Natural Pest Control for Garden

More and more people today are seeking methods of natural pest control for garden use. It only makes sense that eliminating harmful chemicals will result in healthier plants, a healthier gardener and a healthier planet. You may be wondering, however, if natural pesticides will give you the results you want.

Naturally beautiful flowers.

Learn About Natural Pest Control for Garden Use

Recently LoveToKnow Garden was able to interview John Harrison from The Espoma Company. Espoma, headquartered in Millville, New Jersey, is the leading manufacturer and marketer of natural pest control for garden and lawn use. They have been in business for over 75 years.

Their brands, including Holly-tone, Plant-tone and Earth-tone, are recognized by professional and amateur gardeners as the finest, safest and most effective gardening products available. LoveToKnow would like to thank John Harrison for taking the time to educate readers about natural pest control products.

Interview with John Harrison

• Why is it important to use natural pest control for garden and lawn instead of chemical pesticides?

JH: Synthetic pesticides persist in the environment and can run off into ground waters, lakes and streams. These materials can then enter into the food chain, potentially harming nearby animals and people. Some synthetics have been shown to cause cancer and other disease in laboratory animals.

Closer to home, the use of synthetics may be harmful to families simply wanting to enjoy the open space of their yard. Pets walk across lawns and explore gardens. Children play in the yard. When synthetic pesticides are used there is more potential for exposure due to their persistence in the environment.

Natural pesticides typically do not persist in the environment. This means when applied they simply do the job and then degrade into harmless, inert compounds. This allows for control of problems without concern for children, pets and the surrounding area.

• Are natural methods as effective?

JH: Next generation natural products have become available that can deliver control results that equal or sometimes better their synthetic counterparts. For example, we recently introduced our new Earth-tone Insect Control. This patented material is composed of natural active ingredients and it controls listed pests better than synthetic competitors.

Some products from Espoma.

However, the good news doesn’t end there. Because it contains canola oil, it is an effective oil treatment that will smother eggs, preventing the next generation of pests from hatching. This is something no other combination of active ingredients, natural or synthetic, can claim.

• What should consumers look for in a natural pesticide?

JH: The most important thing to look for is EOA approval. These products have been rigorously tested and shown effective in controlling pests. EPA exempt products are not required to meet these high efficacy standards.

• How do natural pesticides work?

JH: This varies by the active ingredient. Insecticidal soaps work by dehydrating soft-bodied insects. The 3 n 1 and Insect Control both contain a natural extract from chrysanthemum flowers that disrupts the pest’s nervous system. Oils like canola will smother insect eggs to prevent them from hatching. All three do their job and degrade into harmless compounds.

• How often do they need to be applied?

JH: Because they do not persist in the environment, reapplication is usually required every seven to ten days.

• Can they be used on vegetables?

JH: Both Earth-tone Insect Control and 3 n 1 Disease Control can be used on food crops up to the day of harvest.

• Do they leave a residue on foods?

JH: Both the Insect Control and 3 n 1 Disease Control can be applied to food crops right up to the day of harvest. While we know that the actives will degrade quickly, it is always a good idea to thoroughly wash all fresh vegetables and fruits prior to eating. That’s just a good practice. The actives in the Earth-tone pest controls will not linger on fresh foods from the garden as long as these simple actions are followed.

• Are they harmful to pets?

JH: All three Earth-tone products are EPA approved pesticides. This means that they are shown to be effective on listed pests, diseases and weeds. While the EPA requires us to label these with proper precautions, the natural actives will degrade very quickly into harmless inert compounds.

Both the Insect Control and the 3 n 1 Disease Control carry the “Caution” label warnings; the lowest level language required. When used as labeled the product will not harm people, pets or the environment.

• Is there anything they cannot be used on?

JH: All pesticides will carry some specific restrictions. For example, the 3 n 1 should not be used on strawberries that will be canned because the natural sulfur may cause fruit discoloration. The Insect Control should not be applied to blue spruce foliage as the canola oil may degrade the oil that gives the foliage its blue color. Always read and follow label guidelines when using any products in the garden.

• Any other pest control tips?

JH: Pest control applications are best made in the morning. This time of day ensures honeybees are not active and minimizes potential foliage damage that can occur when used in very warm weather. Always read and follow all label instructions.

More Information

For more information about natural pest control, visit the Espoma web site. While you are there, why not subscribe to their informative Organic Garden Club newsletter? You’ll get lots of gardening ideas and advice for a naturally healthy garden..

• Winter Squash Plants Photos
• Sugar Maple Tree Picture
• What Plants Grow in Winter

• Gardenia Plant Care
• Jasmine
• How to Build an Outdoor Fireplace
• Honeysuckle
• Maple Tree Diseases

• Spider Identification
• Category:Garden Interviews
• Praying Mantis Facts
• How do Pesticides Kill Bugs
• Category:Garden Pests