Board member Everett Codd shares a recent pesticide-free/low pesticide pest control solution used in his yard!

“I was looking at my roses and found both aphids and worms.”

“Early detection and treatment is extremely important when using pollinator safe pesticides.  These alternatives are effective when following the label information and utilizing multiple tools at once.”

“The additional soap is highly recommended as it too acts as an alternative pesticide. The liquid soap smothers and suffocates the pest in addition to sticking the pesticide product.”

“Fun fact, it was a NCAP lawsuit that forced the EPA to require the disclosure of inert or ‘Other Ingredients’. This is extremely important as these inerts have impacts on plant and human health outcomes. In this case there is the risk of sunburn from the additional oils. If over 65F, apply at dusk and rinse off in the morning to avoid burn. The plant's leaves also grow past it, where the bud is ruined by pests.”

"For aphids I follow a least toxic approach. First just the soap, it does control them by destroying the waxy outer coating. The addition of the oils is for the worm/larvae, coating the insects causing death. The soap and oils control both targets without toxins, using multiple modes of action."

"Neem oil contains the toxin Azadirachtin, which is what produces the pesticide impact. There are continuing contamination issues with neem, please only use a product tested and certified contaminate free. I do use neem in my spray program, but after the least toxic materials have begun to diminish return or the weather turns hot. I use multiple products for different targets at different times to be most effective."

"The neem is used as a dual mode of action as well, I always try to use two materials for maximum impact when using organic pesticides. The Azadirachtin and Pyrethrins are highly effective middle treatments. I also use Bt and Spinosad in certain heavy pest situations."

"Castile soap, one to four oz per gallon of water is the concentration of this mix, use less soap if using other materials. I always use the soap in my tank mix. The fancy name for soap is Potassium Salts of Fatty acids (look for it on other labels, example below)!"

To learn more about how to deal with pests in your home or garden visit pesticide.org/resources_for_pests for specific solutions.