Pest Control Without Pesticides

OKLAHOMA COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE2500 NE 63rd Street

Ask a Master Gardener713-1125

okmganswers@gmail.comfactsheets.okstate.edu

Integrated Pest Management

Techniques to reduce the need for pesticides.

❖Maintaining healthy plants to resist insects and diseases better

❖Encouraging natural predators

❖Using non-chemical means to remove insects

❖Choosing a pesticide that is least toxic and pest-specific

Overview

• Cultural Control Practices

• Mechanical Pest Controls

• Botanical Pest Controls

• Critters

Cultural Practices• Rotate veggies and flowers every 2 years

Nematodes

• Remove dead, dying, and diseased

• Remove debris – diseases overwinter

Cultural Practices• Clean tools with 10% bleach solution

• Water without splashing on leaves

• Purchase resistant varieties

Mechanical Controls• Row covers

• Toilet Roll around stems

• Destroying insects

• Sticky tapes and stakes

• Shingle traps

Mechanical Controls• Water sprays

• Diatomaceous Earth

Mechanical Controls• Kaolin Clay

• Bird Scare tape

Or toy windmills

• Place plastic lids under vining veggies

• Consider a fall veggie garden

Botanical

❖Pyrethrins

❖Horticultural oils

❖Wine

❖Bt

❖Insecticidal soaps

• Encourage Predators

Critters

grasshoppers

earwigs

leaf footed bugs

squash bugs

aphids

spider mites

squirrels

caterpillars

mint being eaten by something unknown

deer

Your Concerns