Traditional pesticides can be harmful. Exposure to toxic chemicals during application is common. Pets or kids who play in the yard risk unsafe chemical contact. And what’s more, beneficial garden insects often die along with the bad ones.
If traditional pesticides are bad for your garden, what options do homeowners have to prevent pests? Here are a few alternative methods to keep pests at bay while helping your plants thrive.
Go green
Environmentally-friendly pest control solutions avoid the use of harsh synthetic chemicals.
When you opt for organic pesticides, you won’t have to worry about bodily contact with detrimental substances or the rain washing those chemicals into local waterways.
Once you realize the dangers of synthetic pesticides, you can explore natural methods to eradicate pests.
Synthetic pesticide dangers
Pesticides come in a wide array of forms, such as powders, sprays, granules and aerosols. Unfortunately, many of them are very harsh on both people and the environment.
Synthetic pesticides are human-made and are mass-produced for sale, with no thought given to the harmful impact they place on families and nature. A few of these risk include:
- Killing off beneficial insects
- Leaving residual chemicals behind that can remain for years
- Animals that eat treated plants or insects introducing bad chemicals into the food chain
Pesticide sprays hit areas where people, pets, and wildlife also like to congregate. Think about it: Would you rather let your child run through a lawn treated with poisonous chemicals, or a lawn that uses natural or organic methods that pose no harm?
The answer is obvious. And thankfully, “green” pesticide alternatives can combat the insects that are detrimental to your home’s landscaping and outdoor space.
Natural pesticide solutions for lawn and garden
Do natural pesticides work as effectively as synthetic products when it comes to pest control? The answer is yes. Many gardeners swear by organic-based pesticides for keeping everything from aphids to mosquitoes at bay.
Before delving into some safe pesticide options for your lawn and garden, let’s look at two ways a homeowner can tackle the problem.
DIY or pest control service?
Many homeowners choose to purchase or make environmentally-safe pesticides and perform a DIY application. Others prefer to use an eco-conscious pest control service.
While DIY pesticides can be cost-effective to make or buy, there’s still the responsibility of buying ingredients, prep, doing the initial application, and continuing regular maintenance to deter pests from returning.
The need to keep a vigilant eye on your plants and the calendar dramatically reduces the value of DIY treatments, especially if you lead a busy lifestyle.
Using a pest control service that cares about its chemical footprint brings many benefits. Since ticks carry many diseases and love to live in grassy areas where pets and children play, having a dependable treatment solution is crucial for the overall safety of your family.
Another benefit of using a service is that you don’t have to keep track of when it’s time to reapply pesticide. The company automatically comes at the optimal time for retreatment, so your yard and garden space is always enjoyable.
In one trip, a pest-control service can quickly treat an array of issues while keeping the air, ground, and surfaces around your home safe.
Most effective green or organic pesticides
Neem Oil
Oil from the neem tree is powerful when it comes to warding off pests. It contains over 50 naturally-occurring insecticides that can eradicate many common garden pests and is a top ingredient in both homemade and commercial natural pesticides.
Make a neem oil spray by using two quarts of warm water and stirring in 1/2 ounce of organic neem oil and 1/2 teaspoon of organic liquid soap. Use the mixture immediately.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium and chrysanthemum coccineum flowers contain a chemical called pyrethrum. When this chemical enters the nervous system of insects, it causes paralysis and renders them immobile until they die. Pyrethrum is another common natural ingredient in commercial and residential pesticides, especially those formulated to control mosquitoes, flies, ants and fleas.
Make a spray by boiling 1/2 cup of dried flowers into four-and-a-half cups of water for twenty minutes. Cool and strain out the flowers, then pour into a spray bottle. The spray remains effective for up to two months.
Cedar oil
Much like neem oil, cedar oil is another effective, non-toxic pest repellent. The impact is even more significant when this oil is mixed with other natural pesticide ingredients.
This natural pesticide works on over 15 pests, including ticks, chiggers, roaches, mosquitoes, and gnats. And it doesn’t cause any harm to butterflies, bees, humans, or the environment. Find organic pesticide options that work for you to keep everybody safe and healthy.