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The idea that plant pests could be kept at acceptable levels without large amounts of chemical pesticides ran counter to everything they had been taught. Disregarding environmental concerns, there were a number of other factors that called into question the wisdom of such uninhibited use of chemicals. First, when using an insecticide to control a pest, its natural predators are often killed off as well. This can have the unintended effect of actually causing an upswing in the pest population. Second, many insects can very quickly develop populations resistant to a given chemical. And third, when one pest is eliminated the door is opened to others that were less apparent before their competition was killed off. At first the solution to these problems seemed to be to just use more, or different, chemicals, but eventually it became obvious this was no more than a good way to line the pockets of chemical manufacturers. There are many safe, organic and cost effective ways to rid your garden of destructive pests. The first step is to determine what is causing the problem in your garden. Many harmful insects are plant specific. You'll have greater success, if you apply the organic solution that matches the problem. The best way to maintain a healthy population of predators is to avoid using insecticides, and when you do use them, make sure you are only applying them to the areas at risk. There are a myriad of natural controls at work in your garden. Lady beetles, mantises and spiders are all there eating insects. Parasitic wasps lay their eggs in the larvae of other insects where they hatch and devour them from within. And as mentioned earlier, healthy plants themselves produce a variety of means for controlling pests. But there are times when your only choice will be between using chemical pesticides or losing your plants. Maybe a particularly wet summer has brought on a fungus that is killing one of your favorite shrubs, or out of nowhere an insect has appeared that is quickly defoliating a small tree. The problem now is to determine what is the proper pesticide to use. For many, this involves going to the local nursery or garden center and asking someone there for help. Before you use any pesticide, read the label carefully. If it must be delivered through a spray, never apply it on a day with even a moderate amount of wind. With the spray drifting about, your clothing will act as a wick to soak up the airborne solution. Having the proper ratio of pesticide is important. For more useful ideas and assistance needed, check our service in this page: auckland pest control
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