How do I protect beneficial insects from pesticides?

It takes careful planning and other methods to protect beneficial insects from pesticides. I figured this out after accidentally exterminating lacewings with a broad-spectrum pesticide. Lacewings are beneficial insects whose nervous systems can be disrupted by chemicals that affect beneficial insects. It is beneficial for your garden to employ selective methods of pest control, allowing you to preserve salt-tolerant worm species.

Physical barriers allow for chemical-free protection. I use floating row covers made from polyester material to cover brassicas, preventing pests from accessing them. Copper tape around my containers can deter slugs naturally. It is much better to physically block pests than to use sprays that are toxic to all insects. In this way, you can also protect your beneficial insects.

Biological alternatives protect against damage while controlling pests. I deploy beneficial nematodes to manage soil-dwelling grubs, which do not impact above-ground helpers and target specific pests. The garden's natural balance is maintained when you choose solutions that work in harmony with nature, rather than against it.

Monitoring regularly helps prevent unnecessary treatment of plants. I check plants every day during pest season. It is action thresholds that determine when to apply treatments to the plants. When you trap only severe infestations from a monitoring plan, the amount of pesticides used is reduced compared to the action threshold level. Think of it this way: preventative sprays kill beneficial populations, and you'll have to deal with treating a larger amount of pest populations.

Read the full article: Beneficial Insects Garden Natural Pest Control