“What are your best tips for natural pesticides?” Question from Jacquelyn O’Neil
Answer: It depends on the pest. Generally, we recommend purchasing OMRI Listed products approved for organic gardening. But, we also advocate managing pests through IPM (integrated pest management) to keep populations down without the need for harsh chemicals. Integrated pest management employs a variety of tactical techniques for pest control (see infographic below). Monitoring plants, keeping them in good health, and catching pest problems early on will stop pests before they take over.
We also recommend keeping your plants, pots, and topsoil surface clean and refreshed and dead, dying, or infested stems pruned off. It is amazing what a little cleanliness can do to keeping plants pest-free. (Click here to learn how to properly clean house plants.)
We have loads of BG articles on the subject. Here’s are five popular pieces:
- Managing the Worst House Plant Pests
- How do Remove Pests from My Indoor Plants?
- What Plants Deter Insects from the Vegetable Garden?
- Cultivate Beneficial Insects in the Garden
- Beating Vegetable Garden Pests Without Pesticides
- Organic Plant Protection with Improved Horticultural Oils
Happy gardening!
Jessie Keith
Black Gold Horticulturist
