Listed below are some necessary and important steps that can be taken to attain food that is free of inorganic chemical sprays.

1.  KEEP PLANTS HEALTHY

Provide a vigorous planting medium consisting of a good mixture of organic material, nutrients and soil. Nutrients should be consistently replenished to help plants recover from insect attacks.

2.  ENCOURAGE BENEFICIAL INSECTS

Provide appropriate environmental conditions to attract beneficial insects that prey on other organisms (pest) that are harmful to the crop.   A common example is a ladybird feeding on aphids.

3.  PRATICE COMPANION PLANTING

Interplant between crops, plants that deter insects.

A common example is to plant onions, chives and garlic with cauliflower and cabbage. 

4.  PRACTICE MULCHING

Cover the soil’s surface with organic mulches such as dried grass clippings or shredded newspaper. This practice in addition to trapping soil moisture, will deter the growth of weeds which harbor pests.    

NON- CHEMICAL PEST CONTROL METHODS

Hand picking pests is one of the most underrated means of pest control. However it is one of the most effective means used to control pests. An example of this is crushing the cabbage white butterfly in its egg stage or picking the pest in its larval stage (caterpillar). However; when the population is too large, hand picking will have a low impact, and other methods can be used. These include:

TRAPS

Bowls containing stale beer can be placed in the garden. This would attract snails and slugs which crawl into the beer and eventually drown.

Bright yellow boards smeared with petroleum jelly or glue can be placed near pest infested plants. These insects would then be attracted to the board and be ensnared. Sticky traps can be used to catch whiteflies and aphids.

BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROLS

This is a method used to control pests based on predation, parasitism, herbivory or other natural mechanisms. An example of such is the use of wasps to control white flies. The bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis can be used to control the cabbage worm.

NATURAL PESTICIDE SPARYS

Natural sprays can be made by mixing separately or combing, garlic, neem, hot pepper or soap with water.

TRY ONE!

Described below is an example of an organic pesticide that can be homemade.

GARLIC SPRAY

Ingredients:

1 garlic bulb

1 quart of boiling water

1 medium onion

1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon liquid dish soap

Method:

Finely mince the garlic and onion. Mix all ingredients except the soap and leave to stew for one hour. Add the soap and you are finished. Your spray is now ready to be used! The spray can be kept in the fridge for one week.

The recipe outlined above can also be used to create a hot pepper spray. Just change the main ingredient to hot pepper.

Do enjoy farming with a difference!

Comments (2)

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NEEM
written by JLA, September 21, 2010

HOW ABOUT NEEM MIXTURES. IT DOES RUN AWAY SOME PEST AND IT HAS A AWFUL SCENT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SNAILS THEY RUN AND THEN RETURN QUICKLY AFTER SOME RAIN. REALLY SMALL SO I AM NOT SURE IF THEY ARE THE GIAN AFRICAN SNAIL. SO REQUESTING YOUR HOMEMADE MIXTURE FOR NEEM.

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neem
written by tallman, March 06, 2013

the key with neem is to blend it in the required amount of water with a couple drops of mild liquid soap, then use within 15 mins of mixing. This prevents stratification of the neem/water mix, and the soap acts as a surfactant allowing for better adhesion of the mix to the plant. p.s always spray neem in the afternoon or at night to prevent burning of the plant by the sun.

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