Take the Pollinator Pledge and Go Pesticide Free!
Early spring is the time of year to begin thinking about pest control in your yards and also the time when our lawn and tree care companies contact us to renew our contracts.
This, GCA’s Year of the Pollinator, is the year to go pesticide free! Especially ban those systemic pesticides like neonicotinoids that are injected into the soils and tree trunks and are taken up through the plants’ roots. The benefits will extend to all the beneficial insects and pollinators and start your yard on a road to ecological balance. You will be encouraging a healthy landscape from the beneficial microorganisms in the soil to the birds and pollinators who feed on the pests and pollen and sip nectar from the flowers.
Did you know that routinely spraying your trees for aphids might be unnecessary? A balanced ecology in your garden will support the ladybugs that will take care of the aphids for you.
When you see an unwanted bug, look for a biological control like milky spore (a fungus that attacks the Japanese beetle larvae). Some bugs require immediate attention to avert an infestation, but do be tolerant of a bug or two and let the natural predator have time to make it to your garden. And, plant more native plants to attract them faster!
Instead of Roundup (glyphosate), try vinegar or boiling water. Instead of soaking your lawn with chemicals, try corn gluten as a pre-emergent weed killer. And please leave a few beautiful dandelions to bloom for the bees!
Remember, you have the power in your own yard to create a healthy landscape for the critters, which in turn makes for a healthier landscape for you, your family and your community!
Happy Spring Gardening!
Deborah Madison’s delicious Recipe for Dandelion Greens Salad
Take the Pollinator Pledge (then click the link under “Take Action”)
Take the Great Healthy Yard Project Pledge
You will find many more alternatives to chemical pesticides on websites such as Earth Easy
Article on natural predators for the Japanese Beetle