Having your own organic garden can be very rewarding. It saves you money on your grocery bill, and most of all you know exactly what you are consuming. No worry of toxic chemicals in your food! Organic gardening means no chemicals of any type are used in the whole process from the time you fertilize the soil and plant your seeds or plants until you put it on your table for your family to eat.
Using safe pest control that wouldn’t harm the environment or your health is extremely important to keep the world safer. Controlling pest that eat or can destroy your garden overnight can be a major challenge, but I have some great and effective solutions to keep you chemical free and pest free.
First, let’s take a look at some of the health risks from chemical pesticides that you could be exposing your family too.
Dangers of Toxic Pesticides:
According to Consumer Reports pesticide studies have linked long-term pesticide exposure increased risk;
- Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease;
- Cancer: Prostate, ovarian, and other cancers;
- Depression;
- Respiratory problems;
- Eye irritation;
- Disrupt hormone development and hormone functions;
- Children are at higher risks since they are still growing and can cause developmental delays and disorder;
- Birth Defects.
Some Safe, Natural, DIY, Non-Toxic Alternative Solutions to controlling pests:
- Diatomaceous Earth food grade is safe to use as a crop dust on any yard or garden plants right up to harvest. There is no chemical activity, so it is completely safe. It is naturally safe produce from Mother Nature. It is white powder made from fossilized diatoms millions of years old. DE is deadly to any insects by cutting the insects exoskeleton and the insect dehydrates and die. It will kill hard-bodied insects as described above, and it also kills soft-bodied larvae in the same manner. Use it to control any food garden pests, such as cabbage loopers, cutworms or beetles. It even kills termites. It will also kill honeybees and beneficial insects, so always use it only as necessary. But is safe for earthworms. Use food grade DE in your garden for insect control.
- Attract friendly birds and bugs to control the bad bugs — Ladybugs that preys on and eats aphids and other. You can attract Ladybugs with flowers such as Marigolds and Sunflowers. You can also purchase ladybugs online.
Praying Mantis is another very beneficial bug that eats a wide variety of invading insects including moths, caterpillars, beetles, and more. They are also attracted by Marigolds, Cosmos, and some tall grasses shrubs.
Birds eat many invaders such as snails, slugs, and caterpillars. Just hang a few birdhouses and feeders around your garden to attract them and it sure will help eliminate many unwanted pests and decrease the need for any insecticide or fungicides.
- Baking Soda Pest Control: This DIY spray works wonderfully on aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and best of all it doesn’t harm the good bugs. It can be used on almost any kind of flower or vegetable.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda;
- 1/3 cup of olive oil or cooking oil;
- 1 cup of water.Mix all ingredients and put in a spray bottle.
Shake thoroughly!!
More baking soda pests control ideas for your garden: Sprinkle baking soda lightly and just occasionally around flower beds to discourage rabbits from nibbling on buds. To eliminate outdoor ants in their dirt mounds try sprinkling baking soda on the mound when it is damp. After about a half-hour, pour a small amount of vinegar (great for cleaning too) on the ant hill. Ants will ingest the combination and their body enzymes will do the rest. Get rid of those pesky backyard slugs by sprinkling baking soda directly over the plants. This will kill slugs by drying them up quickly.
- Organic Neem Oil: Make sure you use organic Neem oil is unique in that it kills insects at all stages — adult, larvae and egg. The active chemical in neem oil is azadirachtin which works a few different ways – an antifeedant, a disruptor, and by smothering. Neem oil is a natural, plant-based, non-toxic, organic product that is a pesticide, fungicide as well as an insecticide. Neem oil is effective that can help control and get rid of over 200 species of insects including mealybugs, aphids, thrips, whiteflies, mites, and Japanese beetles.
Ingredients:
- 4 Tsp. of Organic Cold-Pressed Virgin Neem Oil;
- 1 gallon of water;
- 1/4 Tsp. Eco-friendly liquid soap.
Mix the soap and water and shake well then slowly add the Neem oil while stirring constantly. Use a hand sprayer to apply over plants. Be sure to cover the plants entire foliage, including stem and underside of leaves where insects often hide but try to avoid the buds or blossoms.
- Use Organic Pest Control — If you don’t want to make your own pest control then there are many organic eco-friendly options on the market now as people have become aware of the many health dangers of chemicals. Just check labels very carefully and do your research thoroughly before buying any products. It always better to be safe than sorry!
When you have your own garden and use safe, organic, DIY pest control you don’t have to worry about the health risks and you have the peace of mind that you are feeding your family the best and healthiest foods possible. Having your own fresh produce is so rewarding. Gardening is great exercise and doesn’t it feel just great to get out in the fresh air and sunshine? Even if you have limited space there are so many options to alternative gardening. Check these links or to learn more about the best fruits to grow container garden or how to a successful patio or apartment garden,
Authors Bio: Hi my name is Marla Gates and I believe passionately in living a green, natural and organic lifestyle. I would love you to come join me in my mission to help save our planet and live a healthier, happier life the green and organic way @ https://www.organic4greenlivings.com
