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Natural Pest Control 101

6/6/2018

50 Comments

 
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One of the biggest factors contributing to the loss of Monarch butteflies and Milkweed is the use of pesticides and herbicides. Many pesticides contain neonicitinoids and glyphosates that are deadly to beneficial pollinators and Milkweed. 

Harmful herbicides and insecticides are used generously in agriculture as well as in gardens. For a list of garden products that contain these harmful ingredients click here. 

​What are neonicitinoids?

Neonicitinoids are a class of broad-spectrum insecticides that are very commonly used in agriculture as well in urban gardens. They are systemic which means the plants absorbs the compounds into its tissues and distributes them into its roots, leaves, and flowers. Thus, making the entire plant toxic to insects that feed on it, including pollinators such as bees and butterflies. They are harmless to humans in small doses but they attack the central system of insects, acting as a neurotoxin. ​

What can I do to help?

You can help by providing habitat, no matter how small, and by protecting the monarch by using natural pest control methods on your milkweed and other pollinator plants. ​ Below you will find a list of natural pest control methods that will not harm beneficial insects like monarchs. 
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Pepper and Garlic Spray

How to make it:
For a strong spray, crush 3 cloves of garlic and add 3 tablespoons of hot pepper flakes to a cup of boiling water. Allow it sit overnight. Strain out the garlic and pepper flakes in the morning. Adding a dash of dish soap or vegetable oil can also improve effectiveness. 

Used for: All garden pests. 

How to use it:
​Spray directly on the plant. Make sure to get the underside of leaves where many pests lay eggs. You can use this spray daily if you have a pest problem or less regularly as pest prevention. 
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Kaolin Clay

What is it?
Kaolin Clay is a natural mineral that is used for insect control on plants. It creates a thin barrier on the leaves which adheres to insects, causing excessive grooming, and thereby eliminating their urge to scavenge on the plant.

Used for: The use of Kaolin clay in the garden has been found to not only control insect pests but also protect the plant against sunburn or heat stress. You can purchase it online. 
​
How to use it:
To use Kaolin clay on plants, it must first be mixed with water and applied via a spray bottle. The clay particles are very fine therefore the spray bottle must continuously be agitated and applied liberally. 

  • Mix 1 part Kaolin clay to 8 parts water and add an extra dash of dish soap
  • Re-apply Kaolin clay for plants every week for at least 4 weeks
  • Insect control should occur within three applications
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Neem Oil

What is it?
Neem oil is derived from the Azadirachta indica evergreen tree native to the Indian subcontinent. Neem has a long history of being used in the garden as a natural insect repellent. 
​
Used for: mites, including aphids, white flies, snails, nematodes, mealybugs, cabbage worms, gnats, moths,cockroaches, flies, termites, mosquitoes, and scale.

How to use:
Spray directly on the plant, including the bottoms of leaves.

Diatomacious Earth

What is it?
Diatomaceous Earth is  made of fossilized shells of tiny organisms called diatoms. It looks like a white, chalky powder.          

Used for:
aphids, mites, ants, thrips, slugs, snails, and other soft bodied insects

How to use:
​Shake powder onto leaves or at base of plant OR mix with water to make a spray. It will cut soft parts of insects which kills the insects by dehydrating them.
50 Comments
Lori
11/18/2018 02:35:58 pm

Won't the DE kill the Monarch caterpillers if they crawl on it?

Reply
Rachel Flores
7/16/2019 08:04:21 am

Unfortunately, yes.

Reply
Correne
6/14/2021 11:41:13 am

the caterpillars tend to stay on the milkweed leaves and stems - if I use the DE for ants, and just dust the soil, would that be sufficient to rid my milkweed of ants without harming the caterpillars?

Pestman Pest control link
2/18/2019 03:01:45 am

There are also pest control treatments that are not harmful to you, your family or pets.

Reply
Rebecca
2/18/2019 06:30:56 am

I also have another blog written on pollinator safe pesticides.
https://www.saveourmonarchs.org/blog/pollinator-safe-pesticides-101 which includes guidelines on applying safely pesticides as well. Avoiding flowering plants and milkweed is one of the tips I provide.
These pesticides pose the least amount of threat to pollinators and minimize impact on them although no pesticides are completely safe for pollinators.

