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Basic Methods Of Natural Pest Control
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The most effective way to protect a plant is to strengthen it; this can be done by adopting special cultivation methods and with the management of the environment.
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Companion Plants These are plants that are planted together, with the aim of one plant protecting the other against specific pests and diseases. Some plants contain and exude chemicals that are toxic to pets and diseases or repel pests. An example is planting garlic plants around the edges of a vegetable patch. The garlic will repel pests such as cutworms and thereby prevent damage to the vegetable. |
Plants Have Components that are Toxic to Insects An example of this would be the pyrethrum daisy (chrysanthemum sp), which contain Pyrethrum. The pyrethrum can be extracted from the plant and used as a spray as well. |
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Traps Traps are effective if they are used early enough, these could be as basic as a light trap for nocturnal insects or more complex such as pheromone traps. |
Natural Enemies It’s important to understand that every insect has its place in the ecosystem, but it is only when man manipulates the environment and produce a crop that a certain insect becomes a pest. Natural enemies of insects must be utilised to their optimum ability. Different categories of natural enemies are found such as: Predators - Spiders, ladybird beetles, ground beetles and syrphid flies. Parasites - Wasps and flies. Pathogens - Fungi, bacteria or viruses. Nematodes - Small microscopic worms found in soil.
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Basic Soil Conservation Soil erosion destroys the most fertile part of the soil. There are several ways you can reduce soil erosion. Work on reducing the impact of wind and water on the soil. A large amount of soil at all times. Improve rain infiltration. Reduce the flow rate of water across the soil. Plant a cover crop to protect the soil. |
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Crop Rotation Each plant type has different requirements that it sources from the soil and will therefore occupy different areas in the soil. Rotating plants allows the soil to be built up as different plants add different characteristics to the soil. Crops Rotation also ensures that pathogens do not build up in the soil. Crop rotation also means there is a diversity of crops, which builds in protection for the farmer. |
