Wildlife-friendly ways to control pests

There are many ways to control pests without using insecticide sprays. The tables below suggest some wildlife-friendly alternatives, and also some sprays that are less damaging to wildlife than others.

Biological controls
Agent/product
Against
Notes
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bactospeine) caterpillars Supplied in sachets and applied as a spray
Encarsia formosa greenhouse whitefly Ineffective against severe infestations: use yellow sticky traps to detect early
Phytoseiulus red spider mite Tiny parasitic wasps, supplied ready to hatch
Nematodes small slugs Watered on and nematodes then kill slugs underground

Physical barriers and traps
Crop protection nets carrot fly, flea beetle, etc. Lay over crops and peg or weight down edges
Yellow sticky traps aphids, greenhouse whitefly Help to detect and limit early infestations
Pheromone (sex attractant) traps codling, plum and pea moths Hung among trees to attract and trap male moths
Fruit tree bands/grease winter moth Prevent females from climbing trees to lay eggs

Less damaging sprays
Naturen aphids, whitefly, red spider mite Harms fish
Derris aphids, small caterpillars Harms ladybirds and fish
Pyrethrum aphids, caterpillars Can harm bees
Savona (soft soap) aphids, small caterpillars Safe to use before biological controls

Suppliers
The Organic Gardening Catalogue
www.organiccatalog.com
01932 253666

Scarletts PlantCare
www.ladybirdplantcare.co.uk
0845 0945 499

 Defenders
www.defenders.co.uk
(01233 813121)