Integrated Pest Management

[open this frame in new window for printing]

Natures Way

Many vegetables grow well with other plants in the garden and, using a few basic principles, organic gardeners can really have nature on their side in the biological control of pests.

How can you control pests and diseases naturally?

The most commonly documented companion plants repel pests when planted alongside vegetables. Other plants attract pest predators to the vegetable patch. Some plant roots secrete substances that repel pests or provide nutrients to the plants around them. These plant interactions can work in specific ways between two or three types of plants or species.  See the companion planting guide attached.

Peas and Beans add nitrogen to the soil.

Legumes (peas, beans, etc.) trap nitrogen from the air with nodules on their roots.  When these crops have finished producing you can dig them into the soil so that the nitrogen is available to the next crop. Being leafy vegetables, the brassica family (cabbages, broccoli, etc.) require a lot of nitrogen to grow, so it makes sense to follow summer pea crops with winter cabbages that can use this free nitrogen source.

What if pests still invade?

If pest levels do become unmanageable by natural means, you should consider the environmental impact of the pest control measures you employ. Non-synthetic organic chemical means are by far the preferred option. 

 

Home Remedies


Pest control solutions listed below can be made from ingredients commonly found around the home. They are less toxic than many commercial preparations; to the soil, other organisms and you, the user.  Before employing the pest control, consult the list of preventative controls.

Pest

Preventative control

Spray/ Trap

Preparation

Note

Fruit fly

Pick up fruit fall (break breading cycle, companion plants

1/4 teaspoon of vegemite 1cup of water neighbouring the on you want to protect.

combine and pour it into a plastic drink bottle. Make some holes in the side and use some wire to hang it in trees

You need to hang lots of traps to maximize the impact and it's important to remember to empty and replace traps weekly

Cabbageworm, leafhoppers, and whitefly

Companion plant, attract wasps and other predators.

3 cloves of finely chopped garlic 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil, 1 tsp dish washing liquid, 1 lt water.

Finely chop garlic and soak in oil for about 24 hours. Strain this mix then add 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and 1 litre of water to the oil.

Mix it well and spray regularly for best results. Be aware, the mixture of oil and detergent can burn some plants. Always test the lower leaves of plants first to make sure they aren't affected.

Root knot nematode

Add lots of organic matter to the soil and use crop rotation.  Companion plant with Marigolds

Molasses has been extensively trialed and found to be a very effective deterrent

Simply dissolve 1 litre of molasses in 4 litres of warm water, allow it to cool and use it to drench the soil.

This is a quick fix when needed

Scale, Aphids, Mites, Young Grubs or Preventative for Citrus Leaf Minor

Feed soil, strengthen foliage health with compost tea, fish emulsion, worm wee, comfrey tea etc.  Companion plant.  Manual squashing, avoid killing natural predators, hose aphids off leaves

100g chopped garlic bulbs

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

2 teaspoons liquid detergent

½ litre water

Soak garlic in oil for 24 hours. Mix detergent with water and add to the garlic mixture. Stir well, strain into a lidded glass jar, label as an insecticide and refrigerate. To make up the spray, dilute 5ml of mixture in 1 litre of water. Spray directly on to the pest

It's important to avoid using it in very hot weather (over 25 deg) because it can burn foliage.

Sap-Sucking Insects (aphids, lacebugs, bronze orange bugs, leafhoppers and whitefly)

Feed soil, companion plant, diversity, foliage feed sprays.  Pick off diseased leaves.

10 grams grated soap

1 litre of water

Simply measure grated pure soap or soap flakes and dissolve it in a litre of warm water. Pour it into a spray bottle, give it a good shake and spray it all over the insects.

Do it 3-4 times every 5 days to put a stop to big infestations.  Do it late in the day when temperatures are cool to avoid leaf burn.

