Video - Why Organic Pest Control Is the Wrong Solution

Here is a very brief but well-conceived video on why controlling pests using natural insecticides is the wrong focus. Phil Nauta, also known as "The Smiling Gardener" explains why focusing on killing bugs - even by natural means - is short-sighted and misses the root cause of the problem altogether.

Check it out, and to learn more about Phil's methods and philosophy, just click the link below the video.

Organic Pest Control - Why It's The Wrong Solution
Today I'm talking about organic pest control. The natural pest control industry for gardens is doing pretty well. That's a good thing, we don't want to be using these toxic products anymore. But there are a few issues still with this.

Click Here For More From The Smiling Gardener.... 

 

How Natural Is Natural Insecticide? A Philosphical Debate

There have been many advances in the field of natural insecticides.  Some would say that some of the advancements are not for the better.  This is because the natural insecticide is not exactly in the state that nature gave it to us in.  So, just how natural is natural insecticide? 

Nature (Photo credit: joaoloureiro)

Sustainable gardeners who grapple with this issue are those who seek to do their part in keeping the natural world in balance.  They believe that the earth is an ecological system in which every living entity has a part to play.  They have a strict idea of what natural insecticide is. 

They don't have faith in a system where the balance is upset by one species.  They believe that man's emphasis on technological progress is damaging to the planet by its very nature.  These people are extremely uncomfortable with biotechnology and its creation of "natural insecticide" to kill off a pest species in the garden. 

Then, there are those who don't agree that there is balance or harmony in nature.  They see the world as a constantly changing system where new developments are always coming along.  Advancements in natural insecticide are only one of them.

The people who see the world as ever-changing, the naturalists, are more likely to recognize the destructiveness of nature.  They recognize that hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes, are devastating occurrences.  Famine and disease can also be caused by nature. 

For this reason, naturalists see the world as something to be explored and understood. They believe that a human being has intelligence in order to do a part in advancing the health of the planet.  Part of this is in further development of natural insecticides and other such "improvements". 

These naturalists believe that biotechnology can produce products just as natural as any other natural insecticide.  They don't see the difference in using biotechnology for agriculture and using laboratory science to make pharmaceuticals, for instance.  They see biotechnology for natural insecticide as a good thing. 

European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Photo by Keith Weller. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Naturalists are more likely to see the similarities between biotechnology and the cross-breeding of plants and animals that has been done for centuries.  We have always used this method, if not this particular technique. 

A similar issue is bioengineered crops such as Bt corn.  Bacillus thurengiensis is a natural insecticide that has been used for many years.  Now, it is being put into the genetic structure of corn.  This makes the corn resistant to insects. While those with a more sustainable view see this as messing with the natural order of things, and potentially harmful to our health, the naturalists believe that Bt corn is a normal advancement. 

What do you think? Are we just using our God-given intelligence to make the world a better place through eliminating harmful pests, or are we overstepping by presuming that "bad" bugs don't have a place in the environment?

Feel free to share your view in the comments below!

Video - One More Easy & Natural Pesticide Recipe

Here's a quick video from a friendly Aussie on another natural pesticide recipe you can use in your garden to control pests naturally. This one contains only water and a couple of different oils, so it is very safe, and easy to make - you don't even need a blender or anything like that for this one. Check it out, and if it works for you, we'd love to hear your experiences - or suggestions for your own recipes that you've used successfully to control pests in your organic garden!

Natural Pest Control For Your Vegetable Garden
besthealthever.com BUGS, BUGS, BUGS. They've been eating a lot of my lettuce, kale & spinach lately. So I thought it was time to do some research on natural pest control & here's what I found out. You don't need to use any chemicals, not that I would...

The Importance of Natural Pesticides In Your Garden

If you're reading this blog, it's probably no surprise to you that chemical pesticides are an environmental and health hazard.  Large scale commercial farmers use chemicals to kill bugs that harm their crops.  While it’s understandable to want to protect crops and maximize production, it shouldn’t be at the expense of your health or our water supply.  The good news is there are sustainable practices to keep slugs and bugs and other unwanted pests off your garden fruits and vegetables. 

Make Your Own Natural Pesticides

* To combat caterpillars, aphids, and several types of worms, mix together a gallon of water and a cup of tobacco.  Allow the mixture to set for a day, until it resembles weak tea.  Spray on your garden vegetables.  However, steer clear of your peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, or any other member of the solanaceous family, as the tobacco spray can kill them.

Various land slugs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

* To combat slugs and a number of other insects, mix together one minced garlic bulb, one minced onion, one quart of water, a tablespoon of cayenne pepper and a tablespoon of dish soap.  Spray veggies to protect against bugs. (For more recipes, check back Thursday.) 

