Organic Pest Management Solutions

Organic pest management solutions are the key to managing pests in the organic garden. In addition, it lies in encouraging the natural balance of pests and beneficial insects. In this way, the natural predators of the pests will be around to keep the population in check. Also, a good mixture of plant species on the farm encourages a diverse insect population.

There is also increasing evidence that extra or deficiencies of nutrients encourage the quicker buildup of some pests. Aphids, for example, multiply more rapidly when plants are fed excess nitrogen (growing too green). Similarly, some diseases have been known to develop when key micronutrients are deficient.

However, the organic gardener can do a lot to limit pest outbreaks by strategic inter-cropping and by maintaining good soil fertility. Some products can be purchased and used for safe control when outbreaks occur. Natural pesticides can also be made.

Some Difficult Pests

Whiteflies, mites, thrips, and aphids are often very difficult to control. Typically when conditions are right these pests multiply so rapidly that a farmer can be overwhelmed by the high population. Birds, especially the sparrow, can be difficult pests as well. Netting can be very useful in a small garden.

Moreover, slugs are often the unseen enemy. Where mulches are used (except for khus khus grass) slugs can become a problem. But there are many safe products on the shelf nowadays for controlling slugs.

Know your friends (the beneficial creatures)

Ladybirds, as attractive as they look, are voracious predators of some pests, especially aphids. Also, many parasitic wasps keep pest numbers in check. Bees, earthworms and many other creatures have important parts to play in keeping the garden productive.

Under those circumstances, it is important to recognize the beneficial creatures and to avoid killing them or driving them away from the property.

A note on disease Plants which are grown with a good balance of nutrients is less prone to disease. Many diseases also thrive or escalate either in wet or dry conditions. Many diseases that may attack foliage or fruits may be avoided when water is applied only to the roots by drip irrigation. Growers should avoid the urge to wet foliage unnecessarily. Where disease infection increases, there are safe products that can be purchased or made to treat the problem.

Cultural Methods

Mixed cropping

Departure from mono-cropping has advantages for pest control. Companion cropping, alley cropping, rotation, and various planting arrangements help to restrict the rapid establishment of anyone insect as a pest.

Variety selection

Hence get to know which varieties stand up better to pests and diseases.

Neem extract- In virtually every local community park you will find a neem tree. Because neem seeds and leaves contain natural compounds that have insecticidal properties. The compounds have been used in a range of commercial insecticides (e.g. Neemex)

Thuricide

 (e.g. dipel) It contains bacteria of the bacillus type. The bacteria attack and kill caterpillars.

Pepper

Hot pepper is a repellant for many insects. The ingredient in pepper (capsaicin) used in many formulations to repel and disrupt insects. Pepper wax contains, additionally, paraffin wax and plant nutrients to protect from insects while feeding plants.

Garlic

Garlic is very useful as a repellant to a range of insect pests.

Soaps

Insect soap is a contact insecticide, miticide, and fungicide for the control of soft-bodied insects, mites and the fungus, powdery mildew. Because it is based on potassium salts of naturally occurring fatty acids.

Pyrethrin

Pyrethrin is a plant-derived substance that belongs to the chrysanthemum “painted daisy”. It can kill insects rapidly at very low concentrations.

Rotenone

It is a natural plant-derived substance contained in the stems and roots of certain tropical plants, such as the Jewel Vine or Flame Tree. It is an insect stomach and contacts poison.

Citrus extract

These act as repellants. The active ingredient d-Limonene (orange peel extract) can destroy the wax coating of the insectʹs respiratory system. When applied directly, the insect suffocates.

Sticky traps

Used to attract and trap insects.

Baking soda (for diseases)

This is useful for controlling fungi (usually 5% by volume in water and sometimes mixed with horticultural oil).

In the next article, you can know about “How To Make Natural Pesticide at home”