We're talking about organic pest control, which is all about using natural methods to keep those pests at bay, while still allowing your plants to thrive. So, let's get down to it and explore how you can create a healthy, pest-free garden without resorting to anything nasty. I'll explain the principles and provide practical, step-by-step advice on how to implement them.
Why Choose Organic Pest Control?
Before we delve into the techniques, let's quickly recap why organic pest control is such a good idea:
- Environmental Benefits: Avoids harmful chemicals that can pollute soil, water, and air.
- Healthier Food: No chemical residues on your vegetables, making them safer for you and your family to eat.
- Protecting Beneficial Insects: Harsh chemicals kill both pests and beneficial insects, disrupting the natural ecosystem of your garden. Organic methods target pests more specifically, leaving beneficial insects unharmed.
- Creating a Balanced Ecosystem: Organic pest control promotes a healthy, balanced ecosystem in your garden, where beneficial insects and other organisms help to keep pests in check naturally.
- Sustainable Gardening: It's an essential part of sustainable gardening practices, promoting long-term soil health and biodiversity.
The Principles of Organic Pest Control
Organic pest control isn't just about spraying something on your plants. It's a holistic approach that focuses on creating a healthy, resilient garden ecosystem.
Here are the key principles:
- Prevention is Key: The best defense against pests is a healthy, thriving garden. Focus on providing your plants with the optimal conditions for growth, including healthy soil, adequate sunlight, and proper watering.
- Identify the Pest: Before you take any action, identify the pest that's causing the problem. This will help you choose the most effective and targeted control method.
- Tolerate Some Damage: Don't panic if you see a few nibbled leaves. A healthy garden can tolerate a certain amount of pest damage.
- Use Natural Methods: Prioritize natural pest control methods, such as handpicking, attracting beneficial insects, and using organic pesticides.
- Inspect Often: Monitor your plants for damage, pests or diseases. Early detection is key to preventing infestations from getting out of control.
- Be Patient: Organic pest control is a long-term approach. It may take time to establish a balanced ecosystem in your garden, but the results are worth it.
Top Organic Pest Control Methods (With Step-by-Step Guides)
Right, let's get down to the practicalities. Here are some of the most effective organic pest control methods, along with step-by-step instructions on how to use them:
1. Handpicking:
- How-To:
1. Inspect Regularly: Regularly inspect your plants for pests, especially on the undersides of leaves.
2. Remove by Hand: Pick off any pests you find and drop them into a bucket of soapy water.
3. Repeat as Needed: Repeat this process regularly, especially during peak pest seasons.
2. Attracting Beneficial Insects:
- How-To:
1. Plant Insectary Plants: Plant flowers and herbs that attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps. Good choices include:
- Yarrow
- Fennel
- Dill
- Coriander
- Marigolds
- Nasturtiums
2. Provide Water Sources: Provide a shallow dish of water for beneficial insects to drink.
3. Avoid Broad-Spectrum Pesticides: Avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides, which can kill beneficial insects as well as pests.
3. Companion Planting:
- How-To:
1. Research Companion Plantings: Research which plants are known to repel specific pests.
2. Plant Companion Plants: Plant companion plants near your vegetables to deter pests. Some good examples include:
- Basil near tomatoes (repels tomato hornworms and whiteflies)
- Marigolds near beans (repels nematodes)
- Garlic near roses (repels aphids)
4. Using Barriers:
- How-To:
1. Use Row Covers: Cover your plants with row covers (lightweight fabric) to protect them from pests.
2. Install Collars: Place collars around the base of seedlings to protect them from cutworms.
3. Use Netting: Cover fruit trees and bushes with netting to protect them from birds and insects.
5. Diatomaceous Earth (DE):
- How-To:
1. Buy Food-Grade DE: Make sure you buy food-grade DE, which is safe for use in gardens.
2. Apply to Plants: Dust your plants with DE, focusing on areas where pests are present.
3. Reapply After Rain: Reapply DE after rain, as it loses its effectiveness when wet.
4. Caution: Avoid inhaling DE, as it can irritate the lungs.
6. Neem Oil:
- How-To:
1. Buy Neem Oil Concentrate: Buy neem oil concentrate from a garden centre.
2. Mix with Water: Mix the neem oil concentrate with water according to the instructions on the label.
3. Spray Plants: Spray your plants thoroughly with the neem oil solution, focusing on areas where pests are present.
4. Repeat as Needed: Repeat every 7-14 days, as needed.
7. Insecticidal Soap:
- How-To:
1. Buy Insecticidal Soap: Buy insecticidal soap from a garden centre.
2. Spray Plants: Spray your plants thoroughly with the insecticidal soap, focusing on areas where pests are present.
3. Repeat as Needed: Repeat every 7-14 days, as needed.
4. Caution: Test on a small area first, as insecticidal soap can damage some plants.
8. Garlic Spray:
- How-To:
1. Mince Garlic: Mince 2-3 cloves of garlic.
2. Steep in Water: Steep the garlic in 1 litre of water for 24 hours.
3. Strain and Spray: Strain the mixture and spray it on your plants.
9. Companion Planting: Sacrificial Plants
- How To:
1. Plant a plant that is more attractive to a particular pest than the vegetable you wish to protect.
2. Example: plant nasturtiums to attract aphids away from broccoli.
10. Encouraging Birds:
- How-To:
1. Provide Bird Feeders: Put up bird feeders to attract birds to your garden.
2. Provide Water Sources: Provide a bird bath or other water source for birds to drink and bathe.
3. Plant Berry-Bearing Shrubs: Plant berry-bearing shrubs to provide food for birds.
4. Avoid Pesticides: Avoid using pesticides, which can harm birds.
So, there you have it! A good rundown on organic pest control. It's all about creating a healthy, balanced garden ecosystem that's naturally resistant to pests. It may take a little more effort and attention than using harsh chemicals, but the rewards are well worth it - healthier food, a thriving garden, and a clear conscience. Get stuck in, experiment with different techniques, and enjoy the process of creating your own little organic paradise!
Questions after the interview:
At the end of an interview there is usually an opportunity where you can ask any questions you might have. This is a great opportunity to show the interviewer that you are interested in the position as well as the company. It is a good idea to prepare a few questions before the interview – this can be done while you are doing research on the company.
Your questions should show the interviewer that you are a good candidate for the position. Try and avoid questions that are based on your personal needs and preferences, for instance:
- How much leave will I get in a year?
- Will I be considered for promotion in my first year?
- When will I get an increase?
- What time can I leave in the afternoon?
These questions are inappropriate at this stage and will probably raise concerns on the side of the interviewer. Should you be the successful candidate then all these questions will be answered in your letter of appointment so don’t waste this opportunity by asking these basic questions.
If the position is an entry level job or very junior then you are welcome to ask questions in line with the position, for instance:
- Why did the previous person leave the position?
- What would the successful person be tasked to do in a typical day?
- How does this position fit into the department and / or company?
- Could you explain the company structure to me?
- Is there any further education assistance or support?
If the position is more senior then you can prepare question around the following themes:
- current issues that will face the successful candidate;
- inter-personal challenges in the department;
- any process, technology or people challenges that needs to be attended to urgently;
- key result areas that need urgent attention in the first few months;
The above information should get you started. Prepare a few questions so that you can show your worth. Good luck with your interview!
