Let's Talk About Pest Management

Roots & Shoots
May 2008

What is Organic Pest Management of OPM? To state it is in its most simplest terms, is an approach to controlling pests combining cultural, biological, physical, and yes certain chemical controls to keep pests in check. This month, I will cover what we can do biologically to control some of our more common garden pests. Biological controls use living organisms to fight off other different living organisms. Some common practices are releasing, attracting or simply protecting natural insect predators and parasites in our garden.

Lets talk about one of our most obvious and most loved garden visitors –the lady bug. Not only is she incredibly cute, she is incredibly voracious in her appetite for such pests as Aphids. A single Ladybug can et 5000 Aphids in a lifetime. Isn't that incredible?? Not only that but unlike some insects, both the adult and the larvae eat Aphids!! How great is that. I ask you? Obviously, we want to keep our little Ladybug's happy. What can we do you prevent them from fling off to juicer pastures?

We can plant some flowers and herbs that these little spotted beauties enjoy. Some suggestions I have are cosmos, morning glory, scented geraniums and some wonderful culinary herbs. Try growing fennel, dill, cilantro, and angelica. Not only will your food taste better, your garden will be cleaners as a result. You can also buy or make a ladybug house. A small box filled with peat or compost will encourage ladybugs to roost, lay eggs and call your yard home.

We can also get handy in the kitchen and make some real good natural pest control products on our own. No more going to the local greenhouse or Canadian Tire and buying toxic chemicals, for us. Let get out a pot and “cook” up a batch of “Death to Aphids”

Death to Aphids: Garlic Pepper Spray

  • 3 cayenne or jalapeno peppers. Make sure you include the seeds.
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 whole bulb of garlic

Put all this in a blender with a bit of water. Puree till smooth and the consistency is of a good paste. Move this mash over to a bucket and cover will a gallon of water. Let it stand for 24 hours and then strain it. Place the liquid in a spray bottle and give those Aphids a good shower. Repeat as necessary.