Dallas Morning News – April 15, 2021
Natural Organic Program Works Better
The Natural Organic Program works better in every way. It is easier, safer, better for the environment, more productive and saves money.
Trying to kill all the insects and other pests in the garden or landscape is wrong-headed. The answer to pest problems is not in a bag of toxic chemicals, but in a better understanding of the laws of Nature and a desire to work within those laws. Toxic pesticides kill more beneficials than targeted pests and in most cases pest problems actually increase. No more than 1% of toxic pesticides sprayed at plants ever reach the targeted pests, but do pollute the air, soil, water, good bugs, lizards, frogs, toads, birds, cats, dogs, you, and your family.
Encouraging life is the key to pest control. Using products and techniques that help beneficial insects and microbes is crucial to the success of an organic program.
 Beneficial insects like this hover fly will be present and helping under the Basic Organic Program |
Most insects are beneficial – even those considered pests, like aphids and spider mites, because they are providing a service, telling us by their presence that plants are stressed and sick. Plants become stressed because of real problems like too much or too little sun, too much or too little water, too much or the wrong kind of fertilizer or poor plant selection. Use of high-nitrogen synthetic salt fertilizer is the most common cause of plant stress leading to insect attack and diseases.
Remember that pests are only the symptoms of problems, but occasional pest infestations can be handled with gentle organic products. Insect pests in general can be repelled with garlic and pepper products, or killed if needed with orange oil and botanical products. I have long recommended against some of the common botanical products such as pyrethrum, rotonone and sabadilla because they are too toxic and there are more effective means. Caterpillars, for example, can be controlled with microbe products such as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). Rare disease pathogens can be managed with cornmeal products, hydrogen peroxide, cinnamon, and other non-toxic materials.
 Encouraging Biodiversity in the Garden is the Key to Success |
Troublesome insects should be allowed to control themselves. Nature provides beautiful checks and balances if we allow them to function and, your gardens will look better and be more productive than ever.
 Even some pest insects like aphids are helping by telling us that our plants are in stress |
A critical element of a Natural Organic Program is the establishment and maintenance of biodiversity. Vegetable gardens and landscaping should have a healthy and dynamic mix of insects, microorganisms, flowering plants, birds, and other life. That starts with building soil health with compost, rock minerals and sugars mixed into the native soil.
The Basic Organic Program along with the release of beneficials such as trichogramma wasps and beneficial nematodes will control most insect pests, save water, save money and increase the enjoyment of your gardening and landscaping. See the Texas Bug Book by Howard Garrett and Malcolm Beck for additional information on natural pest control.