Natural Insecticides

When Potato Beetles eat the leaves of your home-grown potato plants, your yield at harvest time can be reduced substantially.

If Bean Beetles decimate the leaves of beans, your first beans picked might be just fine, but the latter beans might be a lost cause.

Aphids can often be found sucking the juices of tender new growth on many flowering shrubs, causing growth to be somewhat stunted. But control measures for aphids are rarely warranted.

Tent caterpillars do an amazing job of building protective webbing around a large section of leaves and stems, creating a safe home for caterpillars to enjoy dinner. But a few colonies of tent caterpillars living in a tree is no cause for alarm. And for those who are bothered by tent caterpillars, the best cure is to grab a long stick and stir up the nest. 

Prior to 2009,when the McGinty government introduced the Cosmetic Pesticide Act, gardeners would apply a variety of insecticides to get rid of a variety of bugs. We have since learned that many insecticides were sprayed unnecessarily.  Furthermore, the application of sprays would often harm beneficial insects as quickly as harmful insects. 

These days, dealing with insects as garden pests has become a simpler issue. Do an internet search on Earwigs, for example, and you will find a host of home-made solutions, most not requiring a bottle of spray. 

For gardeners who can’t find a home-made remedy for harmful or bothersome pests, solutions are available that are environmentally friendly, safe to apply, and effective on the target insect. 

Insecticidal Soap is a commonly used pesticide that is safe to use both indoors and out, on both edible and ornamental plants. The soap is made from distilled water and fatty acids sourced from plants and animals. The spray works on contact with the insect and may need to be reapplied every few days if infestation is heavy.

Insecticides containing permethrins can be used without concern on food crops, on animals, in buildings and outdoors. Sourced from the Chrysanthemum flower, permethrins should be sprayed on contact with the pest, and should be repeated as often as necessary.  Do not use products containing permethrin near bees or fish.  Permethrin is the insecticide of choice for public mosquito control. 

BTK (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki) is a naturally occurring bacteria microorganism that is highly effective to control worms, caterpillars, and sawflies. It can safely be used on vegetables, fruits, flowers and ornamental plants. 

Diatomaceous Earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms. It looks like flour but is very finely ground silicon dioxide that is effective to control any crawling pest. Diatomaceous Earth is not toxic to animals or birds and works like very small particles of glass grinding up the insect when walked upon. Diatomaceous earth needs to be reapplied after rain.