Safely control most insect pests with natural, organic sprays

Almost all insect pests in the landscape can be controlled safely and effectively, at little or no cost, with organic sprays. They?re safe, they?re not poisonous, and best of all they control insects better than expensive chemicals.

The word ?organic? sometimes conjures up images of witches cackling over a boiling cauldron, or hours and hours of following directions for turning kitchen leftovers into something that saves you a few cents. This is not even close to the actual picture, except the part about saving something. But with organics what you?re saving could actually be your health, your kids? health, your pet?s health, and the health of all the birds, butterflies, and other animals that dare to visit your yard.

The truth is that most organic gardens don?t get overrun by insect pests. There?s a natural balance of ?good? bugs munching on ?bad? bugs, and all the birds munch on any bugs they can find. However, insect pests DO become a problem sometimes. In that case, there are several sprays you can use to control them without risk to anybody that ventures into your landscape.

• Plain water: A strong spray from your garden hose will dislodge and drown common pests such as aphids, spider mites and caterpillars. You may not have ever heard of this method because no company makes a profit from it. But research at Texas A&M University has found that jets of plain water will control 70 to 90 percent of aphids and mites. Just be sure to spray the underside of leaves, where pests usually gather.
• Detergent or soap: A simple spray containing detergent or liquid soap will kill many insects if they?re hit directly. Almost any liquid dish soap from the store will work and is best when diluted with a half gallon of water for each tablespoon of detergent. You can buy it pre mixed and in a spray bottle, too.
• Citrus solution: Citrus juice is actually a mild acid; it dissolves the exoskeleton of most insects, so they die instantly. It also makes a great cleaner, since it dissolves grease. For the homemade variety, mix an ounce of orange oil or d limonene with a quart of water. Pre mixed citrus sprays are also sold at most nurseries.
• BT sprays: ?BT? is a naturally occurring bacteria with the full name Bacillus thuringiensis. Since there are several strains of BT, each targeted toward a particular pest, make sure you use the appropriate one. BT will control mosquitoes, blackflies, fungus gnats and several kinds of beetles.
• Garlic tea: You can make this at home or buy it at a store. To make it, thoroughly crush two large garlic bulbs. Save the juice and mix it with one gallon of water. To make it stronger, add the juice of two hot peppers. When you make the spray, mix a quarter cup of the tea to make a gallon of water.

Other natural insect controls are sometimes sprayed (beneficial nematodes come to mind) but they?re not listed. And by far the best way to control pests is to garden naturally in the first place, avoiding chemical herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers and anything else whose ingredients you can?t pronounce.

With the advent of warm weather, fears of West Nile virus and eradicating mosquitoes both become hot topics. The city of Denton deserves kudos for recognizing that spraying allergy increasing pyrethroids to kill adult mosquitoes in the air is a waste of time and money. It doesn?t work. It could be argued that the net effect is actually an increase in pests because of the killing of beneficial insects like dragonflies that help control mosquitoes naturally.

The safe, alternative program works better and isn?t harmful to children, pets, birds, butterflies and such. A sensible program addresses the mosquito larvae found by the thousands in standing water, and public education about how each homeowner can do a small part. Standing water should be drained. Water that can?t be drained should be treated with BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis Israelensis) products. Large water bodies can be stocked with mosquito eating gambusia fish. There are many brands of non toxic repellents that people can use safely.

You may also want to stick to plants that don?t get weak and fragile in the North Texas heat and soil. Native Texas plants are accustomed to our environment, as opposed to tender plants babied to maturity in an unrealistic, unnatural environment.

Owen Yost is an area landscape architect specializing in designing low-maintenance landscapes while incorporating native plants with hardscape. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Keep Denton Beautiful and the Native Plant Society of Texas. His Denton office is at 4516 Coyote Point; call 940-382-2099 or 940-383-9655 or e-mail him at Yost87@charter.net