Other garden pest deterrents include:

* Mechanical devices for soft-bodied pests.  Slugs and snails can destroy a garden faster than you can say slime.  However, there are a number of measures to get rid of them.  A pan of beer, copper wire, salt, egg shells, hair, and sharp rocks or shingles all deter or destroy slugs and snails without the use of chemicals.

* Carnivorous bugs.  Ladybugs are wonderful for your garden.  They eat aphids, scales, and mites.

* Finally, many plants work quite well to repel bugs from your garden.  Some examples include:
 - Marigolds repel nematodes, Mexican bean beetles, squash bug, thrips, tomato hornworms, and whitefly
 - Geraniums repel cabbage worms and leaf hoppers
 - Mint repels ants and aphids, and the cucumber beetle. 

What about chemical pesticides?

Environmental contamination with pesticides (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chemical pesticides (and there are well over 9,000 different acceptable pesticides approved by the FDA) have a number of health implications. 

* Pesticides can be carcinogenic
* Pesticides can cause infertility
* Pesticides can cause neurological complications
* Pesticides can cause birth defects

And a whole lot more. Scientists are only beginning to understand the level of contamination and how pesticides are affecting our health, the health of our children and our planet.  

Reduce or eliminate the damage pesticides can cause by buying organic whenever possible and by using natural pesticides when you grow your own fruits and vegetables.  No one likes a bug-infested garden; however, it takes just a few simple steps to send these bugs running for the high hills.

For 5 safe and natural home-made pesticide recipes you can make yourself to protect your garden, be sure to check back Thursday!

Natural Insecticide Recipes

As promised, here are links to some natural insecticide recipes you can make yourself, at home, to control pests in your garden without using harmful chemicals. The first one offers two good recipes, and you may also wish to watch the video - the guy is a little goofy, but if you watch the whole thing (it's only about 6 minutes), it really does give you some interesting food for thought....

BEST RAW ORGANIC : ) | The BEST Natural Pesticide Spray For Your ...
First, an enjoyable video with Mike Adams regarding the “toxic” canola and soybean oil in pesticides. Then, scroll down to see one of the BEST NATURAL PESTICIDE SPRAY recipes that you can cheaply and easily make for ...
Publish Date: 06/29/2011 15:16
http://bestraworganic.com/the-best-natural-pesticide-spray-for-your-garden/

Homemade Pesticide Recipes
This is the safest natural pesticide for any home gardener and is effective on a variety of bugs and insects. Mix 3 tablespoons of liquid detergent into a gallon of water. Use in a sprayer bottle for houseplants. ...
Publish Date: 06/24/2011 21:27
http://www.flamencosessions.com/homemade-pesticide-recipes/

Natural Pesticides: Recipes & Tips : TipNut.com
Natural Pesticides: Recipes. Rhubarb Leaf Pesticide Spray. 1 cup rhubarb leaves 6.5 cups water 1/4 cup liquid dish detergent or soap flakes. Cover rhubarb leaves with water and bring to a boil. ...
Publish Date: 06/30/2009 11:50
http://tipnut.com/natural-pesticides/

Organic Pest Control Recipes - Natural Healthy Solutions
Organic pest control recipes and products don't contain chemical pesticides or man-made chemicals. They rely on natural ingredients that do not persist in nature the way chemical pesticides do. In fact, organic products ...
Publish Date: 07/28/2011 22:00
http://natureshealthysolutions.com/organic-pest-control-recipes/

 

Related Articles:

• Homemade Organic Pesticides That Work (lewrockwell.com)

Why Use Natural Insecticides?

Some say that a natural insecticide cannot, by its nature, be as effective as a synthetic one.  Chemical insecticides are used often by large farms, in order to quickly control insects in a large section of plants.  So, why should you choose to use a natural insecticide?

Image via WikipediaFirst, there is an abundance of plants that can be used for their insecticidal properties.  Over 1500 are presently being used for control of pests.  This provides a variety of methods to get rid of unwanted insects.  There are many factors that will determine which kind of natural insecticide you will use.  Some are more inexpensive.  Some are more easily obtained than others.  Some are safer to humans and pets.  If you decide to use a natural insecticide, you will have many choices. 

Most types of natural insecticide are biodegradable.  This means that when the substance has served its purpose, it doesn't stick around to cause damage to the environment.  It is washed away with the rain.  It degrades and becomes a part of the soil with no harmful residue.  A natural insecticide is often used when there is concern about a synthetic insecticide that is sold commercially.  A synthetic insecticide can contain poisons and toxins that are not found in a natural insecticide.  These can be harmful to living things other than the insects they were intended for, so it is not a good choice for sustainable gardening. 

