BILLY’S Photo courtesy of Pixabay
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STOP USING PESTICIDES Because of the harm that can be caused by pesticides, it's best to simply stop using them. If you have nuisance insects in your yard, there are natural approaches to curbing them. Pesticides kill both harmful and beneficial bugs, so you miss out on the benefits many "good" insects provide. Good bugs include dragonflies, honeybees, ladybugs and butterflies. "Bad" bugs like grasshoppers, aphids, fire ants, grubs, snails, chiggers, centipedes and mosquitoes can harm your plants and annoy humans. How can you reduce bad bugs without pesticides, while helping the "good bugs"?
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Plant flowers to support pollinators Provide fresh water for good bugs and bug-killing birds Add mulch to offer shade for plant-friendly insects Use apple cider vinegar or cedar oil as bug repellent Spray neem oil on infestations Repel mosquitoes with crushed parsley, rosemary oil or citronella candles
} Grow insect-repellent plants like marigolds, lemongrass, fennel, basil or thyme
} Hang a bird feeder for bug-eating birds } Hose visible bugs like aphids and caterpillars off plants
Tips
ne of the biggest concerns this time of year is blight and fungus which spread rapidly in hot, humid weather. Try copper fungicide or neem oil, made from the seeds of the neem tree, to address blight and fungus issues before they even start. The best part? They’re completely safe for you and your plants. To prevent blight and fungus, remember to water your plants in the morning, directly on the soil, to keep them hydrated in the hot afternoon sun. Contrary to popular belief, watering at night can actually be detrimental to plants as they’ll stay wet all night long, breeding blight and fungus. If insects are bothering your plants, there are a variety of products that eliminate pests without the use of harsh chemicals. Pyrethrum, insecticidal soap, and neem oil all kill pests by attacking the insect’s digestive system. But did you know pyrethrum and neem oil both occur naturally in the environment? Pyrethrum effectively kills most insects while insecticidal soaps and neem oil are commonly used to control pests like mites and aphids. Insecticidal soap can also be used as a leaf wash to control mold. But before you spray, be sure to check the label as certain plants, like Japanese maples and azaleas, can be sensitive to these soaps. Bacillus thuringiensis, commonly known as Bt, is naturally found in soil and targets specific insects, like earworms. Spinosad is also a bacteria in soil and can be used to control a variety of insects, including caterpillars and fruit flies. Spinosad is available in spray, dust, granule, and pellet form. Whichever pesticide you choose, remember to treat your plants early in the morning or at night, as it should not be applied when plants will be exposed to direct sunlight. Other options, like beneficial nematodes and cheesecloth, can help address pest issues naturally. Introduce beneficial nematodes into your soil to kill immature stages of garden pests. In the event of an insect invasion, cover your plants with cheesecloth to protect your plants from harmful insects while allowing water, air, and sunlight to get through. When in doubt, stop by your local garden center. We’re always happy to help! Edited by: Jamie Bowman
Canfield’s Pet & Farm
315 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA JUNE/JULY 2020 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 33 (570) 421-1821
