Controlling Pests With Organic Gardening

The concept of organic gardening pest control isn't new; actually, it's as old as farming itself. Unfortunately, since World War II, synthetic pesticides have supplanted organic pest control in technologically advanced countries. These pesticides harm both the environment and those who consume the plants on which they are sprayed. The return to organic gardening pest control and choosing to reject or restrict made-made pesticides is very popular with people today. There are different convictions on the use of these goods, with some persons resisting their use only on food plants, while other ones easily try to decrease their use as much as possible.

Logic and good sense will tell you there are many reasons to use organic methods to keep pests out of your plants. One of the most important things about this is that because of the absence of pesticides when the insect pests are left alone genetically they are not in a position to become resistant "super bugs". Organic methods tend to be less polluting and blend into the ecosystem around it instead of disrupting it. In addition, because many of the pesticides that are available are derivatives of petrochemicals, their costs are higher, thus making alternatives more attractive. Whatever the reasons may be for avoiding their use, the organic gardener has to be prepared to work in order to make up for the loss of those chemical products that he chooses to abstain from using.

Organic gardeners have several effective, non-chemical methods that they can utilize to control garden pests. One of the easiest ways to avoid pest problems is by varietal selection, which entails choosing seed varieties that have been bred to be resistant to pests and diseases. The cultural control method of organic gardening pest control involves changing your gardening methods in order to reduce the hospitality that your garden offers to pests. This may mean removing or burning diseased plant material and destroying weeds and plan debris that provide hiding places for insects. Using stakes to keep fruits off the ground as well as pruning to remove diseased limbs, removing sickly plants, proper building of the soil, and making sure the plants are in raised areas in rainy seasons also help control diseases and pests. Crop rotation can also help in the prevention of disease and in pest control.

Although it takes longer to eradicate pests with these methods, in the long run they are safer and even prevent pests from attacking other crops in the area as well. Although organic gardening pest control may present a longer and more strenuous process, it is well worth the time and effort.