Garden Weed Control

Everyone has a plant they fancy and these desirable plants occupy prime space in one's garden. Those undesirable plants, those that grow uncontrollably, those that are homes to bugs and insects are weeds. People employ different methods of garden weed control to maintain the landscape of their garden and over time an effective garden weed control program should reduce the growth of these unwelcome plants.

The first time one plants a flower bed; one would notice an increasing presence of weeds. This is so because the now fertile soil conditions provide optimal conditions for weed seeds under the soil surface to grow. One method of garden weed control requires initial precautionary measures. Before one begins to plant seeds it is important to clear out the soil. After soil preparation allow one or two weeks to pass before planting seeds. This allows the weed seeds to germinate and raking eliminates these. It is important to not rake too deep for this allows dormant weed seeds deep in the soil to germinate. This method of garden weed control nips the growth of weeds in the bud before it is allowed to grow and become an unsightly problem. A further way of garden weed control is when planting a fresh flower bed it is important not to disturb the soil too much. This is again to prevent inactive weed seeds under the soil from germinating.

Another means of garden weed control is mulching. Once a flower bed is planted, one can apply organic mulch between the flowers. Make sure the soil is covered entirely but also that the mulch does not touch the stems of your plants. Organic mulch is not only a method of garden weed control but is also useful as it helps keep an optimum soil temperature and also for it lessens the water requirement of the soil.

Garden weed control requires one to be attentive to one's garden and to the growth of new weeds. A watchful eye would tell one when a weed is emerging and here it is best to immediately remove the weed by the root. A stirrup hoe or a circle hoe can help one in picking out these weeds.

However in spite of all the measures taken for garden weed control, some perennial weeds may still appear in your flower beds. For such perennial weeds, one can adopt the garden weed control method of spot treatment with herbicide. Follow instructions that come on the herbicide bottle. If one has a crowded flowerbed, use a shield such as a trash can lid to protect one's flowers. Also when purchasing an herbicide, it is important to verify if the herbicide will be effective to the weeds in one's garden.

Garden weed control methods can be effective if one is vigilant and has a watchful eye to the growth of weeds in one's garden. This ensures weeds are not allowed to grow.

Organic Pesticide

Some farmers nowadays try to use an organic pesticide instead of a synthetic one. Many 'green groups' are pleased with this trend. It is apparent that people are becoming more conscious of the impact that their actions leave on their environment. This has lead to a situation where many have opted for what they believe to be the more environmentally-friendly choice. Recent research however, has shown that an organic pesticide is not always the more environmentally-friendly choice. The topic is therefore, quite a controversial one.An organic pesticide could be made with use of things that we use fairly commonly.

If you do know something about these pesticides you may have heard of insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, sabadilla and potassium bicarbonate. Some of these chemicals and powders can be used to create an organic pesticide There are many advantages of using such pesticides. You must however, keep in mind that, there are also certain disadvantages of using such insect repellents. Usually an organic pesticide will not protect plants from insects
for a long time and should be applied fairly constantly. Many synthetic pesticides provide protection to plants for a longer duration. The former usually takes a longer period of time to activate.You can save the money that you spend on synthetic pesticides by making an organic pesticide at home. You don't need anything special to create most such pesticides. Alcohol, soap, garlic, salt and flour could be used in some cases.
You might be interested (and a trifle disgusted) to know that you can use dead bugs to create an organic pesticide. You must be careful however, not to use mosquitoes, flies and some other insects. Otherwise you may end up getting sick yourself! 

Therefore before you try to create your own pesticides at home, make sure that you have a sufficient understanding of them.Many campaigners are unaware that an organic pesticide could be as harmful as a synthetic one in certain cases. This might be a nasty surprise for some who have promoted these pesticides. This is one other reason that you must get an understanding of these pesticides. Find out the more environmentally-friendly ones and use them. Make sure that you get the quantity right. By spraying an organic pesticide at the correct time you can minimize the damage caused to the environment. For example pesticides like rotenone should be applied during the evening, at the time when bees are not very active, in order to minimize damage caused to them by the pesticide.

Some 'green trends' that were initiated with noble intentions turned out to be more harmful than the 'illness that they were supposed to heal.' Organic pesticides could suffer the same fate. More awareness of proper use of such pesticides could address this problem. In the future the damage caused to the environment by pesticides could be minimized through such prudent action. This requires the participation of everyone….. including you.

