Closer to home, lawns are probably our largest monoculture. It has been said that nature abhors a monoculture and large fields consisting of one agricultural crop that need pesticides to thrive are a perfect example. Diverse plantings also act as a foil for insect infestations. A healthy plant is much more likely to survive an attack by harmful insects or disease. Proper cultural practice in the landscape starts with placing the right plant in the right place for the growing conditions, then caring for it appropriately with proper watering and fertilizer. For more information from the University of Florida about structural pests and their control, visit. This reduces the possibility that termites can move across the treated soil to get to the foundation. If mulch must be used next to the foundation, keep the layer less than two inches deep for a distance of 12 inches from the wall. The University of Florida Extension publication “The Facts about Termites and Mulch” states that mulch can contribute to the survival of established termites by keeping the soil moist and temperatures moderate. Keeping mulch and other debris away from the foundation will reduce moisture that can harbor insect pests that find their way indoors, as well as the dreaded termites that eat our homes from the inside out.
SESAME OIL INSECTICIDES AND PESTICIDES WINDOWS
Inside the home, make sure that any cracks at the foundation or where pipes or wiring enter the house from outside are caulked, and windows and doors do not have visible gaps where insects might enter. Sparks, Jr., University of Georgia, Leafcurl ash aphid Photo courtesy Albert (Bud) Mayfield, USDA Forest Service, Bed bug Photo courtesy Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Goldeneyed lacewing Photo courtesy Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Īlternatives to toxic pesticides, the first lines of defense are excluding pests from our homes and using proper cultural practices in the landscape. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, Scarabs or scarab beetles Photo courtesy Alton N. Chinch Bug Photo courtesy Charles Olsen,USDA APHIS PPQ, Tomato hornworm Photo courtesy William M. I wonder how many there are now? I, for one, don’t subscribe to the notion of “better living through chemistry.” There are other alternatives that are much safer in nearly every circumstance. The “What’s on My Food” website lists 44 different pesticide residues found by the United States Department of Agriculture Pesticide Data Program in water and groundwater in 2008. In Tampa Bay, stormwater rushing across our landscapes has become a primary source of toxic contaminants to our beautiful aquatic ecosystems.
Pesticide residues can build up and sometimes persist for many years in the environment. I don’t know about you, but I’m increasingly concerned about all of the chemicals used to control pests. However, it is unreasonable to expect a pest-free environment in Florida. There are many pesticides on the market that promise to help rid us of these pests if we will just use them. But our moderate winter weather and the hot, wet, humid summers conspire to support many insect, bacterial and fungal pests that can damage our landscapes and our homes. As residents of Florida, we enjoy wonderful weather almost year-round.
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