Pest Control for Organic Gardening

The concept of organic gardening pest control isn't new; actually, it's as old as farming itself. The problem is that since World War II organic pest control has been replaced in civilized countries with man-made pesticides that are detrimental to both the environment and to the people who consume the plants on which the products are sprayed. More and more people today are doing organic gardening and prefer not to use pesticides. There are varying beliefs on the use of these products, with some people opposing their use only on food crops, whereas others simply try to reduce their use as much as possible.

There are a variety of sensible reasons that appeal to logic for using organic gardening pest control methods. One of the most important things about this is that because of the absence of pesticides when the insect pests are left alone genetically they are not in a position to become resistant "super bugs". Organic methods tend to be less polluting and blend into the ecosystem around it instead of disrupting it. In addition, because many of the pesticides that are available are derivatives of petrochemicals, their costs are higher, thus making alternatives more attractive. Whatever the reasons may be for avoiding their use, the organic gardener has to be prepared to work in order to make up for the loss of those chemical products that he chooses to abstain from using.

Natural gardeners have a number of valuable, non-chemical methods that they can use to manage garden vermin. One of the easiest ways to avoid pest problems is by varietal selection, which entails choosing seed varieties that have been bred to be resistant to pests and diseases. The cultural control method of organic gardening pest control involves changing your gardening methods in order to reduce the hospitality that your garden offers to pests. This may mean removing or burning diseased plant material and destroying weeds and plan debris that provide hiding places for insects. Using stakes to keep fruits off the ground as well as pruning to remove diseased limbs, removing sickly plants, proper building of the soil, and making sure the plants are in raised areas in rainy seasons also help control diseases and pests. Crop rotation can also help in the prevention of disease and in pest control.

Pesticides show quick results as compared to the methods which are used in non-pesticide pest control, but in the long run non pesticide methods are more advantageous as they are not only safer but their effect is far reaching too. They repel the insects during the season they are used and prevent them from appearing again in other crops. Although organic gardening pest control may present a longer and more strenuous process, it is well worth the time and effort.