Organic pest management may include the use of pheromone traps, release of beneficial insects, use of trap crops, and other organically approved techniques (see Rules Relating to Pest Management, next page).
Row covers are used against a variety of insects, including cucumber beetles and flea beetles. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is used against many dif- ferent species of caterpillars. Diatomaceous earth is used against various soft-bodied insects. Soap sprays are used against aphids, thrips, and spider mites.
"Organically grown" food is food grown and processed using no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Pesticides derived from natural sources (such as biological pesticides) may be used in producing organically grown food.
The strategies
Other strategies include rotating crops and selecting pest-resistant varieties of crops. When pests become a more serious problem, organic farmers might use pheromones to disturb pest mating cycles, or mechanical controls like trapping.
Biological control is another one of the industry's viable pesticide alternatives and is an ecologically friendly pest management technique that uses 'natural enemies' to suppress pest populations. These natural enemies might include predators, parasites, or diseases unique to the pest in question.
Neem (Azadirachta indica)
The most effective insecticide comes from the seed, but the leaves can also be used. These extracts do not kill insects directly but effectively prevent their reproduction.
By altering light, soil moisture, and soil temperature, mulches limit the germination and growth of weed seedlings. Dead cover crop residues serve as excellent mulch for no-till and reduced-tillage systems when left in a field. Cover crop residues may also be moved from one field to another.
Factors like fungus or weeds could have adverse effects on your crops, but pesticides can keep them under control. The four most common pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and bactericides.
Organic foods are not necessarily pesticide-free. In the United States, only pesticides that meet the criteria of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program may be used in organic crop production.
Based on the data reviewed by EPA, Cold Pressed Neem Oil will not cause adverse effects to humans and other nontarget organisms when used according to label directions. The active ingredient Cold Pressed Cold Pressed Neem Oil has a brown color, a bitter taste and a garlic/sulfur smell.
Rotenone is approved for use as a piscicide to remove alien fish species, see Uses. It has also been used as a broad-spectrum insecticide, but its use as an insecticide has been banned in many countries.
Natural pest control refers to pest control methods that rely on natural (chemical-free) remedies. From essential oils to fly traps to food grade Diatomaceous Earth, several natural elements can help control the pest population. These solutions are often safe for pets and small children and non-toxic.
Insecticides are used to control insect infestations. Some insecticides are incorporated into the soil (to treat grubs, worms, and other soil dwelling pests), while others are applied directly to plant foliage (to treat moths, aphids, and other above-ground pests).
Garlic may have a historical reputation for warding off vampires but it's also effective against rather smaller blood-sucking creatures. Add two-three crushed fresh garlic cloves to a food grade oil such as sunflower oil, and leave to infuse for 24 hours.
Organic pest management may include the use of pheromone traps, release of beneficial insects, use of trap crops, and other organically approved techniques (see Rules Relating to Pest Management, next page).
Pheromones and other attractants.
Organic farmers can use chemical attractants to trap pest insects, disrupt their reproduction cycle, and monitor their population levels.
The key word is “natural” for these types of herbicide products. The general rule is that naturally occurring materials are permitted, whereas synthetic (human-made) chemicals are not allowed in organic production.
There are many naturally occurring pesticides that are allowed in organic farming, as they have low toxicity, such as spearmint oil, citronella and quartz sand. Others such as iron, potassium, beeswax and gelatine are all part of the human diet and have no toxicological issues.
There are three different kinds of pesticides; herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. All three of these pesticides are used to kill different kinds of pests that can be found on a farm. Farmers that make the decision not to use any chemicals are called organic farmers.
Atrazine is made in the laboratory and does not occur naturally. Atrazine is used on crops such as sugarcane, corn, pineapples, sorghum, and macadamia nuts, and on evergreen tree farms and for evergreen forest regrowth.