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pesticides

the best action you can take for wildlife is to stop using pesticides. Think of your garden as a small ecosystem. All the living organisms exist in balance. But when we introduce pesticides (chemicals designed to kill) we alter this balance in two ways:

• Pesticides often harm organisms other than those targeted. Pesticide use can have serious negative effects on populations of beneficial insects such as pollinators (butterflies and bees). These good insects make up the vast majority of insects and are important to the health of our gardens. Yet we kill them off through the use of pesticides.
• By wiping out certain insect or weed populations with chemicals you also affect those species that depend on them for food. Butterfly populations dwindle when their food sources disappear through herbicide use. Many birds, frogs, toads, bats, and other animals depend on a good supply of insects to keep them healthy. Why not allow these animals to keep your insect populations under control naturally?

did you know | if not pesticides then | if you have to

did you know ...
Pesticide use can actually increase problems with pests in your garden. When using pesticides many people are focused solely on the pest they are trying to banish, and they forget to consider the "side effects" of pesticide use. These "side effects" can actually cause increasing problems in your garden, so that you will find yourself using more and stronger pesticides to fight an ever increasing pest problem.

The pests you are trying to banish do not exist on their own. They have natural predators (other insects that feed on them) who also live there. Pesticide use leads not only to the death of the target organism but can also kill these natural predators. Having made your garden unappealing to these beneficial insects, they will no longer be present when the insect pests return or others take their place. With no natural controls in place the population of pest insects can increase dramatically.

Pest species have also demonstrated an incredible ability to develop resistance to pesticides. The number of resistant insects has increased dramatically since pesticide use became more common. As insect pests become resistant, it becomes necessary to use more and stronger chemicals thereby increasing pollution and health risks.

if not pesticides then...
Keep your garden healthy. A healthy garden is much more resistant to problems from pests. Plants have natural defenses against pests, but when stressed by other factors they are more vulnerable to attack. To increase your garden’s immunity to pests:

• Choose plants which are suitable for each area of your garden. Plants require certain conditions for good health. If placed in an area with unsuitable light conditions (too little or too much sun), moisture conditions (too little or too much moisture), or soil conditions (too acidic, not enough organic material, etc.) the plant will be under stress. A stressed plant is more vulnerable to pests.
• Choose plants native to your area. Native plants are adapted to local conditions and have developed resistance to local pests. Exotic plants are more vulnerable.
• Keep your soil healthy with proper use of compost and well-rotted manure.
• Check your garden regularly for any sign of problems. Catch the problems while they are still minor. Make sure you accurately identify the problem and then use nonchemical alternatives such as plant barriers, insect traps, or hand picking of pests.
• Encourage insect predators to make their home in your garden. Attract beneficial insects, birds, toads, or bats to your garden and allow them to eat insect pests.
• Plant a wide diversity of plants to minimize your garden’s susceptibility. Many pest species will only eat certain plants. By planting a variety of plants you decrease the chance that your whole garden will be wiped out by any pest invasion.
• Take advantage of the natural aversion of pests to certain plants through companion planting.
• Thin out plants to allow for good air circulation and healthy plants. Small seedlings are more vulnerable to disease.
• The spacing of plants is key. Be sure to follow the planting directions and don’t place the plants too close together.
• Water in the early morning. Damp leaves in the evening can lead to fungus and other diseases. Soaker hoses also help by soaking the roots instead of the foliage.
• Rotate your vegetable crops. When growing vegetables be sure to change the vegetable you grow in any one location from one year to the next. If you grow the same crop in the same spot year after year, the insects that prey on that crop will just stay there waiting for the next year’s crop. Rotating crops also keeps the soil nutrients from being depleted.

Click here if you are having trouble with bugs, slugs and other aphids.

if you have to...
Think before you spray. Use organic pesticides only when they are genuinely required, making sure you do your research first. If you decide that pesticides are your only answer then:

• Identify the problem first. You have to be sure of the culprit before you choose your defense. If you are not sure seek out qualified help to identify the problem. Then choose the least-toxic, organic solution. Organic solutions abound for most pest troubles.
• Read the instructions carefully. Understand how the pesticide works and use it properly. Many pesticides kill on contact. This means you must spray it directly on the pest insect or it won’t help.
• Spot apply. Don’t apply pesticides widely in your garden but only on the problem spot.
• Never spray pesticides when there is any wind. Pesticides can affect soil organisms, pollinators, birds, and other organisms and can leak into water sources affecting fish. Minimize the potential damage by limiting the amount of pesticide you use and applying it carefully.

Pesticides can harm wildlife, pets and may cause health problems in humans. Limiting their use is good for the health of your garden, your family and the environment. With millions of gardens across the country our choices in garden care can make a real difference