Article - Getting Rid of Unwanted Garden Insects authored by Cathi Stevenson

Republished by National Realtors Directory Not part of or affiliated with the National Association Of Realtors. According to the NAR only real estate brokers and agents that are members of the NAR are allowed to use the title Realtor. The following article Getting Rid of Unwanted Garden Insects was authored by Cathi Stevenson and is republished in this directory with the author's permission. These articles are published as an information source for real property owners, buyers, sellers, investors and brokers. Getting Rid of Unwanted Garden Insects By: Cathi Stevenson Chemical-free insect control for the garden Perhaps one of the most devastating plights a gardener can face is pest infestation. Months, even years of hard work can be destroyed in only a few days if your garden becomes a target for destructive insects. While many people (almost 50 per cent) will opt to use chemicals to combat the problem, it’s usually not necessary. Most gardeners should be aware that Insects rarely attack healthy plants. Simply ensuring that plants are in good condition and promptly cutting decaying one will make your garden less attractive to hungry bugs looking for a free lunch. If a plant does become infested, discard it immediately in an enclosed garbage bin, away from healthy vegetation. Don’t assume you have a problem when you don’t. Ninety per cent of garden insects are beneficial, and can be used to help protect plants. The common LadyBug for instance, feeds on plant-eating aphids, mites, scales, whiteflies and fruitworms. Green Lacewings will eat aphids, whiteflies, leafminers and mites. Encouraging good insects also promotes pollination between plants. Experienced gardeners grow plants specifically to attract particular insects. Lacewings love sunflowers, for example, and a border of dill will look like a feast to several aphid predators. There are a variety of books and Internet sites that can assist in identifying garden insects so you can distinguish between those you want and those don’t. Slugs can be particularly nasty. To catch these slimy terrestrial mollusks before they dine on foliage, fill a container with beer and bury it up to the rim. Local slugs will drop in for a drink and drown. Copper reportedly gives slugs and snails an unpleasant electrical charge. It doesn’t kill them, but it does deter them. Try placing some copper strips, or copper tape around the garden. While the job may seem overwhelming at first, organic gardening can be both rewarding and educational. With increasing public pressure to preserve the environment, it may also be necessary. Just keep in mind that Mother Nature has been doing this for millions of years. Let her be your guide. About the Author Cathi Stevenson is a former editor and journalist who has sold more than 2000 articles world-wide. Her eBook "How To Publish & Market Your eBook For Just $5" made the publisher's best sellers' list within months of its release. Learn how she did it with tips from the Author's Cafe Newsletter. Sign up at: http://www.authorscafe.com. Cathi also owns the highly successful book cover design company: Book Cover Express. http://www.bookcoverexpress.com This article was posted on April 3, 2003 For more information and articles on gardening see Gardening Articles From National Realtors Directory or for other real property information and articles see National Realtors Directory. Attention real property owners, buyers, sellers and investors: If you have written a gardening article that you feel would be beneficial to others and would like us to publish or republish it, please see Gardening Articles Wanted. This link is for non real estate professionals only. Realtors, real estate brokers, agents and sales people, please go to the submit articles link below. This link is for real estate professionals only. The opinions, statements and information contained and expressed in the foregoing article are solely those of the author. No position for or against, agreeing with or disagreeing with anything contained in said article is taken by National Realtors Directory.com We do not assume or accept any liability for the use of the information contained herein. This article is published solely as a service to real property owners, buyers, sellers, investors and real estate brokers, agents and sales people. Anyone who does not accept this disclaimer is not authorised to read or use this article in any way. submit your site   submit articles   submit news or press reports   submit testimonials    realtor directory home   report bad links   contact us    Page Set Up © Copyright 2004 National Realtors Directory, a national directory of realtors, real estate agents, brokers and sales people. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.