Insect Control

Few things are more frustrating than harmful insects that won't leave your garden alone or, worse, find their way into your walls. Fortunately, there are a number of options available to help you control pest populations and virtually eliminate them from your lawn, garden and home. Taking steps to prevent and curtail infestation will reduce the need to use chemicals to get rid of pests, but despite your best efforts they sometimes manage to propagate in large numbers. When this happens, you need to know what forms of pesticides are available and in what situations each is most effective. Consider the questions below as you shop for pesticides to hone in on the most effective solution for the problem at hand:

• Are the bugs inside or outside your home?
• What situations are contact insecticides appropriate for?
• What situations are systemic insecticides appropriate for?
• What different forms of pesticide are available?
• How can you help minimize the chances of a pest problem before it starts?
  
  

Types, Form and Prevention

The first and most important step in controlling pests is to identify exactly what the pest is. If you see holes in the leaves of some of your garden plants, they may have been caused by a number of different insects. You'll need to know which type you're trying to eliminate in order to decide on the most effective course of action. If you act on the wrong assumption or simply use the most powerful pesticide you can find to solve the problem, you may end up killing helpful insects or making pets and children sick. Worst of all, you may not get rid of the offending pest. Consider the pest-control options available to make sure you remove the right bugs.

Contact Insecticides: These chemicals are used to kill insects by direct application. They generally come in spray, granular or powder form to make application easy. While contact insecticides are at their most potent upon initial contact, a residual effect will linger in areas where the chemicals are applied, eliminating or at least weakening insects (and deterring them from returning) that might come into contact after the initial application. When applying to plants, make sure to cover the entire area, particularly the undersides of leaves where insects like to hide and feed. Apply powdery chemicals only when there's little wind to prevent pesticide from spreading to other areas. Read labels thoroughly to ensure proper application and to minimize the chances of killing helpful insects such as bees and ladybugs.

• Contact insecticides are usually absorbed through insects' exoskeletons
• Reapply chemicals after heavy rains to renew effectiveness if needed
• Use bait traps inside the house to minimize exposure to chemicals
• Apply chemicals when insects feed, usually in the early morning or evening
• Applying dust to wet leaves will help it stick better
  
  

Systemic Insecticides: Systemic insecticides are used outdoors and minimize the risk of chemicals spreading to areas you don't want them affecting. Rather than killing pests on contact, systemic chemicals are absorbed directly into plants through the roots and eliminate insects as they feed on the plants. This method makes them particularly effective when it comes to taking care of pests who like to hide in areas that are tough to spray, such as the underside of leaves. Even if the systemic chemicals don't kill insects, they may deter them from returning to feed on the same plant again.

• Systemic insecticides last longer than contact chemicals
• Less likely to wash off during rainstorms
• Do not use on vegetables or other edible plants as they may cause illness
• Particularly effective against bugs with piercing mouths, such as aphids and whiteflies
• Apply to plants that have extensive and established root systems for maximum effect
  
  

Forms: Insecticides are available in a wide range of forms. Use the chart below to compare and contrast some of the more common types.

Form	Benefits and Uses	Points to Consider
Aerosols	Used for small areas indoors or out Easy to store	Have a long shelf life Relatively more expensive than other forms
Baits and Traps	Ideal for cabinets, pantries and under sinks	May be poison free Use in conjunction with sprays and powders for best protection
Foggers	Used inside the home Penetrate cracks and crevices where pests nest	Usually require you to vacate premises during use
Granules	Easy to apply Ideal for large areas Kill soil-dwelling insects	Require a spreader to ensure uniform distribution
Liquid Concentrates	Offer quick results Ideal for large areas	Require mixing and measuring Require a sprayer
Powders	Ideal for indoor use under sinks, dishwashers and stoves	Waterproof Provide long-lasting protection
Ready-to-Spray Concentrates	Offer quick results Ideal for large areas	Premixed Feature an attached hose-end sprayer for convenience
Ready-to-Use Sprays	Best for smaller areas Offer quick results	Premixed Feature an attached hose-end sprayer for convenience

Prevention: In addition to using chemical pesticides to eliminate insect problems, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent infestation, and using nonchemical solutions may prove effectual. Clean up leaves, weeds and dead plants that can shelter insects and choose plant species that are bug-resistant. Install window and door screens around your house and check them to ensure they remain intact. Use a mixture of dish soap and water to create a spray that can eliminate insects by smothering them, or turn the power of your garden hose on plants to chase pests away. Introduce friendly insects, such as ladybugs, praying mantises and ground beetles that feed on harmful bugs.

• Caulk and seal openings around your home where bugs may be able to gain entry
• Treat foundations around your house to deter entry
• Store flour and dried foods in air-tight containers to stop bugs from getting in
• Nontoxic methods help prevent pests from building up an immunity to insecticides
• Repair rotted wood to help deter infestation by termites and other bugs
  
  

Features

Organic Pesticides: These chemicals will get rid of pesky pests without harming humans and animals. Some, such as BT, actually focus in on harmful insects, such as caterpillars, without killing beneficial bugs, such as bees.

Milky Spore: If you have frequent problems with Japanese beetles, use this powder to deter them from eating their way through your leaves.

Candles: When you want to spend time relaxing on your back porch on a beautiful summer evening, light up a citronella candle to discourage pests from bothering you and spoiling your night.