Organic Pest Control
One of the most challenging aspects of organic gardening is that of finding alternative natural ways to deal with pest and insect problems. Conventional gardeners tend to resort to the use of popular chemical products (insecticides) for insect control.
While, on the surface, this seems harmless enough, the effects (while often not obvious) are actually very dangerous and far reaching.
If you're not using organic pest control measures, the immediate consequence, is that the fruit, vegetables, and herbs that you eat (and are feeding your family) contain a residue of that same toxic chemical that you used for killing the insects.
(Yum! Would you like another serving?)
As you're considering Organic gardening, and Organic Pest Control measures, a few things to think about...
Why use organic pest control?
- When using insecticides, a portion of the insecticide stays within the soil in your garden. Next year's garden then soaks up the chemicals into the plants as they grow and produce your fruit and vegetables. As the pest population comes out again, you dust or spray the garden again. So, more residue builds up in the soil. The cycle just keeps growing. The more you use, the greater the residue in the soil. The greater the residue in the soil, the greater the residue in your own food.
- The insecticide that doesn't stay in the soil gets washed away with the rain (and snowmelt). It washes into your local streams, river systems, and lakes where they pollute the waters. The wildlife (fish, insects that feed the fish, and birds) are affected, with such problems as weakened immune systems and birth defects. Let's not forget that many lakes are used as reservoirs for human water consumption.
If you're in a city, the insecticide likely washes into your storm sewer. Often, this water ends up at the water-treatment plant. The treatment plants processes don't always remove these chemicals. Thus they're passed back to your family for consumption once again.
- Insecticides remove more than just the harmful insects. They also eliminate "good" or beneficial insects.
- Insecticides can affect more than just insects. Many of the beautiful birds we love to watch in our gardens, are affected very harshly by these chemicals. Sometimes, it kills or sickens the bird directly. Other times, it affects their reproductive process, such that attempts at offspring aren't successful.
Organic pest control or through natural measures, is certainly more time consuming. However, it is a healthy and community focused way of gardening responsibly that will reward you, your family and your community for years to come.
Organic Gardening