Garden Pests

A pest is defined as a living organism which causes damage directly or indirectly to crop plants domesticated animals or humans. Garden pests are organisms which are actively causing damage to flora in gardens. They do so by employing a variety of methods and the damage they cause may not always be apparent. Some pests such as caterpillars and leaf miners defoliate gardens by feeding on the leaves and stems of garden plants and leaving behind skeletonized remains. Insects like aphids and whiteflies suck plant juices and leave behind withered stems and trunks. Some garden pests transmit plant viruses and other disease causing pathogens to their host while feeding on it. Such plants experience growth deterioration and are likely to die. Mollusks, birds, rodents and even larger mammals are identified as garden pests when they cause damage to your garden. However in most cases insects are the primary type of garden pests and the damage they cause is often extensive owing to their rapid growth and reproduction rates. If not monitored and controlled insect pest populations can increase dramatically over a short period and can cause irreversible damage to your garden. Early detection and control are the best ways to prevent and counteract the activity of garden pests.

There are a number of ways to control garden pests. The most effective methods are chemical and biological control methods. The first step in keeping your yard and garden free of pests is to keep it clean. Weeds, pet droppings, rotting leaves are among the living and breeding grounds of some of the common pests. By removing the debris from your garden, you eliminate one more attraction for pests. Biological control methods are an environmentally sound way of controlling garden pests and there are simple approaches to this type of pest control. Plants like basil, garlic, rosemary and nasturtium are known to deter a wide variety of garden pests. These plants can be strategically planted near flowerbeds and fruit trees to deter specific garden pests. Another effective method is introducing natural predators of garden pests to your garden. Ladybirds, mantises, toads and birds are natural predators of insect pests and you can make your garden a hospitable environment for these biological control agents. Ladybirds and praying mantis eggs are commercially available but you should gradually introduce them or risk another population crisis. Birdhouses and birdbaths will attract martins, bluebirds, sparrows and other birds whose diet consist mainly of insects. Learn which birds consume which insects since some birds will consume beneficial insects as well.

Chemical control methods involve the use of pesticides and fungicides. When used properly these do a very good job of protecting plants against pests and fungi, however due to their toxicity they also carry the potential to harm people, pets and other beneficial organisms in your garden. It is important to be aware of the target pest and select the appropriate pesticide and apply it at the right time in the correct quantity avoid unwanted damage. Speak to a gardening or pest control expert and acquire assistance when searching for the correct pesticide for your garden pest problem.

The concept of integrated pest management (IPM) has proven to be a useful, efficient and environmentally sound method of pest control. This method aims to manage pests and not eradicate them as it realizes that control methods may also harm potentially beneficial organisms in the environment. Furthermore totally eliminating the pest can cause disruptions in the food web of an ecosystem and can damage the ecosystem. Consult an IPM expert before introducing these methods to your garden.

Garden pests are unavoidable in most cases and they maybe present regardless of the measures taken to eliminate them. It is important to realize that only with proper control and management can you minimize the damage caused by them and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Garden Pest Control

Garden Pest Control entails the regulation and control of pests, which is a type of species that are damaging to plants. Garden pests diminish the quality and look of plants, bring a bad appearance to the garden overall. The types of garden pests are extensive; bring forth a need for numerous ways to control them all. Thus, garden pest control, too, is a vast and immense topic.

The first method of garden pest control is prevention. Prevention of pests should be a precaution taken by any gardener in relation to successful garden pest control. Keeping pests out is the most effective and easy method of pest control. There are a number of ways of preventing insect damage in the garden. One such technique is the removal of weak plants; they tend to attract pests and thus are best disposed of. Establishment of natural and healthy soil supports the growth of strong plants, making them less vulnerable to pests. Removal and destruction of weeds, which induce the breeding of pests, is a traditional and effective means of pest prevention. Another traditional pest prevention technique is to mix plants; since insects are attracted to certain plants, the mixing of crops can reduce the probability of pests spreading throughout crops.

Sometimes, efforts in preventing the trouble of garden pests are unsuccessful. When this occurs, it is time to move into other methods of garden pest control. This involves the destruction, removal and elimination of garden pests and ways of saving plants. Biological pest control is a main technique in garden pest control. This entails the manipulation of natural parasites in order to control a certain species of pest. Pests can also be exterminated by the destruction of their breeding ground. Usually, this would involve burning the particular breeding area of the pest in order to kill it. Yet another commonly used pest control technique is poison spray. Spray that is fatal to the particular pest is sprayed on the crops in order to prevent the spread of the pest or to eliminate the pest. There are many types of sprays, specific to various pests. Traps are also used in garden pest control and there are many kinds of traps. Fly-paper, pheromones, floating row covers are a few such traps.

