Fertilizers and insecticides come in many forms.
Insecticides and fertilizers come in an assortment of choices, from organic to synthetic and even combinations of both. Whether you're looking for a natural solution to rid your yard of pests or a chemical solution to help your plants grow, there is a product that's right for you. Does this Spark an idea?
Types of Insecticides
The Japanese beetle is a pest.
There are three types of insecticides on the market. Synthetic pesticides are formed from chemicals created in a laboratory, such as carbamates and organochlorines. Organic pesticides are created from organisms that are alive, such as nicotine and neem oil, while inorganic pesticides are created from minerals, such as boric acid and diatomaceous (soft, sedimentary rock) earth.
Insecticides that Work Best
Diatomaceous earth is one of the strongest insecticides that doesn't harm animals, plants or children. It is made by grinding up fossilized water plants. Its razor-sharp, yet microscopic edges cut up insects when they walk through the dust. Because it is safe for pets and humans, you can use it inside and outside. Be careful not to sprinkle it on flowers, as it will not discriminate between bees and beetles.
Types of Fertilizers
Fertilizer helps your garden grow.
Fertilizers come in two varieties, organic and inorganic. Organic fertilizers include cow and horse manure, peat moss and compost. These are generally seen as being safer than inorganic fertilizers, because they do not drain into ground water or burn plants, as some organics do if they are applied too heavily.
Inorganic fertilizers are chemicals, added to your yard, that are naturally occurring in healthy soil. Some of these chemicals are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
Fertilizers that Work Best
Nitrogen and phosphorus tend to work best as fertilizers, especially in liquid form. Using them as a liquid helps you to evenly distribute the chemicals, so your lawn will not burn in spots. Also, liquids tend to affect the grass and plants faster than pellets.
An organic solution would be to use peat moss. According to the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association, peat moss aerates plants roots when mixed with soil, holds moisture and reduces the loss of nutrients from the soil by releasing the nutrients over time.
Combination Treatments
Combinations kill pests and help flowers grow.
Fertilizer and Insecticide combinations are for gardeners who want to kill the pests in their yard and make their grass greener at the same time. However, there are some dangers in combing fertilizers with insecticides.
In 1999, a study done at the University of Wisconsin-Madison involving the Departments of Zoology and Endocrinology suggested that pesticide and fertilizer combinations were linked to a variety of health problems. Neurological, endocrine and immune deficiencies were among the problems listed. Data from the experiment indicates that chemicals, normally harmless separately, formed toxic substances when combined and made their way into the ground water.
Combinations that Work Best
If you decide to use a combination fertilizer and insecticide, select a natural option, such as combining peat moss with diatomaceous earth, or neem oil with manure. If you use chemicals, a good choice is a mixture of carbamates, made from a type of amino acid known as carbamic acid, and nitrogen.
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