| Garden Center in Hudson, NH |
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Countrybrook Farms Nursery & Garden Center
175 Lowell Road Route 3A
Hudson, NH USA 03051
603-886-5200
"Where your daydream landscape becomes reality" |
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| Managing Insects with Natural Controls ~ Question: My neighbor tells me the organic insect controls don't work as well as the chemical insecticides. Is that true?
~ Answer: No it's not true but it's understandable why he would think so. With the chemical insecticides, you spray it on an insect and the toxins affect it immediately. You'll see it fall to the ground gasping for breath, it's little feet clawing the air and then it's little head rolls to the side with his tongue hanging out. It's dead. A very dramatic show and you get to see the drama. Natural controls don't work as quickly. BT for example is a control for caterpillars you spray on the foliage. The caterpillars eat the foliage and seem unaffected, but it is working by destroying their stomach lining and they will die. You just won't see the drama but dead is still dead.
* Always avoid using any control products on any insects other than the one you can positively identify as actively damaging the plants. Use control products during early evening to prevent harm to bees & other beneficial insects. Always read and follow package instructions and keep children and pets away from the area.
Biological Insecticides: The advantage of using either biological or microbial insecticides is that they are only harmful to specifically targeted pests. They are not injurious to wildlife, humans, or other soil microbes or insects. Furthermore, they don't leave toxic residues behind to worry about. They do come with an admonition, though. The mold spores, bacterial spores, and other living organisms that make up these products can produce allergic reactions in some people. Handle them with care, wear protective clothing, avoid inhaling them or rubbing them on your skin, and follow all provided directions.
Insecticidal Soaps: Insecticidal soaps are made from the potassium salts of fatty acids. On direct contact with susceptible insects, these acids disrupt the structure and permeability of their cell membranes, causing desiccation and death. Most effective on soft-bodied insects, including beneficials, these soaps have a minimal impact on ladybug larvae and parasitic wasps. Aside from causing mild eye and skin irritation, they have low toxicity. They are biodegradable. However, once they dry, they are no longer effective.
Bacillus thuringiensis: (BT) is composed of a crystalline protein produced by the spores of a soil bacterium. When ingested by target pests, it destroys the gut lining, stopping their feeding and killing them. Insect-specific strains are sold as dusts, emulsions, and wettable powder. BT is highly selective and viable for only a few days after application. Apply in late afternoon at the early stage of their growth for the best results.
Bacillus popilliae: or milky spore disease, has been the chief biological agent for Japanese beetle control. Only one or two applications of milky spore disease are needed because, once it kills the grubs, fungal endospores are released into the soil to await their next host. However, this product is not effective for other kinds of white grubs. Check with your Cooperative Extension Service for local recommendations.
Beneficicial Nemetodes: Steinernema glaseri and Steinernema carpocapsae: Predatory nematodes are useful for attacking lawn pests such as billbugs, sod webworms, and white grubs. These microscopic, wormlike creatures live in moist soil and attack the larvae of certain pests. Beneficial nematodes are not harmful to plants, and different strains are sold to target specific pests. Use of predatory nematodes is a growing area of horticultural research showing much promise.
Botanical Insecticides: Botanical insecticides are not targeted to specific pests, and they often kill beneficial insects as well. They are best used only as a last resort, when more directed methods fail. Although they do not persist long in the environment, botanical insecticides can be quite toxic when applied, so handle them with extreme care and always follow package directions, including wearing protective clothing.
Pyrethrins: These insecticides are made from extracts of pyrethrum flowers, two species of chrysanthemum. Known for their ability to "knock-down" flying insects, pyrethrins are frequently combined with synergists, such as pipernyl butoxide, which increases the pyrethins' toxicity and length of residual action. Used against aphids, armyworms, beetles, caterpillars, leafhoppers, and other pests, pyrethrins are also toxic to fish and some beneficial insects.
