Special Article for Successful Gardener

Envior-Tip Danger of Home Remedies

Darrell Blackwelder

May 31, 2004

     Controlling garden pests has always been an essential part of gardening. After World War II, development of pesticides provided both home gardeners and commercial producers with viable methods of controlling pests.

     Environmental and health concerns have many gardeners resorting to homemade pest controls as an alternative to chemical pest controls.  Often, home gardeners confuse the use of household items and remedies as a safe and inexpensive method to control insect pests, diseases and repellants and fertilizers.  Homemade pesticides other concoctions made from household products such as mouthwash, ammonia, medicines, alcohol and detergents are often dangerous to both man and the environment.

     Use of homemade remedies for pest controls is untested based on little or no scientific evidence.  Most of the homemade potions are actually more dangerous than the pesticides. For example, chewing tobacco is often recommended for insect control. Tobacco contains nicotine, which is a lethal pesticide, which is more dangerous than pesticides you buy at the store. Homemade concoctions kill many insects both good and bad. Killing good insects is not healthy for the environment.

     Also home garden remedies are often mixed in bottles and cans usually used for food. This is a very dangerous and illegal practice especially with presence of small children. Accidental poisoning is a leading killer of small children.

     Pesticides go through years of testing before released to the general public.  Manufacturers spend millions of dollars closely monitor both hazards to both man and environment. Homemade remedies using soaps, cleaning supplies, medicines, etc. have no place in garden. These agents easily pollute.