Reply
Sam Li link
3/27/2019 11:14:40 am

I appreciate what you mentioned about neem oil. I believe that pest control is something important for homeowners. If I were to notice pests in my home, I would make sure to find the best company in town.

Reply
izmir ilaçlama link
4/15/2019 04:47:27 am

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Bev Montague
8/22/2019 04:57:54 pm

Is a mix of garlic oil and cedarwood oil "bug spray" systemically absorbed in milkweed toxic to monarch butterfly caterpillars?

Reply
Spider control Hamilton link
10/4/2019 03:28:59 am

It’s really a nice and helpful piece natural pest control of info.I’m happy that you shared this helpful information with us.Please keep us up to date like this.Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Sam Li link
10/16/2019 02:29:10 pm

I love what you said about kaolin clay. Pest control is important for all climates. I'll be sure to find the best pest control company in the business.

Reply
Danica link
11/11/2019 09:23:11 pm

Appreciate the info. Now understand why Neem Oil works. Tough year for my garden but I live and learn.

Reply
Angie
5/12/2020 05:07:38 am

Neem oil kills monarch caterpillars in the slowest, worst way! Please don’t use neem oil!

Reply
Nancy Lemcke
12/17/2020 07:19:29 am

You are so right... Why isn't there a warning on the label, and why is it recommended by almost everyone?

Reply
Gloria
5/9/2021 12:30:05 pm

Thank you, Angie and also Nancy.
I had no idea that neem oil would be harmful to monarch (or other butterfly) caterpillars. The internet needs to be scoured. Too many sites are stating that neem oil won't adversely impact butterflies but they say nothing about butterfly caterpillars per se and then people just assume that all stages of the butterfly are safe with neem oil when it's simply not true.
I had applied neem oil an hour ago and then just sprayed it all off. My milkweed is afflicted by this winged insect (doesn't look like thrips) and the leaves are wilting and crinkling.
I'm glad I found your post and Nancy's. I have to wonder if it's too late for the milkweed that was sprayed with neem oil. Since it's an oil, would water have rinsed it all off?

Reply
Teresa Bolton
5/24/2020 06:41:40 am

I recently discovered termites in a bag of mulch, but did not see them until already dumping out the bag. (Despite what the exterminators have all been saying, yes you will find termites in bags of mulch.) Has anyone done the research or discovered how you can safely treat for termites when the milkweed plants are in the same area? I have milkweed all around my home and therefore the plants share the same area as my mulch. Thank you for any assistance.

Reply
Stacey
6/19/2020 08:32:29 am

So this just happened... Read this 'how to' article and had I not looked at the comments, exactly half of the "helpful hints" are wrong! This is laughable.

Reply
Pest Control Levin link
7/15/2020 01:23:33 am

Thank you for sharing this information. It was useful and interesting. You indeed have written it in a layman way so that anyone can understand regarding natural pests control and work accordingly. You have done a great job. If you are looking same kind of valuable information, then can also visit https://www.thepestman.co.nz/

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8/5/2020 02:18:38 am

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8/10/2020 09:37:12 am

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10/13/2020 01:21:40 am

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kent link
10/13/2020 01:33:48 am

Thank you for sharing this article,
It was very helpful for me.
Keep Sharing.

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Nancy Lemcke
12/17/2020 07:21:33 am

Please DO NOT use neem oil, it is toxic to caterpillars because they chew the leaves and ingest the neem substance.

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Victoria Painters link
10/22/2021 09:39:20 am

This is a tragedy to lose habitat and a vital food source of the Monarchs. It takes up to 5 generations of them to make the migration from Canada to Mexico.

Reply
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6/2/2022 10:33:15 pm

Natural or organic pest control management keeps everything safe while getting rid of unwanted guests. Definitely recommended option.

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7/12/2022 10:03:20 pm

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    Author

    Rebecca Chandler
    Garden Educator, Naturalist and Ethnobotanist

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