Organic Pesticides
and Natural Pest Control

Organic pesticides and natural pest control are among the first priorities in making sustainable choices. It can seem daunting but it's really rather simple.

Our household has been free of chemical pesticides since 2006. Coincidentally, that was also the last time any of us faced a serious illness, such as the flu or a cold.

Sadly, this connection is something often overlooked. We have campaigns to cure diseases, but too few of us stop to ask what it is causes them in the first place. Sufficient evidence exists to tell us the answer; we just need to accept it's true.

The Dangers of Chemical Pesticides

Do I really need to tell you why you shouldn't be using pesticides? How are these for just a few examples:

• Pesticide has been linked to brain damage, hormone imbalances, weakened immune system, several types of cancer, lymphoma, Parkinson's, infertility, miscarriage and birth defects just to name a few.¹
• Pesticides are rarely discriminatory and also kill beneficial insects, such as bumblebees and butterflies which are crucial to the eco-system's pollination process and without which we would struggle to grow much of our food.
• Pesticides kill the primary food source for many birds and amphibians.
• An average of over 200 chemicals is found in a newborns blood stream¹⁹. A brand new baby!

Read more about the dangers of pesticides here.

Preventing Pests in the Home

The first and most important part of natural pest control is prevention. Keeping insects out of our homes may eliminate the need for further intervention.

• Start by removing all attractants such as dripping or standing water, dirty dishes, sticky counters or pet food sitting on the floor. Clean up places where insects may lurk, such as piles of building materials, yard waste or junk. Keep trash cans (indoor and outdoor) clean. Be sure to wipe up spills in your cupboards, as well.
• Check your windows and doors for cracks or openings where insects can get through and seal all drafts. Don't forget to check places such as electrical outlets, pet doors, baseboards, etc to avoid creepy crawlers crawling into your home.
• Beneficial bugs, such as ladybugs, praying mantis, or lacewings all feast on small insects that may invade your space. Many spiders, such as "daddy long legs", are beneficial also and can be placed outside if they happen to wander in.
• Insect traps capture insects with sticky glue, similar to fly paper, and allow you to pick them up and throw them out. Bait traps actually lure the insects to the trap and should be set on the perimeter of your property, away from your home. Many bait traps can be used over again, as well.
• Birds! Set up a birdbath and feeder to lure these feathered friends into your yard and let them feast on the outdoor insects. You'll be rewarded with less insects and a beautiful song! (I'd say you'd "kill two birds with one stone" but that wouldn't seem right.)
• Chickens are also a great way to rid your yard of insects and they supply you with a local source of food with their eggs.
• Try insect-repelling plants such as Marigolds and Thai Lemongrass which are said to repel many types of insects including mosquitoes. They can be planted around the outside of the house as a barrier to keep bugs out.

For more ideas on organic pesticides, natural pest control and prevention, check out Organic Gardening.

Organic Pesticides for the Home

It is important to realize, as pesky as bugs can be, they are a crucial link in our eco-system. We may not like them, but we do need them and it is important whenever possible to avoid eliminating them.

The following products are considered organic pesticides and are non-toxic and safe to use around children and pets.

• Diatomaceous Earth, or DE, is a sedimentary rock consisting of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. In it's finely ground form it is an effective organic pesticide by dehydrating the insect. It works well with roaches, ants, slugs, spiders and nearly all other insects. The powder can be sprinkled around wherever insects frequent, or you can mix it in water and use it as a spray (it doesn't completely dissolve; this method just allows it to be applied more effectively. DE can also hurt beneficial insects, so use with caution!
• Neem Oil, from the seed of a Neem tree, has been used for centuries in organic farming practices, as well as by cultures worldwide as an organic pesticide. It can be sprayed in and around the home, near doors, or along baseboards and works as a repellent. Neem can also disrupt an insect's ability to eat, breed or grow.
• Garlic Oil or spray can be made at home with fresh minced garlic soaked for 2-3 weeks or boiled in water and strained. This can be sprayed in and around the home, near doors and along baseboards to repel most insects.

There are many homemade natural pest control concoctions out there; some people swear by them and others swear at them! Be sure when trying anything - from a commercial product to a homemade experiment - to read all directions and research the safety of any ingredients. Just because it's organic, doesn't mean it's always safe for use around kids or pets.

A Safer (but not the safest) Alternative to Chemical Pesticides

It's not quite an organic pesticide but if you are still struggling with persistent insects (like roaches!), there is a safer alternative to spraying a chemical pesticide. Try my mom's old recipe:

• Boric acid (found at hardware stores)
• Enough sugar and shortening to make golf-ball size, doughy balls

The sugar will appeal to small black "sugar" ants and the shortening will appeal to cockroaches and "grease" ants. These boric acid balls can be hidden behind the fridge, in the walls or stuck under cupboards. They can also be hidden outside anywhere dark, moist conditions make breeding grounds for insects.

The benefit of these "roach balls" is that the chemical is contained and not being sprayed throughout the entire house or seeping into the ground, affecting our nervous systems and the health of our children, pets or garden. And often the insects take it back to their nest, which can eliminate the entire problem. (I haven't yet tried it but I've heard you can make this recipe into an organic pesticide by substituting the boric acid for DE, listed above.)

However contained this may be, please keep in mind that it can still dangerous to pets and children. Hide them well...or better yet, do everything in your power to avoid their use as you continue going green at home.

Ready For More Sustainable Baby Steps?

This article on organic pesticides is a lot to take in and may even take some time to implement. Don't worry! Just apply what you can and keep learning more.

When you're ready for a few more steps:

Whatever step you take, remember to have fun!

#1-168 For references on this or other pages, please visit environmental articles.