Are there alternatives to using pesticides

A natural balance is reached in an environment where we can find both prey and predators. A solution can be to encourage wildlife in the garden, animals such as ladybirds feed on aphids and birds like wrens, robins, and blackbirds can catch snails and caterpillars.

To attract beneficial animals into your garden you can sow a wide range of flowers to promote diversity in species, or build shelters for small animals like hedgehogs or feeders for birds. Make sure there is a source of water always available, a birdbath can be made using a shallow bowl where birds can drink and wash themselves.

Also bird feeders should be placed in sheltered positions out of the reach of squirrels and rats. Pathogenic nematodes are multicellular insects that combat a variety of pests selectively, by attacking, killing or feeding on those. Many plant diseases are caused by inappropriate environmental conditions.

Fungi and other disease agents can spread easily in humid conditions where air cannot circulate properly. The use of biopesticides in U. Many farmers use them as part of their Integrated Pest Management IPM programs so they can rely less on higher-risk pesticides and effectively produce higher crop yields and quality with lower impact on the environment.

We have long been committed to encouraging the development and use of low-risk biopesticides as alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides, and our commitment and efforts will continue over time.

They do not change anyone's rights or obligations. For example, UK farmers plant tussock grass to cut across the middle of their agricultural field, giving a home to beetles and spiders that would protect the nearby crops from aphid pests. To read more about beetle banks, click here. Each of these alternatives have a different scalability in agricultural production.

But hopefully you can implement some of these alternatives in your own backyard or urban farm! Insect growth regulator topical 3. Lufenuron pills 1. Fipronil 2. Methoprene 3. Lefenuron 1. Frontline 2. Program Fleas indoors 1.

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