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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUse of other natural organic pesticides to control pests and weeds G.._Use of other "natural" "organic" biopesticides to control pests and weeds In the course of discussion with members of the IPM sub -committee and members of the public there were strong expressions of concern for the impact on human health and wildlife of spraying synthetic pesticide. In response to these concerns we are including in this IPM report some sample web sites that list the many alternative "non -toxic" pesticides and herbicides that could be explored for use in coming months. As with all chemicals, natural or otherwise, there are pros and cons to each one considered, so city parks and environmental staff have to refer to the licensing and testing agencies, both state and federal, as well as reliable web sites, for the basic information on effectiveness and potential impacts, both good and bad, with respect to human and ecological health. What follows are examples of brief lists of alternatives and a sample of web sites that provide useful information about these alternatives. The discussion starts with reference to the University of Florida IFAS service and their electronic publications library. OF IFAS EDIS Publication #ENY-350 Natural Products for Managing Landscape and Garden Pests in Florida' Matthew A. Borden, Eileen A. Buss, Sydney G. Park Brown, and Adam G. Dale Pest control professionals and homeowners throughout Florida and the southeastern US are seeking effective options that are safer for people and the environment than some conventional synthetic pesticides. There is also rising interest in organic gardening, which relies on natural pesticides. See the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) website (https://www.omri.org/omri-lists/download) for products that are acceptable in organic plant production. Natural or biological pesticides, also called biopesticides, can be used by themselves or in combination with conventional pesticide programs as valuable rotation options, thus delaying or preventing onset of resistance caused by repeated use of the same chemical controls. This publication describes natural products for use in residential landscapes and gardens. They are generally less toxic to non -target organisms and the environment and, when used correctly, can be effective tools for plant protection. These products are most effective when used in an integrated pest management (IPM) program along with sanitation, proper cultural practices, mechanical control tactics, use of resistant plant varieties, and biological control. There is a general lack of knowledge about natural or biological pesticides, including commercial availability and effective use. All pesticides, whether natural or synthetic, carry inherent risks and require safe and responsible use by the applicator. Ideally, natural insecticides and fungicides should reduce insect or disease problems, be specific to the pest(s), break down quickly, have low mammalian toxicity, and have minimal impact on the environment. General traits of natural products include the following: Fast breakdown. Most natural products degrade rapidly in sunlight, air, or moisture, or when exposed to insect detoxification enzymes if ingested. Rapid breakdown means these products do not persist long in the environment, which reduces risk to nontarget organisms. However, it also means precise timing and more frequent applications may be necessary. Fast action. Some natural products, such as soaps and oils, kill insects upon contact. Ingestion of others (e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis and spinosad) causes pests to quickly stop feeding, although death may not occur until hours or days later. Low toxicity. Most of the natural products discussed here have low to moderate acute mammalian toxicity. Although these products are relatively safe if used properly, they should be handled with the same level of caution used for any other pesticide. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when using these products, and utilize personal protection equipment when necessary. Gardeners should also be aware of potential disadvantages of natural products, which may include the following: Phytotoxicity. Vegetables and ornamental plants can be damaged by insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, plant oils, and sulfur, especially at higher rates or application frequency. The effects are likely more pronounced for stressed plants and in hot, sunny conditions. Carefully read the label instructions on how to avoid injuring the plants. Cost and availability. Natural products, especially OMRI-approved versions, are sometimes more expensive than conventional pesticides, and some are hard to obtain. In addition, due to different producers and the biological nature of these products, the potency of some natural products may vary from one source or batch to the next. State registration. Many pesticides registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be purchased online but are not registered for legal sale in certain states. If users are not sure whether a product is legal to use in Florida, they may direct questions regarding specific brand registration status to FDACS at 850-617-7940 or AESCares@FreshFromFlorida.com. Alternatively, search the National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (http://npirspublic.ceris.purduc.edu/state/state_menu.aspx?state=FL) for Florida products. Lack