Thankfully most insects (97%) are either beneficial or benign as far as humans are concerned. Some of those 3% of harmful insects can be troublesome to gardeners. So for the most part, we need spend little energy thinking about insects other than enjoying those flying flowers the butterflies.
Every once and while however, we do find an insect eating up our garden plants. In this case, we should act. But before we pull out the pesticides, let's try some safer alternatives first. Then let's use biorational insecticides. These products are derived from materials that are less harmful to the environment.
Non-Pesticide Insect Controls
- Physical removal – remove insects by hand; drop into soapy water.
- Wash away with a strong stream of water - most insects cannot return to plants after they have been flushed using a strong stream of water.
- Choose a 'biorational insecticide' such as neem oil, azadiractin, Bt, soaps, oils, etc. Learn more about biorational insecticides.
- Insecticidal soaps – Safer Soap and other brands of insecticidal soaps are soapy mixtures designed to irritate.
- Beneficial insects – provide shelter, food, and water; reduce and limit insecticide use.
