Earth Friendly Natural Insect Predators or Chemicals in the Garden

The wide use of chemicals in controlling garden pests are now helping some of the insect species show resistance. The constant use of pesticides in the garden will cause them to become less effective over time, requiring even more and more applications.

Growing safe food to eat is becoming a major goal in maintaining healthy bodies with excellent immune systems. Chemicals and pesticides in the garden are being examined and researched more carefully. Consumers want clean vegetables and fruits without pesticides and sprays still lingering even after a careful washing. Garden produce that grows in healthy organic soil will bring a harvest of nutrient-rich food that delivers super energy to the consumer. Safe organic fruits and vegetables top the consumers shopping list.

Inviting the good insects to your garden

Attracting natural insect predators to live and work for free among the tomatoes and peppers is worth a test. Lacewings are beneficial to the garden. The larvae eat mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies, leafhoppers, spider mites, thrips, and moth eggs. More active at night, they are harmless to people or pets as they don't sting or bite. The well-camouflaged praying mantis works undercover, almost, as it often goes unnoticed due to the similarity to green leaf stems and brown twigs. They eat flies, moths and mosquitoes. In both the larvae and adult stage, they can be useful as biological control workers. Finally, ladybugs help in pollination and these colorful beetles eat aphids, mites and eggs. Ladybugs are so well-favored by gardeners that they've even made their way into children's animated movie adventures.

Plant a flower or herb garden border

Sow a row of fennel, calendula, coriander, dill or some lavender cosmos. The insects will be happy and the garden will be colorful and peaceful. Keep a record of what works best and give it a home in your garden patch.

Natural and earth friendly biological control could be a safer solution

Hand picking works for some pests. Horn-worms can quickly strip foliage from tomato plants leaving only skeletal stems. Though these pests are well camouflaged, looking very similar to the tomato stem, they can be removed by hand, before the damage is total. Eco friendly choices in the garden benefit the environment making a healthier green planet for everyone.

Sources:

http://beneficialinsects101.com/
http://www.garden-planting-tips.com/lacewing.html
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-20_mantid_praying_mantis.htm
http://organicgardensite.com/bugs-beneficial/ladybugs/