Pesticides

Pesticides kill useful organisms in topsoil, hindering nitrogen fixation.

• First recorded use of insecticides was about 4500 years ago, w/Sumerians using sulphur compounds to control insects and mites.

• 1,300 yrs. later, Chinese used forms of mercury and arsenic to control body lice.

• Bitter Lupin or wild cucumber act as insecticides.• Dried chrysanthemums or Pyrethrum daisies have been used as an

insecticide for over 2000 yrs by Persians and Crusaders.Daisies: protects stored grains & controls head lice.

History

Need

• Since 1950, Industrialization has supported a 50,000 percent increase in the amount of pesticides. x500 increase.

• Studies show that over 95% of sprayed pesticides reach destinations other than targeted species.

• Nearly every river in the U.S. has reported contaminates, as well as 90% of groundwater wells.

• 2.5 million tons of pesticides are used annually. • 75% is used in developing countries, where restrictions are less

stringent and increasing severely.

• Imported food regulations less stringent in places like Mexico & Pakistan.

• Traces of Pesticides found in 46% of Organic Fruits-Veggies in Canada.

• Most contaminated: Grapes 77% and other fruits/veggies: Apples, Peppers, Celery, Cherries, Grapes, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Potatoes. Grocerynews.org. Web 9 2015.

GLOBALLY

RANGE

• EPA’s class III herbicide, (weed killer) Glyphosate.

• Most often applied as a spray of the isopropyl amine salt and is removed from the atmosphere by gravitational settling.

• Effects of acute overexposure include dizziness, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting (targets liver and thyroid).

• Other symptoms occur less frequently include itching, rash, chills, and headache. EPA.gov. Web 9 2015.

▪ Familiarize yourself with the predators in your area▪ Ask yourself, what’s the cause for concern: fungus, mold, bacterial,

birds, mammals, or insects?▪ Utilize local organic plant and mineral alternatives.

▪ Rye & wheat mulches, diatomaceous earth, acids, bases, or salts. ▪ Cultivation tactics – apply row covers, grow seasonally, & rotate crops. ▪ Biodiversity – plant several types of crops & utilize trapping. ▪ Biodynamic farming – compost closes the loop w/local biological

nutrients.▪ Vertical farming – new urbanism – eco-effective solutions

Solutions

❖ Nearly 80% of bugs in a garden are good ones.

❖ Some Common pest predators are...

Parasitic wasp trumps aphid. Predator miteLadybugs eat aphids.

Predators

Aphids (plant lice): Plant chives, marigolds, mint, basil, or cilantro or place aluminum foil at the base of your plants. The foil reflects light onto the undersides of the leaves, which scares away aphids.

Ants: pour a line of cream of tartar where they enter the house, and they will not cross over it. A cinnamon stick, coffee grinds, chili pepper, paprika, cloves, or dried peppermint leaves near the doorways will repel ants. You can also squeeze lemon juice at the entry spot and leave the peel there. Planting mint around the foundation of the house also helps keep ants away. Place cloves of garlic around indoor and outdoor ant pathways.

Cockroaches: Create sachets of catnip and place them throughout the infested area (your cat will love you!). Cockroaches like high places, so put a few sachets on top of shelves and other elevated surfaces. Bay leaves, cucumbers, and garlic can also help to keep cockroaches away.

Mites: (spider and clover): Try planting alder, coriander, or dill, and use rye and wheat mulch.

Slugs: Place mint, lemon balm, human hair (remove excess hair from hairbrushes and place in gardens), pine needles, cosmos, sage, or parsley in your garden.

Natural and Harmless Alternatives to Garden Pesticides. Peta.org. Web. 9 May 2015.

Eco-Effective

•Bay leaves: Repel flies. When you grow this plant, you won’t have to rely on the dried leaves from stores to add flavor to roasts and soups. Just pick the leaves as you need them.•Basil: Repels house flies & mosquitos. Plant by house doors or in places outdoors where you relax.•Lavender: Repels moths, fleas, flies and mosquitos.•Chives: Repel carrot flies, Japanese beetle and aphids.•Dill: Repels aphids, squash bugs, spider mites, cabbage loopers and tomato hornworms.•Fennel: Repels aphids, slugs and snails.•Lemon grass: Repels mosquitoes.•Oregano: Repels many pests.•Parsley: Repels asparagus beetles.•Thyme: Repels whiteflies, cabbage loopers, cabbage maggots, corn earworms, whiteflies, tomato hornworms and small whites.

Herbal Remedies

Natural Alternatives

Row Covers

• Cultivation tactics – Rotate and plant crops (according to season) – where pest don’t live.

Biodiversity

❖ Utilize mulch to control weeds and compost to enrich soil.❖ Eco-effectiveness in action.

Biodynamic Farming

Utilizes local biological materials – closes the loop – waste equal food.

Vertical Farming

Works Cited

Chappell, Matthew, Gary Knox, and Robert H. Stamps. “Alternatives to Synthetic Herbicides for Weed Management in Container Nurseries.” Extension.UGA.edu. 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 16 May 2015.

Chauhan, Mudit. "Pesticides: Harmful Effects and Alternatives.” GreenOverdose. 18 Aug. 2014. Web. 17 May 2015.

Seraphim. "Pesticide Residue On Food Becoming Problematic OrganicContamination." Grocerynews.org. 12 Apr. 2014. Web. 9 May 2015.

"Synthetic Pesticides." Organic Valley. Web. 11 May 2015."Technical Factsheet On: GLYPHOSATE." Environmental Protection Agency

EPA. Web. 14 May 2015."Natural and Harmless Alternatives to Garden Pesticides." PETA Garden Pesticides

Comments. 2011. Web. 9 May 2015.Unsworth, John. "History of Pesticide Use." Agrochemicals.IUPAC.org. 10 May 2010.

Web. 11 May 2015.Oder, Tom. "12 Plants That Repel Unwanted Insects." Mother Nature Network. 2 Oct. 2014. Web. 20 May

2015.

Natural Pesticide alternatives

The effects of Pesticides on the Environment