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Organic Pesticides

Organic Pesticides could destroy other natural or beneficial viruses, bacteria, worms and other pests. So the search was on for something natural or that could be made from natural substances. Organic pesticides can be made using viruses. For example, we have noticed that a local variety of beans gets infested by a worm. As we know that a local variety of beans has to be eaten by us and not by the worm, we have to get rid of this worm. It is found that even the worm in the bean has a disease. A virus causes this. The virus is isolated in a laboratory, and developed as a pesticide which farmers can use as an organic pesticide. If a pesticide is created from a virus or other micro-organisms or anything similar that is made from natural elements it is an organic pesticide. Organic gardeners prefer not to use any kind of spray to control pests, relying instead on resistant plant varieties and good cultivation, but there are certain times when this approach is just not enough. Organic gardeners then have to resort to something more drastic – and there are in fact several pesticides that they can use. Here are four of the most effective:

BT (Bacillus Thuringiensis)

These are bacterial spores that produce a protein which is toxic to some insects. BT, usually applied as a drench, kills caterpillars by paralyzing their mouthparts and gut. It is often used as a last, organic resort to control cabbage-white caterpillars. It should not be used near the host plants of non-harmful butterfly larvae such as nettles.

Derris powder

This is derived from the roots of the derris plant and is extremely effective against plant lice, blackfly and other aphids, as well as flea beetles, raspberry beetles and sawfly larvae. It is harmful to some beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, though not to bees.

Pyrethrum

An extract of the daisy-like pyrethrum flower, pyrethrum is harmful to all aphids – and many beneficial insects, although its effect is not long lasting. Use it in the evening, when most insects are not flying around.

Rapeseed Oil

A quick spray of this oil will control aphids, greenhouse and brassica whitefly, thrips, scale insects and red spider mites by suffocating them. Seedlings and some plants, such as fuchsias and begonias, are damaged by rapeseed oil, so it should never be sprayed in areas where these are growing.

Why we don't use organic pesticides
It's a deliberate choice that we make to not use pesticides in any form - organic or chemical. And, while this choice comes at a cost (it rules out growing many exotic plants) it offers some decent rewards as well. The main reward being that we have very few pests that visit my garden. Year after year the problems occur and the gardener just looks for ways to better manage the pests. They start with chemical sprays but then realize that this can't be doing the environment any benefit, so they turn to organic pesticides as an alternative. Needless to say, many organic pesticides contain chemicals anyway - detergents, soap flakes, bi-carb soda and a plethora of other acids or alkalis. Most gardeners tend to find plants that they want to grow and then add them to their garden. Then, an assortment of pests seem to turn up as though someone's put on a buffet and the only way they leave is when they're carried out in the garbage - after a decent spray.