Great Ways to Make Your Home and Garden Pesticide Free

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a pesticide is any substance used to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate any pest. This includes herbicides, fungicides, and other substances used on your lawn and garden to control pests. Plant regulators, defoliants and desiccants are also considered pesticides by EPA.

Pesticide Use in the US

The statistics would surprise you. According to Beyond Pesticides, a national coalition against the misuse of pesticides, over 102 million pounds of pesticides are applied to lawns and gardens in the United States each year. Pesticides are big business as Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on pesticides to beautify lawns and gardens.

Environmental and Health Impact of Pesticides

The environmental and health impact of these pesticides is well-documented. For example, storm water runoff is a leading source of water pollution and a big problem in many communities across the United States. Pesticide and chemical residue is found in soil and water samples, raising serious health concerns. Pesticides can also kill beneficial insects like honeybees and ladybugs, creating imbalances in our fragile eco-system.

As a result, more and more neighborhoods and communities look for all-natural or organic alternatives to rid pests and insects from the landscape and beautify gardens today.

Taking Pesticides Out of the Home and Garden

There are so many ways to go green with your pest management in and around your home. Where to start? Check out these easy pest management tips and strategies. Sure to clean up your home and garden environment, and promote health and wellness for you, your family and community around you.

1. Don't use residential or commercial pesticides in and around your garden. Buy products that are all-natural or organic to rid insects and other pests from your home and garden.

2. Invest in and plant trees and shrubs that are native to your geographic region. That way, you'll keep invasive species at bay, eliminating the need for pesticides to control ivy and the like.

3. Move away from the perfect lawn to a natural landscape. By going natural, you can create a home and garden environment that's beautiful, low maintenance and water-efficient.

4. Remove bugs by hand on plants, shrubbery and trees. Dispose of the effected area, carefully bagging the specimen so that the pests and consequent disease are adequately contained.

5. Use all-natural pest management solutions. A solution comprised of 1 tablespoon of liquid hand soap, 1/4 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper, and a dash of onion powder and garlic powder in a spray bottle filled with water works wonders to rid your vegetables from insects and other pests. Boric acid (mixed with honey or grease as bate) works well to control ants. Plain old white vinegar works great as a weed killer. Consult your lawn and landscape professionals or check online for other all-natural pest control strategies.

6. Invest in plants that promote beneficial insects and keep pests at bay. For example, you might want to plant appropriate specimens like Yarrow, Butterfly Weed, Caraway, Dill, Coriander, Alfalfa, Cosmos, Marigold, Spearmint, Fennel and Goldenrod to attract ladybugs and other beneficial insects that keep pests under control.

7. Hang a bird feeder to attract birds to the yard. These birds will keep insects under control. Of course, you won't want to overfill the bird feeders if you want to discourage rodents.

8. Keep a lid on your garden compost. Let air and sunlight in, as needed, but keep a lid firmly in place to discourage rodents and other pests from invading your hard-earned compost. To keep rodents away, you can place a sprig or two of peppermint in the compost.

RESOURCES

Beyond Pesticides
www.beyondpesticides.org/lawn

Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov

Natural Garden Pest Control
Earth Easy

Mother Earth News
www.motherearthnews.com

Organic Gardening
www.organicgardening.com