Synthetic chemical insecticides often contain ingredients that kill beneficial insects.  These insects may be bees that pollinate fruits and vegetables.  They may be ladybugs or butterflies, which are also helpful to have in a garden.  A natural insecticide will usually leave beneficial insects safe.  One downside of using a natural insecticide is cost.  Many that are sold in garden centers are more expensive than their synthetic counterparts.  If you can, you may be willing to pay the extra cost.  Yet, if you can't afford a natural insecticide that is sold in a store, you have the option of making your own. 

Image via WikipediaThe use of synthetic chemical insecticides has long been associated with a variety of chronic health conditions.  The advantage of using a natural insecticide is that these conditions rarely occur with their use.  When you use a natural insecticide, you can be sure that your produce will be safe to eat.  All you need to do is to make sure that you follow instructions.  Find out how long to wait after application of the natural insecticide to harvest. 

Another advantage of natural insecticides is that they don't use fossil fuels.  Many of the chemical varieties do.  Also, if you use a natural insecticide that is locally available, you will save on transportation costs.  There are countless recipes for people to use to make natural insecticide on their own.  You can look on the internet, or in your local library or bookstore for the recipes.  These allow you to make inexpensive yet effective natural insecticides for your own use.  (We even post "recipes" for these here on our blog from time to time.)

If you're looking for a reason to use a natural insecticide, you will find several.  Safety of plants and animals, environmental protection, and ease of use are only a few.  A natural insecticide is truly a viable alternative to chemicals. 

Some Examples of Natural Insecticides:
    

Wise Use of Natural Insecticides

This time of year, organic gardeners are enjoying their vibrantly growing gardens, and maybe not so much enjoying seeing their beautiful plants being eaten by pests! Many natural insecticides are now available on the market, but there are a few things to consider before using them.

Image by Jason A. Samfield via FlickrThe word natural sounds safe and welcoming.  It indicates that something is safe because it comes from nature - it sounds like something you can trust.  But anything used in excess can become a negative thing.  Anything used in the wrong way or in the wrong combination can become harmful.  So it is with natural insecticides.

Wise use means using responsibly.  Wise use means you know how the product can be harmful so that you make no mistakes with it.  Natural insecticides have become more popular as the concern about the earth's safety and preservation has become more and more prevalent.  But natural insecticides can still be damaging to pets, to plants, and even to people if used improperly.

You have to know the proper application, how much to use at a time (more is not always best), and what precautions to take while you are using the insecticide.  If you plan your garden wisely, you may not even need insecticides at all. There are certain plants that repel insects, and many good insects that can safely dispose of the not-so-good ones.

Image via WikipediaFor example, many people think wasps are bad.  And they can be if someone is allergic to them and gets stung.  They can be if a mischievous child irritates them just to see how angry they can get.  But wasps are also good for our environment.  They are not just insects that can harm; they are a positive force as biological control for our agricultural crops.  They help keep caterpillars under control.  If you wonder why this is helpful, ask the farmer or gardener whose crops are ruined by the caterpillars.  If the crops suffer, we suffer as prices rise because of the damage that is done to reduce availability.  Developing a pest management program is wiser than over-use of pesticides, whether they are natural or not.   If you must use a pesticide because of the location of the wasps or because they have become out-of-control around your home or property, at least wise up about the best way to do so.

There are natural insecticides that are so toxic that we must cover our faces to avoid ingestion while using them.  One such product is the dust of diatomaceous earth.  Even though it is a form of calcium, and calcium is a useful mineral, we must take care when applying it for insect control.  The minute particles are not good for our lungs.  Any dust that is inhaled excessively can be harmful. (I use this one a lot - it's not so hard to keep from inhaling it - just be sure not to apply when it is windy!)

Rotenone is a botanical insecticide extracted from the roots of certain plants in Asia and South America.  If you use this substance unwisely, you can damage your fish and beneficial insects.  It causes stomach poison in insects, acts slowly, and loses effectiveness a week after being used on the plants.  But if you inhale unsafe amounts of this insecticide, you could be sick longer than a week.  Wise use of it can control aphids, some beetles, fleas, lice, and some caterpillars.  So, if you don't want to hurt your butterfly population, you may want to choose another type of insect control.

Of course, some natural insecticides are more harmful than others. Some can be very helpful for your garden when other methods have failed. Just remember to always wash your hands, cover your nose and mouth, avoid using them on windy days, and be careful with them around small children and animals.