Snails

Attract predators, remove hiding places (pots/ bricks with holes etc.) Snails don’t like to get their foot dirty! They tend not to travel over some substances such as: Shell grit, Hair cuttings or, Sawdust Sprinkle them around the base of seedlings and other snail delicacies to keep the snails out.  Normal mulch.

Place saucers of beer near seedlings and other plants that are susceptible to snail attack. The snails are attracted to the smell of the beer.

They consume it, become drunk, fall into the saucer and drown.  Use margarine containers with slippery sides.

Poisoning snails is poisoning the food chain and you may just kill a blue tongue lizard.

Cabbage Moth

Companion plant, scattered planting, not in rows, attract predators such as wasps and birds.  Manually squash caterpillars.  Manual squashing. To stop cabbage moths laying eggs on your veggie seedlings, scatter empty eggshell halves amongst your cabbages, broccoli, brussel sprouts and any other crops that get eaten by cabbage moth caterpillars. These territorial moths mistake the eggshells for other cabbage moths and leave the area.

Chilli

Garlic

Pyrethrum

 

 

Weeds

The best way to control weeds is to out compete them.  Ensure healthy soil and multilayered gardens so there is no room for weeds.

Boiling water will kill weeds if you pour it directly onto them. Take care not to get the water on the plants you want to keep in your garden though, as it will affect those too. This method is especially useful for paving cracks if all the plants between the pavers are weeds.  Vinegar will kill couch grass.

 

 

Blackspot on Roses

Decrease humidity around plants hygiene is important. That means you need to diligently remove infected material by hand, and pick up any diseased foliage that is lying around on the ground. Dispose of this in the centre of a hot compost.

1 litre skim milk

1 litre soapy water

or (preventative)

4.5 litres of water

3 level teaspoons of bicarbonate soda

3 tablespoons of fish emulsion

Stir the liquid to completely dissolve the bicarbonate powder. Spray it 3 times over 2 weeks to get on top of the problem then follow up with a weekly application saturating the plant each time.

NEVER spray in full sunshine or in the heat of the day as the leaves may burn. Instead wait until early evening.

Fungal infections: Powdery Mildew, down mildew, rust etc.

Decrease humidity around plants

4 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda

50 ml white oil

4 litres water

Full-cream milk sprayed onto the affected leaves will kill the fungus.

Spray foliage as required.

recent research suggests that potassium bicarbonate, rather than the kitchen variety bi-carb of soda is much more efficient.

Ants

Control scale or aphids that ants are attracted too.  Plant mint to deter ants.

Boiling water poured between pavers.

 

 

Some gardeners have found Molasses useful in repelling certain leaf chewers such as caterpillars. In this case, dilute 2 tablespoons of molasses in a litre of warm water and spray it on the foliage regularly.


IMPORTANT NOTE - Please take care with spraying and storing these preparations, especially with regard to children and pets. The strength of ingredients varies noticeably particularly in regard to garlic. These home remedies are designed to have a minimal impact on the environment, but no solution that is intended to kill should be regarded as safe.  When storing solutions keep out of reach of children and clearly label.


Natural Pest Control In The Home



Natural pest control, also known as integrated pest management, aims to use the least toxic methods to repel, control and eliminate pests.  It includes; monitoring the pest population, identifying the behaviour and homes of the pests, modifying habitats, repairing and installing structural barriers, removing food sources through improved inside and outside sanitation, and applying the least toxic approach to getting rid of the pest.

Ants

Cockroaches

Cats

Dogs

Fleas

Flies

Mosquitoes

Moths

Silverfish

Spiders

Weevils

NOTE

Developed by the Waste Planning and Education section of Lake Macquarie City Council.  There has been little to no scientific testing on listed hints.  Most methods are ‘old time’ favourites, traditionally used by our great grandparents.  They are offered in good faith but the author makes no guarantees, and takes no responsibility for, the effectiveness or results of these suggestions.  All chemicals, even natural ones, need to be used with care, always use personal protective equipment when using chemicals and store out of reach of children.

Further Info

Back to Growing Guide Index Page