Organic gardening is safer and greener than conventional gardening. Still, there are garden pests to be dealt with. Insects, rodents, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, and birds are a few of the pests you can encounter.
If you live in a strictly urban area, you will likely not have to deal with the rabbits, raccoons, and opossums, but the insects, rodents, and birds will be quite enough to keep you busy. Insects can spread diseases, such as viruses. Other
diseases breed in certain environmental conditions, such as high humidity. The spores of some diseases are spread by wind and rain. All this will have to be controlled in order to have a successful gardening experience.
Natural Pest Control for Insects and Diseases
There is a variety of natural pest control chemicals that can be on insects and diseases. The latest and greatest of these is Neem oil. Made from the Neem tree, it controls most insects and many diseases, such as fungal infections. It is sold as a liquid concentrate to be diluted and sprayed onto the plants.For caterpillars, there is a natural bacterial control called Bacillus Thuringiensis, or BT, which comes in spray or dust form. It's also the active ingredient in mosquito dunks for your ponds. This bacteria, while completely safe to humans and most mammals, is toxic to caterpillars and worms.
Natural insect controls such as insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, Rotenone, Sabadilla, and Pyrethrins are all useful. Nicotine is one that should be used on non-edibles only, due to toxicity.
If you're looking for a less expensive natural insect pest control alternatives, there are many recipes for homemade sprays made with everyday items, such as dish soap, oil soap, vegetable oil, pepper, baking soda, milk, and even chopped up insects.
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