Eco-Friendly vs. Toxic Pest Control

     Toxic pest control can often do more bad than good. The use of toxic pest control can actually kill good insects as well as bad. This is negative because insects are needed to control each other. By using the pests you have on hand you can encourage pest fighting. This naturally takes care of pests and keeps insects around that are good for your lawn and garden.

     Another negative aspect of pest control is the impact it has on the surrounding society. Pesticides can leak into irrigation systems, public water systems, streams, rivers, bays, and more. This is very dangerous for local animals that drink from these areas. Pesticides can be lethal for these animals as well as for you and your pets. These pesticides can affect your health. If they aren’t good for the environment they certainly aren’t safe for you!

     There are alternatives to toxic pest control. Many of these alternatives completely omit the use of pesticides. These techniques are beneficial to the environment, and often work better than any toxic chemicals you have used in the past.

     The use of local plant life is a great way to avoid pests that you feel are negative to your home environment. If you have clay soil in a hot area, you need to plant a tree that is adapted to clay soil in a hot area. Insects recognize imbalance. Insects are capable of recognizing that a plant is out of balance and will attack it.

     It is a good idea to use many types of plant species, creating diversity in your garden. Having only one kind of plant will create a garden that is not only vulnerable to disease, but is also a key target to insect attack. Try layering your garden by using a multitude of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, and annuals. Try various textures, pollens, nectars, and heights. Also try different types of grasses. Integrate compost and clover to use naturally-occurring nitrogen.

     If possible, reduce your lawn space. More lawn space means more pesticide. Smaller lawns are more easily controlled by eco-friendly pest control.

     It is possible to introduce beneficial bugs. Useful insects will cut down on other pests. Introducing new insects will introduce them into a pest fighting process. Lace wings and ladybugs are a good way to install long term insect families that will fight pests.

     Attracting birds to your property will also allow for the birds to fight your pest problem for you. Some birds eat insects as their main source of protein, and also feed bugs to their young. It is first necessary to find out which kind of bird you need for your bug infestation. Once you’ve figured out your bird situation, you can learn how to attract them.

     • Barn swallows- mosquitoes and flying insects.

     • Purple martins- mosquitoes and most flying insects.

     • Bluebirds- grasshoppers, crickets, ground beetles, spiders and caterpillars.

     • Robins- grubs, weevils and various types of beetles.