of EPA review. Many natural ingredients used to make pesticides are exempt from the rigorous review process usually required by the EPA. Data on pest control efficacy, long-term health effects, and tolerances for residues on food crops have not been established. Additional information on biopesticide development and efficacy trials is available for certain products at The IR-4 Project website (https://www.ir4project.org/about-biopesticide-organic-support-4). From: Summary of pesticide properties and primary uses. OF IFAS EDIS Publication #ENY-350 Mode of Primary Plant Pest(s) Product Type Action Targeted Aphids, mites, fire ants, Citrus oils (limonene, Botanical Contact poison flies, house crickets, and linalool) insecticide (nerve toxins) wasps Botanical Repellent, Numerous soft -bodied Neem oil (Azadirachta insecticide, contact insects and mites. indica) preventive smothering Powdery mildew. fungicide Neem extracts azadirachtin Botanical Repellent, Caterpillars, sawflies, flea Product (Azadirachta indica) Other plant oils (extracts of garlic, sesame, herbs, citronella, etc.) Horticultural oil (petroleum - based) Insecticidal soap (potassium salts of fatty acid) Pyreth ri n s/Pyreth ru m (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium) Hot pepper (extracts from Capsicum sp.) Mode of Primary Plant Pest(s) Type Action Targeted insecticide insect growth beetles, weevils, aphids, regulator, direct leafhoppers, etc. toxin Repellent, Insecticidal properties Botanical contact or and target pests insecticide stomach poison dependent on the extract Numerous soft -bodied Contact, insects and mites, Oil insecticide smothering including scales, aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs Numerous soft -bodied insects and mites, Cuticle and including soft scales, Soap insecticide membrane aphids, psyllids, disruption whiteflies, thrips, mealybugs Many garden insect Botanical Nerve toxin, pests, ants, roaches, insecticide contact activity fleas, flies, ticks Botanical repellent Repellent Many insects Diatomaceous earth (silica Mineral insecticide shells of diatoms) Kaolin clay (aluminum silicate) Mineral repellent Ants, fleas, bed bugs, Cuticle cockroaches, millipedes, disruption, sowbugs, and other dehydration small, soft -bodied insects Feeding Various foliage -dwelling deterrent, insects repellent Sulfur (by-product of Mineral insecticide, Contact poison Mites, psyllids, thrips; natural gas, petroleum miticide, fungicide powdery mildew, rust, Product Type Mode of Primary Plant Pest(s) Action Targeted refinement) leaf blight, fruit rots Slug and snail baits (iron Mineral Stomach poison Slugs and snails phosphate) molluscicide Many caterpillars (e.g., Bt-k (Bacillus thuringiensis Microbial Stomach poison fall webworm, loopers, var. kurstaki) insecticide bagworms, hornworms) Fly larvae (mosquitoes, Bt (other Bacillus Microbial Stomach poison fungus gnats), wax moth thuringiensis varieties) insecticide larvae, some beetles Spinosad Thrips, sawflies, Microbial Contact and (Saccharopolyspora caterpillars, flies, beetles, insecticide stomach poison spinosa) spider mites Stomach Multiple insects and Chromobacterium Microbial poison, mites, especially leaf - subtsugae insecticide repellent feeding beetles Foliar-feeding insects Microbial Fungus directly (e.g., aphids, thrips, Beauveria bassiana insecticide infects insects whiteflies, beetles, spider mites) Nematodes (Steinernema Directly infect Many lawn and soil- spp. and Heterorhabditis Microorganisms and kill insects dwelling grubs spp•) Damping -off seeding Bacillus subtilis, other Colonize plants Microbial diseases; wide variety of Bacillus spp., Streptomyces and outcompete fungicides garden and lawn sp., Trichoderma sp. pathogens diseases Mineral fungicide Protectant Many fungal and Copper compounds and bactericide barrier bacterial diseases Potassium bicarbonate, Protectant Mineral fungicide Powdery mildew sodium bicarbonate alkaline barrier For a second perspective the reader can visit the following site hosted by the law firm of Baum Hedlund 12019-06-05TI 1:07:48-07:OOApril 19th, 2016, IMonsanto Roundup News: Six Types of Alternative Herbicides to Roundup Most of the alternative herbicides used by farmers or gardeners fall into the following categories: Natural Acids (vinegar, and/or citric acids), Herbicidal Soaps, Iron -Based Herbicides. Salt -Based Herbicides, Phytotoxic Oils (Essential oils such as clove, peppermint, pine or citronella.), and Corn Gluten What You will Need for an Alternative Herbicide Acetic Acid — Commonly known as vinegar, acetic acid affects the cell membranes of a plant and causes rapid breakdown of foliage tissue on contact. Vinegar used for herbicidal purposes can be organic household vinegar, which is roughly five percent acetic acid or agricultural vinegar, which has an acetic acid concentration of roughly 20 percent. In sufficient quantities, agricultural vinegar by itself will quickly burn down a weed. There is much debate on the efficacy of household vinegar versus agricultural vinegar in alternative herbicides. Research has found that acetic acid concentrations between 5 and 10 percent can provide viable control of very small, young weeds that have one or two leaves (or are within two weeks of germination). Larger weeds with three or four leaves more are likely to survive this concentration. Using higher agricultural vinegar with higher concentration of acetic acid and increasing the application volume can improve weed control. Salt — Some choose to combine vinegar with salt to make