Natural Pest Control Rules

There is a story of how the miners would take a bird in a cage down into the mines. If the bird died then everyone would leave since they know something was wrong. The same is currently happening to us. The disadvantages of chemicals are well documented with the result being the depletion of top soil1and the extinction of many species of life; to the mutation of pests into greater pests, and the weakening of all living beings (environmental toxins cause eventual death and extinction). The depletion of the ozone layer is but one example of this. This is our BIRD, the earth is our cage. We must heed the warnings! Instead what we are doing is replacing the bird! This is not the answer.
The increasing use of synthetic chemicals in our daily lives is causing an increasing imbalance in Nature. When nature is out of balance it causes stress which in turn causes disorder and chaos. It is during this period that diseases and pests will strike. The plant and insect kingdoms are but mirrors of our world. More like a reflection, we see the results of our actions within the insect and plant worlds. How long can we ignore the chaos? It is for these reasons that natural non-chemical lifestyles are very important in developing a sustainable environment. This has created a demand for the knowledge of how it is done.

The science of organics is the understanding of the delicate balancing act which Mother Nature does every day. It is understanding this balance that makes organics work. Organics have been used in pest control and farming since prehistoric times. Chemicals are synthetic, temporary and unstable. Organics are natural, permanent and stable. Which is the Fad? But although organic sprays and dusts continue to play a crucial role, biological controls are of equal importance. By attaining a thorough understanding of the relationships between plants, soil, animals, insects and humankind, we can begin to understand the deeper relationship we all have with each other. This is the way the ancient farmers did it: by relying on nature's methods of maintaining balance.

Seven Fundamental Rules of Organic Pest Control by The Invisible Gardener

Rule #1

The Higher the Energy, The Greater the Balance; The Lower the Stress, The Less the Pest.

High energy soils provide greater balance which reduces stress and quiets the pest activity. All pest activity is linked to high stress levels. The greater the stress the less nutrition is available. Less nutrition increases stress! To put it in an easier terms to understand; Energy can be of either a low or high level.
When it comes to plants, they want the type of energy that can be converted into sugars which they need for the various plant functions such as assimilation and flowering. The higher energy sources provide to the plants a quick pick-me-up. Higher energy food sources are more easily absorbed than lower energy sources, which require more energy to assimilate, leaving the plant in a minus situation, which in turn causes stress etc. But if the plants are supplied with an abundance of food, a greater balance is achieved between the plant and its surrounding environment. It is through this balance that the stress of the plant is reduced. Reduced stress always equals reduced pests/disease.

Rule #2

Everything is Linked Together What happens to one affects the other. There is a Chain that links us all

Rule #3

Healthy Soil Equals Healthy Plants.

Providing a bacterial and minerally balanced soil insures correct nutritional availability to plants. Well-nourished plants develop stronger immunities to insect and disease attacks. Pests attack plants that are stressed out. See rule 1.

Rule #4

Always Strive to achieve Ecological Balance in your Environment. Avoid doing anything that causes imbalance. All Chemicals cause imbalance, upset the environment and increase stress. See rule 1.

The Invisible Gardener says: The best way to help mother nature
is to get out of her way!

Rule #5

Use only Natural Fertilizers and Natural Pest Control Methods.

The Rule of Stress applies to all living things. Chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides cause imbalance. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers. Don't use Urea based products! Urea kills the beneficials, and stays in the soil for years. To have healthy soil you must have a diversity of bacteria and minerals, which is not possible when using chemicals. Chemicals kill earthworms, destroy bacteria, lock up minerals in the soil, and cause illness by weakening the biological systems, opening them to attack from diseases or pests. High nitrogen causes too-rapid plant growth and tender plants as well as being the main cause of many types of fungus.

Rule #6

Insects Develop Immunities to Pesticides. People do not.

While it is easy to understand that pest develop immunities to pesticides, I find it hard to believe that people think that they are immune to pesticides at all. Think about it, people.

Rule # 7

Avoid Killing whenever possible.

The idea that pest control means killing the pest has developed through the high pressure tactics of chemical sales people. To sell more and more chemicals is indeed their goal. Killing upsets the natural balance. Let Mother Nature do this for you. She has already set up a system of her own that works. There are many ways to control the behavior of pests. Only as a last resort do you kill pests. This is not a radically new idea. All cultures through out the world respect their insect brothers except the white man.
The Invisible Gardener says: "It's not the plants that are hooked on the chemicals, It's the people using them!"

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1. What's left is nothing but sterile and lifeless. 2...Frogs actually eat up a great deal of insects and should always be welcome in the garden. Plus some of them are princes in disguise!

Last Update: March 10, 2013

see also Rasied beds and Pest Control

andy lopez

Invisible Gardener

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