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Biological Pest Control

September 24th, 2008

Biological Pest Control


Biological pest control is a double edged sword. Biological controls can be an environmental disaster, or they can be a safe and effective alternative to other methods that might present other problems. The pivot point on this issue is the point of origin of the biological agent.

This is easy to illustrate in the case of exotic vegetation. When invasive exotic vegetation invades an area, it’s natural predators normally don’t come along for the ride. The plant was not invasive in it’s natural habitat, probably as a result of those predators, and it’s natural habitat. Once the plant migrates to a fertile region, with long growing seasons, and other advantages, it will thrive in that area. One method for dealing with this problem is by introducing it’s natural predators. The problem with this method is that we now have 2 non native biological life forms in the region. It is not likely, but is possible, that the biological pest control, can itself, become a pest problem.

The safe method is to encourage native predators to take care of the problem. In the case of problematic insects, birds and bats can be encouraged by providing shelter and meeting their other needs. This is the best method of biological pest control.

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Posted in Biological pest control, Bugs and weeds, Exotic weeds, Green pest control, green pest control practices, Insects, IPM, Native predators, Natural pest control, Non native predators, Non toxic pest control, Pest control, Pest prevention, Weeds

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Non Toxic Pest Control

September 20th, 2008

Non Toxic Pest Control


Non toxic pest control cannot be accomplished with pesticides, whether those toxins are chemical or natural. All pesticides are toxic, they cannot be made non toxic. Any product with the greek word “cide” attached to the end is dangerous! It may not present extreme danger, but it does imply at least that something is intended to die as a result of it’s use. They are not non toxic pest control!

This is true of both commercial chemicals, and the so called “non toxic”, botanical pesticides. They are all intended to kill something, and in the wrong situation, at the wrong time, they can all be dangerous to human beings. Nerve damage that results from pyretherins such as ground chrysanthemums, is just as permanent as nerve damage done by synthetic pyretheroids. Non toxic pest control should be, well, non toxic.

There is a way to accomplish non toxic pest control, without the use of any toxins of any type, and really, without any sprays, powders, granules, mists, or compounds of any type. This Type of pest control is accomplished through understanding the nature of pests, and dealing with them accordingly by altering the environment.

These environmental alterations include such things as mechanical controls like removal, (mowing weeds before they reach seeding stage) and exclusion, (sealing doors, windows, plumbing). It may involve the introduction of native species to control pest problems, which would be considered a biological control, and changing the makeup of the plant life in an area to bring it in line with a more native habitat for the same reason.

This non toxic form of pest control should be the basis for any sound integrated pest management program, and is the best place to start in any home program. The pest control program is simply, pest prevention. This site is dedicated to pest prevention and it’s use as the primary method of non toxic pest control.

We are not opposed to the use of pest control products. The judicious use of these products may be needed, but, with good pest prevention practices, are needed far less, and far less often.

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Posted in Bugs and weeds, Green pest control, green pest control practices, IPM, Mosquito prevention, Mosquitoes, Natural pest control, Non toxic pest control, Pest control, Pest prevention, Pesticides

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Natural Pest Control | Pest Prevention

September 20th, 2008

Natural Pest Control | Pest Prevention


Natural pest control, at least as it is portrayed on the internet, is a potpourri of often competing ideas. The ideas range from some fairly sound practices, to some downright bizarre suggestions involving almost voodoo like practices. Those are the extremes, and most of the advice in the middle, is collections of suggestions with such things as using mouthwash as a mosquito repellent, dish soap and water to prevent mosquito breeding, and other similar ideas. Some of them do work, but sorting through them can be a tedious, if somewhat humorous experience. Some of them do not even qualify as natural pest control. Some do not qualify as pest control at all!

If you want to achieve a pest free home environment using natural pest control, there are some simple steps that you can take that will help. These are things that should be done anyway, so you will be doing yourself a favor by preempting the “honey do” list. Before you hire a Shaman, or drag out the Listerine, buy a ton of products claiming to be organic and natural, or throw up your hands in frustration and call the exterminator, give these simple, natural pest control practices a try, and you will be well on your way toward freedom from pests!

Pest prevention, the most natural pest control

We can never live a completely pest free existence, but we can make it a lot more comfortable by following a few simple rules.

  • For pest free property: Start your prevention at the rough edges, the outer areas of your property. Brush and debris control, will provide a clear zone starting with the parameter of your property to move the pests further away from you. Then follow the directions bellow:
  • For a pest free landscape: Good landscape practices will go a long way toward reaching your natural pest control goals. Use pest resistant plants, these are usually native plants. Mulch carefully with weed seed free products, don’t over water. When pruning trees, do it right so that pest, fungus and disease don’t have an entry inside the tree.
  • For a pest free lawn: Use proper lawn care techniques such as correct mowing practices. Mow more often, use sharp blades. Use other good lawn care cultural practices such as watering less, only fertilize enough to keep the lawn healthy, don’t fertilize too late in the year, don’t aerify to late in the year. Clean mower between “roughs” and lawn.
  • For a pest free garden: Use bug resistant varieties, make sure that the amendments you use are free of weed seeds. You have now taken steps to keep pests off your property, out of your landscape, lawn, and garden, and that should reduce the numbers available to assault your home.

These steps are just the basics, a short outline of natural pest control using pest prevention as the starting point. Get creative in your thinking of how to carry them out. Use the program outlined on this site to find more natural pest control ideas, by starting with How To Use This Site.

If you start your program with pest prevention, you will have fewer pests to deal with when using other forms of natural pest control such as botanical pesticides. It will save you money, and be better for the environment.

We like to say that pest prevention is the greenest form of pest control. It is also the most natural pest control method. There are pages of detailed instructions and ideas on this site.

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Posted in Bugs and weeds, Green pest control, green pest control practices, IPM, Mosquitoes, Natural pest control, Pest prevention

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