How To Overcome The Limitations Of Natural Insecticides
June 19th, 2007Using natural insecticides as a means to control insect
infestations will take a little more diligence and persistence
then it would using their synthetic counterparts. Natural
insecticides are not a quick fix but in the long run the extra
work benefits everybody.
There are few things to keep in mind that will help you to
be able to overcome the limitations of natural insecticides.
But after these become second nature it will not seem so
bad.
Most gardeners on seeing a bug go straight to the sprayer.
After they drench everything within their garden they add a
little bit more for good measure. Often they cannot determine a
good bug from a bad bug and normally apply a broad based
insecticide.
As we know there are beneficial insects that we want to
encourage to remain in our garden and the last thing we want to
do is kill all the bugs with a broad based insecticide. Taking
the time to look to at which bugs are beneficial and that will
actually continue to help control insect infestation is going
to save you a lot of work in the long run.
Certain natural insecticides contain broad based
insecticides. Whether you choose a commercially prepared
natural insecticide or you whip one up yourself, keeping in
mind what type of natural insecticides you are putting down is
always a good idea. Choose the right natural insecticide for
the job and if you don’t have to use a broad based insecticide
don’t.
Choosing the right time of the day to apply your natural
insecticide can determine whether it is effective. Certain
natural insecticides cannot be applied during the hottest part
of the day or during a heat wave as this can make the
properties of the natural insecticide become inert. Many
natural insecticides lose their potency after it rains or you
water. Timing of the application of your natural insecticide to
when it will be the most beneficial can help you overcome this
limitation.
How you apply a natural insecticide can also contribute to
its effectiveness. If you have leaves that are covered in
aphids use your natural insecticide in liquid form and spray
directly on the leaves. Using a natural insecticide in a
powdered form to handle aphids under the leaves, isn’t
necessarily going to be as effective especially, if there’s any
kind of wind.
If you decide to make a tea out of your natural insecticide,
to sprinkle on leaves or around the ground, it is always a good
idea not to apply it during the hot part of the day. This can
damage the plant by scorching the leaves and burning the plant
in general. Also using the ‘tea” around the base of your plant
during the hottest part of the day could also shock the root
system.
Another common limitation found when using natural
insecticides is that they need to be applied more frequently
than their synthetic counterparts during an infestation. As
much as we enjoy the convenience of doing it once and being
able to forget about it, there is a reason that synthetic
insecticides keep on killing. Using a natural insecticide is
much gentler on the ecosystem because it doesn’t linger or
slowly leech into the plant or ground. Many natural
insecticides are safe to use right before harvest, as they do
not remain within the plant. During an actual infestation it
may be necessary to apply natural insecticides once a week or
after a rain.
The use of natural insecticides may take a little bit more
elbow grease when it comes to controlling insects that are
harmful to your garden. Understanding the limitations of
natural insecticides and preparing for them can help with your
gardening success.
