Selection of Insect Control Tactic
Step 4

Selection of Insect Control Tactic is easy, because you have an impressive array of natural control tactics at your disposal.

Whenever Organic Garden Information presents information on an insect,I will give the most appropriate natural controls available for that insect.

The tactics available vary with the crop, pest, time of year, and geographic region. Whatever tactic you decide start with the gentlest tactic first. If the pest is persistent and populations are too high for gentle action, then proceed from there to more weighty measures.

Tactics available (in weighted order) for natural pest control

1. Prevention - The basic and most important strategy behind Organic Pest Management (OPM) is prevention.
   
   Prevention starts with a balanced eco-system in your organic garden. Think of the  whole garden in terms of soil, water, plants, microorganisms and air when working towards a balanced insect population.
   
2. Clear the garden of debris - This includes boards, trash and excess organic matter that is not being used as a mulch.
   
3. Crop rotation - Crop rotation is important to ensure the health of the soil.
   
4. Planting disease and insect resistant varieties - choose healthy plants from established garden centers and seeds from seed companies with an established record of success.
   
5. Intercropping - plant plants next to one another that compliment each other physically and physiologically.
   
6. Beneficial insects - attract or purchase these insects for your garden.
   
7. Handpicking insects -often just hand picking the insects off the plant is a great control.
   
8. Insect Barriers and traps.
1. Sticky traps can be handmade or purchased commercially.
2. Pitfall traps are sometimes used to help collect and observe crawling insect pests. (see Snail traps as an example)
3. Barriers are used to prevent damage from certain insect pests. Instead of trapping, barriers block feeding activity of the pests.  Insect-collars and  soil shields fit this purpose.
9. Safe, natural and environmental insecticides.
   

Next Step - Step 5 - After selection of insect control tactic, go to Implementation of Insect Control

Return back to Seven Steps to Successful Organic Pest Management