Implementation of Insect Control
Step 5

For insect control, a major factor influencing the selected tactic is its actual implementation.

Note: Before implementing any control, make sure that you have followed the previous four steps. Review the first four steps

Knowing what to do and how to do it is necessary when you decide to implement the control tactic. 

• Handpicking - When you handpick is important for efficient control.  For example, I found that early morning or late afternoon (just before dark) is the most effective at catching Tomato Hornworms.  Tomato Hornworms are more active at those times of the day than in the hot part of the day. 
• Beneficial insect - Make sure you research the beneficial insect you are going to release. You may release parasitic wasps or ladybeetles all at once, but if you release them at the wrong time (when the pest is abundant) or not at mixed intervals the beneficial insect may die or fly away.
• Insect Barriers and traps - Study the insect pest's biology. What attracts them? When and where are they most active? This will determine how and where you set the trap.
  
  In our area, in Southern California, there is a time in the summer where we are inundated with a massive population of earwigs. They crawl into the house and are generally a nuisance. I noticed that most of them are on the "lighted" porch and lamp post. The light in our house was attracting them. So I rigged a lamp close to the ground out on my front porch to attract them. AMAZING! It worked. They all congregated near the lamp and stayed out of the house. I just collected them up and fed them to my Tilapia. EASY!
  
  Ironically, after that year the earwigs have not been a problem like we saw in previous years.

Become a Garden Sage and Intuitively Know What to Do

With time and observation, you will become intuitive, knowledgeable about your organic garden, and will be able to predict population trends and resultant damage. With "observation" you will be able to quickly ascertain, if not predict, future results and head them off with the right tactic. Once you attain this "garden sage" status, you will be able to plan with the gentlest of insect control tactics.

Next Step - Step 6 - After Implementation of Insect Control comes re-assessment

Return back to Seven Steps to Successful Organic Pest Management