Beat out garden pests
Throw out those old pesticides - use these safe, organic methods to eliminate irritating insects
By Richard Palazzo GateHouse News Service

Insects will attack your plants. Master gardeners know this and will tolerate some damage, which is nothing to worry about so long as it doesn't get out of hand.

Alternatives, such as spraying with pesticide, are worse. Pesticides kill bees, butterflies and good bugs, plus they migrate into our water supply. Then the bad bugs move back in later with no natural enemies left to control them.

Here are some ways to protect and save plants from pest attacks.

Iron phosphate

Slugs and snails love cool, moist weather, dark hiding

places and leafy greens. Sprinkle iron phosphatebased pellets in the garden. The pellets contain a slug attractant. When slugs and snails eat the bait, the iron phosphate proves fatal, without harming other beneficial insects, animals or humans.

Spinosad

This soil-dwelling organism was discovered as a byproduct of the rum processing industry in Jamaica. This fast-acting fermented bacteria kills a range of chewing insects such as caterpillars, thrips, sawflies, leaf beetles, spider mites and leaf miners. It's not as effective on sucking insects. It doesn't harm ladybugs and other beneficial insects.

Diatomaceous earth

A chalk-like rock that's crushed into a powder. It feels abrasive, similar to pumice, and very like talcum powder. It's the pre-historic fossilized remains of diatoms, a hard-shelled algae. Use as a mechanical insecticide by sprinkling it around your plants. It works well for soft-bodied insects that crawl on or out of the ground to feed on plants.

Floating row covers

A physical barrier works great. This lightweight, non-woven fabric lets in light, air and water but stops insects from feeding and laying eggs. Row covers work

well on any crop that doesn't need pollination by bees. If they need pollination, take the covers off in time for the bees to get at them.

Bacillus thuriengensis

Known as Bt, this organic pesticide is a naturally occurring bacteria that attacks the larvae of moths, cabbage worms, tent caterpillars, corn earworms, hornworms and cutworms.

It only attacks caterpillars in the Lepidoptera family and doesn't harm other insects, bees, pets or humans.

Horticultural oil

A lightweight, fine-grade, petroleum-based paraffin oil that coats insect eggs, larvae and adults and smothers them without harming foliage. Oils integrate well with natural biological controls then evaporate, leaving little residue. Oils can damage plants if applied excessively or on particularly hot or cold days.

Insecticidal soap

This fatty acidbased potassium salt is one of the safest sprays to use. It kills softbodied insects, such as aphids, mealy bugs and whiteflies by direct contact. Apply on a moderately overcast day not warmer than 90 degrees. Some plants, such as peas, can be burned by the spray.

Richard E. Palazzo, "The Gardenator," is a certified advanced master gardener. E-mail him at tubalcaine@sbcglobal.net.