Integrated Pest Management

• The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach is practiced by many state agencies that care for public landscapes. IPM recommends the use of the "least toxic alternative" as the first approach to insect pest problems. Least toxic insecticides include insecticidal petroleum or plant-based horticultural sprays, soaps and the microbial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis. Home gardeners choose the least toxic pesticide approaches that include homemade bug sprays, companion planting and beneficial insects. Ladybugs, lacewings, hover flies and parasitic wasps are beneficial insects that help control unwanted insect pests such as aphids, mealybugs, thrips and whiteflies.
  
  

Exposure to Chemical Bug Sprays

• Toxic chemical bug sprays are designed to kill a target insect pest, but may also kill beneficial bugs. Plants are also damaged by incorrectly applied chemical bug sprays. Household utensils used to mix bug sprays should be isolated from normal use. Eye protection, rubber gloves, long-sleeved shirt, long pants and closed-toed shoes should be worn to prevent exposure to damaging chemicals. Bug sprays may leave toxic residue on plants that cause burn, leaf curl or necrosis.
  
  

Horticultural Oil Sprays

• Diluted petroleum or plant-based horticultural sprays are alternatives to toxic chemical bug sprays. Mineral oil, vegetable oil and extract from neem-tree seeds are used to control bugs without harming plant tissue. Horticultural bug sprays kill mites, scale insects and aphids. Neem seed contains azadirachtin, a natural insecticidal chemical compound. Horticultural oils are also effective against powdery mildew and rust.
  
  

Alternative Bug-Control Sprays

• Home gardeners often choose the least toxic bug sprays such as dishwashing soap, garlic spray or red-pepper spray to control bugs without harming plants. The capsaicin in red peppers is strongly repellent to bug and insects. Diluted dishwashing soap smothers bugs or removes their protective outer waxy coating. Soap sprays must be reapplied until the bug infestation is over. Garlic or onion-infused spray mixtures are used in a hand sprayer or nozzle sprayer for garden bug control.