Chemical Pesticides

No garden is pest-free. But a well-tended garden contains a balance of beneficial predators and healthy, resistant plants- along with a tolerable number of undesirable insects and other pests. Use pesticides only if an infestation is causing extreme damage and can’t be otherwise controlled. Start with the least toxic substance possible and more gradually to stronger measures as needed.

Pesticides are derived from a range of organic and synthetic sources and are available in liquid or dry form. Many gardeners prefer organic types, which are made from bacteria, viruses, fungi, fatty acids, minerals, oils, and plants; they decompose quickly into nontoxic substances that won’t harm the environment.

Pesticides are generally sprayed or dusted on plants or soil. Where they suffocate, paralyze or poison insects on contact or by ingestion. You must completely cover the affected plant or soil surface, including the leaf undersides.

Systemic insecticides are absorbed by the plant and circulated by its sap, and can’t be washed away. Pests are killed when they feed on any part of the plant.

Be sure to identify the pest correctly and choose the appropriate pesticide. Find out about its life cycle and habits so you can treat it effectively. In other words, know your enemy!

Many pesticides harm bees and other desirable insects. Try to use the most “specific” substance possible—one that targets the pest you want to control. And don’t apply a bee-killing pesticide during bloom time when bees are more active.

Horticultural oils which include dormant oil and summer oil are used to smother eggs and developing insects on trees and ornamentals. Use the heavier dormant oil in the late winter or early spring, once temperatures are over 40°F but before plants leaf out. Use the lighter summer oils any time the temperature is below 85°F, which is most of our growing season in the Long Beach area.

Insecticidal soap is one of the best cures of soft-bodies pests like aphides, mites, white fly and leaf miners, the most common pests in our area. It is safe to use on most plants and is nontoxic to beneficial insects and animal. But don’t spray in direct sun, extreme heat, or during a drought.

Read more – The ins and outs of using pesticides safely