Pest Control Products

A gardener invests great time and effort in making their gardens productive and beautiful, and so it can be very frustrating when disease and pests strike. Various types of insects can invade the garden, and some insects can be quite destructive.

Prevention must be the focus of any pest control approach. Begin by choosing appropriate plants to the growing conditions of your garden. Keep them healthy so they’re able to endure occasional outbreaks. Lastly, if diseases or pests arise, take simple measures to stop the situation from being uncontrollable.

“Garden Pest Control”

If there’s a strike of pests in the garden, various simple solutions can be done to control them. Before resorting to chemical sprays, think about safer options. Not all insects in the garden are mainly pests; most bugs are beneficial as they prey on other insects. Spraying insecticides may also kill “good bugs” and not just the destructive ones. Chemical pesticides must be the last resort for garden pests.

Some ways to control pests include handpicking slow-moving pests such as snails, caterpillars, and potato beetles; use a forceful water hose-spray to knock-off “soft-bodied” bugs such as leafhoppers, spider mites, and aphids; traps can control apple maggots and coddling moths; import or attract “good insects” like praying mantis and ladybugs to the garden; use nematodes and beneficial bacteria to kill specific pests.

“When All Else Fails”

If after trying more “natural” ways of eliminating pests in the garden the problem still persists, then its time to use some pest control products. Pest control products can come in various types, from strong chemical pest control products like pesticides, to natural pest control products such as insecticide sprays.

Insecticidal Soaps

These types of pest control products can efficiently control leafhoppers, aphids, mealy bugs, scales, and other pests common in gardens. Insecticidal soaps are “non-toxic” to pets and people but also harm “good insects”, so using them carefully is important. Insecticidal soaps can be bought in the market or can be home made. Simply mix one to three teaspoons of liquid “dish soap” with a gallon of water.

Botanical Sprays

A botanical pesticide is a pest control product taken from plants. Some examples of this type include neem oil, pyrethrin, citrus oils, and rotenone. These pesticides break down rapidly in the environment; however, they’re “non-selective” pest killers and may be harmful to animals and people. This must be used cautiously and label directions must always be followed.

Horticultural Oils

Occasionally oils are utilized to smother. It is important to carefully follow instructions on the label, as timing is vital and a number of plants can be sensitive to oil sprays.

Repellants

Repellants are also an option for pest control products. Most repellants are harmless and their aim is to give the plant a very bitter taste to insects that feed on plants. They also repel aboveground creatures like birds, rabbits, porcupines, squirrels, and other animals that may damage plants.

“Small Critter Powders”

There are available pest control products in the market these days that’s taken from “fox urine” processed into powder form. It’s sprinkled around the area of the garden, and can also be sprinkled lightly on top of vulnerable flowers, bushes, and bulbs building a protective repellant strip.

There are other pest control products in the market today intended for different types of pests. Choosing the right pest control product requires identifying the pest, and selecting the ones effective against the pest type, as well as the ones that poses the least risks to the environment and human health.

It is always important to carefully read labels and follow them. Additionally, knowing what possible problems may come up while using the product is crucial. On the whole, pest control products should always be the last resort for controlling garden pests.