Rotenone: One of the oldest botanical insecticides, Rotenone is extracted from the roots of Asian derris plants. Caution: This slow-acting general insecticide is highly toxic to fish and moderately so for mammals. It is also very irritating to the respiratory tract. Keep children and pets away, and be sure to follow application guidelines.
Sabadilla: One of the least toxic botanical insecticides, Sabadilla is made from the seeds of the Venezualan plant sabadilla (Schoenocaulon officinale). Used as a dust or spray to kill grasshoppers, armyworms, webworms, aphids, and chinch bugs, this insecticide breaks down rapidly in sunlight. Sabadilla is highly irritating to the respiratory tract and eyes.
Neem: Neem is derived from oil extracted from the Indian neem tree. It is effective on multiple fronts; repelling insects, stopping them from feeding, inhibiting molting, and suppressing growth. Neem affects leaf-chewing beetles, caterpillars, and other insects going through metamorphosis. It has low toxicity for mammals.
Mycoinsecticides: The Beauveria bassiana fungus was discovered in 1835, but it was not until recently that its potential as an insecticide was realized. Now this common soil-borne fungus has found a use in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs because of its low toxicity and ability to kill insect pest without harming most beneficial insects. Results vary, but generally this fungus offers good control of sod webworms, fall armyworms, billbugs, chinch bugs, aphids, and white grubs, among others. A thorough spraying of targeted pests is necessary because successful infection is dependent on direct contact with the fungus. Under favorable conditions, the fungal spores penetrate the insect's body, where they secrete a killing toxin. Death of the host usually takes three to seven days. Beauveria bassiana is now being produced commercially and has been registered with the EPA for use in landscapes. | |
| BEETLES These hard-shelled insects have chewing mouthparts. Both adults and larvae may feed on leaves and fruits, though the larvae (grubs) of some kinds, such as Japanese and cucumber beetles, feed on plant roots. Colorado potato beetle
Where: Leaves of vegetables especially eggplant, & potato and flowers nicotiana, petunia
Natural Controls: Bt, handpicking, neem, early planting, pyrethrins, row covers
Cucumber beetle striped
Where: Leaves, flowers, and roots of cucumber family vegetables
Natural Controls: companion planting, pyrethrins, row covers
Japanese beetle
Where: Leaves, flowers, and fruits of fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, ornamentals
Natural Controls: Handpicking, milky spore, neem, beneficial nematodes, pyrethrins
Mexican bean beetle
Where: Leaves of bean vegetables
Natural Controls: Beneficial insects, companion planting, squishing eggs, neem, early planting, pyrethrins
Flea beetle
Where: Leaves of many vegetables and fruits
Natural Controls: companion planting, DE, neem oil, pyrethrins, row covers
Asparagus beetle
Where: developing spears and ferny foliage
Natural Controls: ladybeetles; handpicking; neem oil
Corn Rootworm
Where: larvae found in roots; beetles found on silks and tassels
Natural Controls: crop rotation, encourage natural predators, control weeds
Sweet Potato Weevil
Where: Grubs feed on roots and vines; adults feed on leaves and vines
Natural Controls: Plant certified stock, rotate crops, mound soil around base of vines, sanitation BORERS These beetle and moth larvae chew (bore a hole) into trunks, crowns, and stems of many plants. Borers holes provide entry to infectious diseases, leading to rot that can kill plants. They are difficult to control with sprays, since spraying must be timed before the pest actually enters the plant.
Squash vine borer
Where: Stems of squash family vegetables
Natural Controls: companion planting, Bt, handpick, early planting, resistant plants, row covers
Peach tree borer
Where: Trunks of fruit
Natural Controls: Squish by sticking wire in hole, beneficial nematodes
European Corn Borer
Where: tassels, leaves, and stalks of corn; also tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers.
Natural Controls: Bt, destroy or plow under spent cornstalks CATERPILLARS They are the larval forms of butterflies and moths. They have chewing mouthparts, and their voracious feeding can quickly destroy leaves and flowers.
