Natural Plant Bug Killers
The increasing interest in organic growing practices has forced many gardeners and farmers alike to re-evaluate the use of pesticides. Many pesticides today are highly toxic not only to bugs, but to people as well. They are also extremely persistent and can remain in soil for long periods, with the potential of contaminating ground water. There are natural alternatives. Plant-based products that are relatively safe for people to use and are biodegradable are becoming increasingly available on the market and increasingly popular as a safer solution to killing bugs. Does this Spark an idea?
Beauveria Bassiana
Beauveria bassiana is a fungus, a form of simple plant, that kill insects when they come in contact with its spores. The spore will infect the insect and use it as a host to grow on, killing the insect in the process. The fungus is completely natural and can be used as a biological pest control. Beauveria bassiana comes as a powder or spray.
Pyrethrum Daisies
Pyrethrum daisies have been used since ancient times as a treatment for bugs. The flowers of the daisies contain pyrethrins, naturally occurring insecticides that paralyze and kill insects. Pyrethrin-based insecticides are available in powder or liquid form and can be dusted or sprayed on plants to kill bugs. Natural pyrethrins should not be confused with synthetically produced pyrethroids, which are far less biodegradeable than natural pyrethrins and can contaminate ground water.
Neem
Neem is a type of tree indigenous to South Asia, and grows well in tropical and sub-tropical areas throughout the world. The neem tree has been used for centuries to produce natural pesticides. Neem seeds are first crushed. Then water or alcohol is used to extract azadirachtin, the primary constituent that acts as a pesticide, from within the seeds. Neem oil, from the seeds, can also be used to kill insects. Trilogy is a commercially available neem oil that has azadirachtin.
Rotenone
Rotenone is a non-synthetic pesticide that is derived from several species of tropical shrubs. It is completely natural and biodegradable, breaking down quickly on exposure to sunlight. It is readily available from garden centers and nurseries, and comes in a powder form that can be mixed with water to produce a spray. Care should be taken when using rotenone around ponds and other bodies of water, as it is highly toxic to fish.
Nicotine
Tobacco is used as a source of nicotine, a powerful bug killer. Available in liquid form as a 40-percent concentrate of nicotine sulfate, this pesticide is diluted with water and applied as a foliar spray. It is especially effective when applied in warm weather and degrades quickly after application. It is particularly good at killing soft-bodied insects like aphids, whiteflies and thrips.
Tags: kill insects, Beauveria bassiana, been used, comes powder, completely natural, ground water