Top 10 Alternatives to Chemical Pest Control
1. Keep yard as natural as possible by using less grass, more trees, ground covers, flowers, and mulches.
2. Choose plants that are native to this region. These plants are heartier and more resistant to pests and diseases than exotic varieties. Maintain landscape diversity – Add more types of native plants to encourage beneficial insects and wildlife.
3. Use plants that are well suited to your yard's habitat. Consider drainage, sun exposure and soil type when choosing plants.
4. Prepare a healthy soil base for plants to grow in.
- Test soil for pH and nutrients and add what is needed based on results.
- Add compost and organic fertilizer to your garden each year.
- For lawns – aerate soil, over-seed, and top-dress with compost.
5. Maintain healthy plants and lawn:
- Prune plants to optimize plant's energy sources.
- Shear off dead or diseased portions since they are more attractive to pests.
- Mow no more than 1/3 of grass blade and leave clippings on lawn.
- Water deeply but less frequently.
- Use only slow-release fertilizers.
6. Plant ground covers instead of grass on sloped areas to alleviate mowing, control erosion, and to discourage weeds.
7. Use physical controls to exclude pests:
- Mulch
- Traps
- Sticky Wraps
- Pheromone Bags
- Barriers/Screens
- Floating Row Cover
- Seedling Collars
- Cheesecloth
8. Use biological controls.
- natural diseases such as milky spore disease - a microscopic pathogen that attacks Japanese beetles; available at hardware and garden stores
- beneficial insects - lady bugs, green lacewings, predatory mites, parasitic nematodes; available from various supply houses and insectaries; cannot be used in combination with a pesticide.
9. Use natural pest control products.
- horticultural oils - a safe alternative that has been used since before the pesticide revolution; popular for controlling pests on ornamental plants
- insectidical soap - safe chemical for aphid, mite and whitefly control used by many greenhouses; acts by impairing the waxy layer of insect exoskeletons ad eventual death of the insect
- Neem seed extract - derived from the Neem tree in Africa; works as a repellant, growth regulator and insect poison
diatomaceous earth - derived from fossil remains of algae; used for insect and mite management
10. Use cultural controls
- hand pick weeds
- till the soil in weed areas rather than use herbicides
- diversify landscape - a pest that likes a certain type of plant is less likely to spread if other species are planted in between
Top 10 Tips for Responsible Pesticide Use
- Always read and follow label directions
- Avoid using "weed and feed" formulations
- Use least toxic product with low leaching potential.
- Learn to identify pests and know something about their life cycles and habits.
- Choose a pesticide that will be effective against the target pest.
- More is not better. Buy only the amount needed, use sparingly and calibrate.
- Mix over surfaces where spills can be contained and cleaned up properly.
- Do not apply before heavy rain or during windy conditions.
- Maintain buffers around streams, lakes, storm drains, and ditches.
- Store in a locked, dry place not prone to extreme temperature fluctuations. Dispose of properly.
Mecklenburg County Cooperative Extension Service 704-336-2561
Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities 704-399-2221
City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services 704-336-2673
Mecklenburg County Water and Land Resources 704-336-5500
For more information, call 704-336-5359 x 5 or
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