It is necessary to mention that methods of garden pest control sometimes may bring negative and undesirable results. For example, poison spray may unexpectedly make crops unhealthy or in the worst cases, kill them. Insecticides can increase the acidity of soil dangerously, making the soil unsuitable for plant growth. Crops grown in such circumstances may be harmful to people, if consumed. Hence, necessary precautions should be taken when dealing with garden pests in order to avoid dire consequences.

Pest Control

Pests are everywhere. No matter how many tack-ticks you try out, in order to avoid their attacks and no matter how pricy the pesticides you apply are, at the end of the day, there is always a possibility of pests returning. Many have a very vague idea when it comes to what pests are and what they are capable of doing until the major, sometimes irreversible, damage is done.

A pest is an organism that is detrimental to any human activity causing health, ecological and economical issues. Even though it is commonly spoken about in agriculture, pests are not uncommon in homes and gardens. The variety of pests is many and the causes for their attacks can vary from moist wood to forgotten cupboards and plants that attract pests to seasonal changes.

Even though pest attacks cannot be diminished as a whole, it is possible to implement pest control methods in order to keep the damages at their lowest. Some of the most convenient, cheap and effective pest control methods that can be used in small scale inside buildings and in small gardens, and can also be used in larger scale in agriculture are discussed in this article.

One of the widely recommended, environmental friendly pest control method is the use of natural predators of pests to control them. These are biological methods that have no negative effect on nature. For centuries people have used such methods such as introducing fish to artificial ponds that are likely to be breeding grounds to mosquitoes. Another environmentally friendly method of pest control is to ensure that there are no possible breeding grounds around. For instance, if you fear termite attacks, you must make sure that there are no moist wood around the house and if it is mice that you fear about, your attics must be constantly cleaned.

Use of poison baits and traps are two other methods of pest control. These methods are commonly used to control mice, but their effectiveness is a matter to be rethought. A more convenient, modern version of the use of toxic substances would be the use of poison spray. It's a quick method to get rid of numerous pests including cockroaches, bugs, ants, termites and flies.

In severe cases of pest attacks, pest control methods like fumigation and space treatment are used. Even though comparatively expensive, they are the best pest control methods available and would destroy all life stages of the pest and keep them from coming back. Never the less, if you feel that the pests have grown beyond your control, or unsure of the best thing to do, it is wise to get a professional pest controller's advice before using specialized chemical substances.

Pest Control For Mice

The original habitat of the common mouse is the rolling fields of the country. These mice however gradually grew to depend on humans for their sustenance and once flourishing cities were established, migrated in droves and permanently settled, bringing with them a host of problems.

Mice and rats played main roles in an age old and famous story of death and disease: that of the Black Death in London in the year 1665. The pest control for mice at that time was rudimentary at best; people hunted down, trapped and burnt the carcasses, but were still not able to eradicate them, and so their numbers grew.

House mice are just as dangerous as their cousins, the notorious rat. In homes, they can chew up and contaminate food, gnaw on electrical wiring and other fixtures, and transfer diseases to humans.

House mice produce approximately fifty young annually and the importance of pest control for mice cannot be stressed enough. Such large numbers facilitate rapid propagation and needs to be contained before they become uncontrollable.

The pest control for mice is carried out by many pest control firms in the U.S. The methods they use for the pest control for mice are primarily chemical in nature, as it is quick and quite effective. They also set up traps and can free your house or office from the rodents in a couple of days.

But if pest control companies are too expensive, you can carry out the job yourself by purchasing one off devices that specialize in pest control for mice, such as the conventional mouse trap. The efficacy of the mouse trap depends largely on its design. Research shows that mouse traps with an expanded trigger catch more mice than the traditional design; you should also not rule out placing bait in the form of food, as this greatly increases the chance of the mouse being caught.

Another convenient piece of simple equipment that assists in the pest control for mice is the glue board. Mice which run across the board get stuck on the glue and then die of suffocation. Both methods can be used if you suspect there to be only a few mice living inside your home. For bigger numbers, you need to apply chemical treatments and this is where the pest control companies come in. If the infestation is not that alarming, though too large to be wiped out by mouse traps and glue boards, then there are commercial varieties in the market that can be used without professional help.

These measures are usually paired with bait and placed in strategic locations and continued until the mouse infestation dies off. This will take from three to four weeks.

Once the mice have been eradicated, the vigilant application of pest control for mice is very important to prevent future infestations.