Tomato hornworm – check for signs of beneficial insect eggs growing on hornworms (see beneficial insects page for more information)
Where: Leaves and fruits of tomato vegetables and flowers
Natural Controls: beneficial insects, handpicking, Bt, pyrethrins
Codling moth
Where: Fruits of fruit trees
Natural Controls: Beneficial insects, cleaning up removing dropped fruit, phosmet
Cabbageworm
Where: Leaves and flowers of vegetables
Natural Controls: beneficial insects, companion planting, Bt, pyrethrins, row covers
Cabbage Looper
Where: Leaves and flowering heads of cabbage family crops
Natural Controls: Bt, beneficial insects, row covers
Corn Earworm
Where: Corn leaves, silks, and kernels
Natural Controls: Bt, cultivation, mineral oil on silks
Pickleworm
Where: leaves, stalks, and fruit of cucumber family plants
Natural Controls: Bt, timed planting, removal of overwintering sites SMALL INSECTS AND PESTS This group includes common insects and other hard-to-see creatures that cause obvious damage to plant parts by sucking (such as aphids, mites, and thrips) or chewing (leaf miners). Many are easily controlled if caught before their populations grow large. Almost all are on the dinner menu of the beneficial insects.
Aphid
Where: Leaves, stems, and roots of many vegetables, fruits, flowers, and ornamentals
Natural Controls: Beneficial insects, companion planting, Neem oil, Bon-Neem, Diatomaceous Earth, Pyrethrins, All Season’s Horticultural Oil, Fertilome’s Triple Action Plus, Flower Pharm, Oil Pharm, row covers, soap, water spray
Leaf miner
Where: Leaves of vegetables especially spinach, flowers, fruit trees, and ornamentals
Natural Controls: Neem, oil, pyrethrins, row covers
Mealybug
Where: Leaves and stems of many flowers, fruits, and ornamentals
Natural Controls: Beneficial insects, oil, pyrethrins, soap
Scale
Where: Stems and leaves of many flowers, fruits, and ornamentals
Natural Controls: Beneficial insects, oil, pyrethrins
Spider mites
Where: Leaves, stems, and flowers of many vegetables, flowers, fruits, and ornamentals
Natural Controls: Beneficial insects, companion planting, oil, soap, water spray
Thrips
Where: Leaves and flowers of many flowers, fruits, ornamentals, and vegetables
Natural Controls: Beneficial insects, DE, oil, soap, sticky traps, water spray
Whiteflies
Where: Leaves, flowers, and fruits of many flowers, fruits, ornamentals, and vegetables; in the Southeast and Southwest
Natural Controls: Beneficial insects, neem, oil, pyrethrins, soap, sticky traps PESTS AT OR BELOW GROUND LEVEL This general category includes pests that damage stems, leaves, and roots from underground. They are often difficult to find, but their damage can be devastating.
Cutworm
Where: Leaves and stems of many flowers, fruits, and vegetables
Natural Controls: Homemade barriers, beneficial nematodes
Wireworm
Where: root crops and tubers, sown seeds of corn
Natural Controls: Cultivation, crop rotation, beneficial nematodes
Root maggots
Where: Roots and fruits of vegetables especially cabbage, & onion, fruit trees
Natural Controls: Homemade barriers, companion planting, beneficial nematodes, row covers, sticky traps
Earwig
Where: Leaves and flowers of many vegetables, fruits, flowers, and ornamentals
Natural Controls: DE, homemade traps, pyrethrins, soap TRUE BUGS This group of sucking insects is best identified by the distinctive X-shape on their back. Their young (nymphs) resemble the adults and attack leaves, flowers, and fruit.
Squash bug
Where: Leaves and flowers of squash family vegetables
Natural Controls: companion planting, pyrethrins, row covers, squishing eggs
Tarnished plant bug
Where: Leaves, flowers, and fruits of soft fruits especially strawberry, flowers, vegetables
Natural Controls: Beneficial insects, pyrethrins, row covers
Stinkbug
Where: stems and shoots of tomato, potato, okra, squash, beans, and others
Control: Control weeds in the area; insecticidal soap against nymphs; cultivation | |
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