their Roundup alternative more potent. Like vinegar, salt is a desiccant, so it dries out leaves and stems. Combining salt with vinegar will make your alternative to Roundup "extra strength." Oil or Soap — Oil will break down any coating or other natural barriers that many weeds produce to protect their leaves. By using oil or soap in your mixture, you give the vinegar and salt a greater chance to penetrate the weed. Additionally, oils and soaps break the tension water on weed surfaces, which keeps the mixture from running off. For a third perspective go to: American Chemical Society: ACS Symposium Series (ACS Publications) Managing and Analyzing Pesticide Use Data for Pest Management, Environmental Monitoring, Public Health, and Public Policy Volume 1283, Publication Date (Web): July 31, 2018, Copyright© 2020 American Chemical Society University of California Davis, Davis, California ISBN13: 9780841232907 For a fourth perspective, go to NaturePest Top 30 Natural Weed Killer Alternatives To Glyphosate and Roundup That Are OMRI Organic Certified June 16, 2019, Copywrite NaturePest 2019 All Rights Reserved, C NaturePest 2017. All rights reserved. https://naturepest. comlarticles/top-3 0-natural-weed-killer-alternatives-glyphosate-roundup- OMRI-organic-certified/ Description: Growing concerns about the allegations that Glyphosate causes non -Hodgkin's lymphoma causing many to look for a natural weed killer. Published Date: 06/17/2019 Author Name: Franklin Hernandez Publisher Name: Nature Pest There is a growing public demand for safer green natural pesticides which have resulted in many new and exciting natural 25b, OMRI certified and organic products becoming available for controlling weeds. The only pre -emergent herbicide with EPA exemption status is corn gluten meal which must be applied in early spring before weed seeds emerge since most annual weed seeds germinate when soil Temperatures reach 53F — 55F With the emergence of green herbicides comes the learning curve of what, where, how and which species they are effective on since these natural products have not been evaluated like synthetic herbicides by laboratory or independent testing organizations on multiple broad leaf, grasses, sedges and trees. Because of the of the growing concern of the use of synthetic herbicide which include glyphosate and 2,4,D people are demanding alternatives to protect air, soil and water from pollution so that universities, environmental awareness groups and public agencies are making a big effort to reduce the use of synthetic herbicides which have a greater potential to contaminate surface waters. Retailers and big box hardware stores are beginning to dedicate shelf space to least toxic pesticides as alternatives; most of these new natural herbicides contain essential oils or other natural plant extracts to target weeds. Alternative herbicides to glyphosate fall into seven categories: Natural acids (vinegar + citric acids), Herbicidal soaps, Iron -based herbicides, Salt -based herbicides, Natural phytotoxic oils (clove oil, Peppermint oil, pine oil, citronella oil), and corn gluten meal. The majority of the green weed -control products that are botanically based are derived from clove oil, eugenol, and d-limonene, soaps, salts of fatty acids, and Soybean oil. They work by destroying the leaf cuticle or causing cell leakage that rapidly leads to death. Because these herbicides kill only green parts of the plant on contact they don't translocate to the roots like synthetics so they don't provide control of weeds with extensive root systems or underground storage structures such as rhizomes, tubers, or bulbs. So it is important to spray the growing points, or else the plant will regrow. Grasses and perennial weeds are very difficult to control for a long period of time as some or all of their growing points are below ground. For a fifth reference: https://weedkillerguide.com/: Top 3 DIY Weed Killer Recipes: Pros and Cons As the name suggests, a homemade weed killer is a solution that you can prepare at the comforts of your own home using certain ingredients. Fortunately, it is not that hard to do considering the many DIY weed killer recipes that are now introduced on various sources, like in the internet. The majority of these recipes actually make use of certain ingredients that you can find at home, including salt, vinegar, and soap. So what are the most commonly used weed killers that you can make at home? What are their pros and cons? Here they are: Vinegar, salt, and citrus oil (Doctor Kirchner). For a sixth and final perspective: Organic & Synthetic Herbicides for Athletic Fields http://pmep.cce. comell. edu/profiles/extoxnet/pyrethrins-ziram/sodium-chlorate-ext.html Sodium chlorate is 30-50 times more toxic to plants than sodium chloride, Sodium chlorate is considered phytotoxic to all green plant parts and is a non -selective herbicide. It can also kill through root absorption. Sodium chlorate can be used to control morning glory, Canada thistle, Johnson grass and St. Johnswort. It is primarily used on non -crop land for spot treatment and for total weed control on roadsides, fenceways, ditches and used as a defoliant and desiccant of cotton, safflower, corn, flax, peppers, soybeans, grain sorghum, southern peas, dry beans, rice and sunflowers Plants absorb sodium chlorate through both roots and leaves; the herbicide is carried downward through the xylem since it kills the phloem tissue. https:Hu.osu.edu/athleticfieldmanagement/2017/10/11/organic-synthetic-herbicides-for- athletic-fields/