A New Approach to Pest Control

The EPA is the federal agency responsible for regulating pesticides. The group also sets tolerance levels for pesticide residue in our food. When the agency began taking a closer look at some of the most toxic pesticides used in home and commercial gardening, organophosphates such as Dursban and Diazinon topped the list. The agency determined these chemicals cause more harm than previously thought.

Organophosphates kill insects by disabling their nervous systems. Unfortunately, these chemicals--derived from phosphoric and other acids--can have a similar effect on humans and other animals.

Besides the danger they pose to humans, these chemicals are also broad-spectrum pesticides that destroy all insects, whether pests or beneficials. So as they rid your garden of Japanese beetles they also kill the resident Ladybugs.

What you can do
The EPA will be phasing out more chemical pesticides, and home gardeners will be faced with the challenge of dealing with pests in a new fashion. Though chemical manufacturers will surely come up with new pesticide choices, pesticides are not the only solution to pest problems. So how can you control pests without harsh chemicals?

The first step is to know your enemy. Identifying problem pests will allow you to tailor your solution to the specific pest. Our new Bug Mugs feature can help you pick out the culprits from their "mug shots" and offers tips on using natural methods to eradicate the bad guys while leaving the good guys alone.

No one wants to see their hard work ruined by hungry aphids, but before you take action against a pest, step back and look at your garden as a whole. Unless you have a severe infestation, consider tolerating a certain amount of pest damage in your garden. A few nibbled leaves here or there won't cause significant harm, especially to plants that are reaching the end of their life cycle.

There are also a number of preventative measures you can take to make your garden a welcome retreat for beneficial insects yet undesirable to noxious pests. Our Innovative Gardener shares some helpful hints you can use today to build a healthier, more pest-resistant garden.

For More information
We applaud the efforts of the EPA to rid our environment of the most toxic chemicals. There are, however, many other toxins that are still on the market. The Environmental Protection Agency site includes regulatory information, scientific reports and educational materials.

For information about alternatives to pesticides visit the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides.

The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit environmental research group, maintains information on all types of pesticides, as well as other environmental issues.

To learn about current legislation and pesticides at schools, visit Beyond Pesticides: National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides.

For information about pesticides around the world visit the Pesticide Action Network. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail: info@gardeners.com

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