Wednesday, August 31, 2016

For The Best Organic Pest Control Cedar Rapids Iowa Should Be Prioritized

By Carolyn Robinson


Organic pest control methods are emerging as useful methods of controlling various pests without doing harm to the environment. There are several options that one can choose from in accordance to their needs. As such, when in need of the best organic pest control Cedar rapids Iowa is the best place to check out. There are many experts in pest control in this region that one can consult and achieve good results.

One of the methods that can be used to control pests organically is the installation of floating row covers. Floating row covers are porous, polyester fabrics that provide excellent barriers against insects. As they block the entrance of insects, they allow up to eighty percent of available sunlight to pass through. There are both lightweight and heavyweight options. One can choose according to their requirements.

When the use of floating row covers is in summer, the lightweight versions should be chosen. Lightweight covers do not choke plants in hot weather and they do an effective job at keeping pests out. The heavyweight varieties are better at trapping heat, which makes them useful in cool weather. Heavyweight varieties may also be used to extend seasons. These products are sold per feet and can be found in local stores and shopping malls.

The installation of these covers should make use of supporting frames so that they are maintained in place over the crops. Placing the covers directly over the plants like a blanket would is allowed in some cases. Either way, the sides of the portion covered must also be sealed off to prevent entrance of pests. Some of the materials that can be used for sealing the sides include soil, rocks, bricks, and boards.

The covers help to pass crops through a critical stage. For example, they come in handy to protect crops that are still in the seedbed. They also help to protect crops when a major pests is most active. The crops can be covered using row covers for the rest of their life span if there is need. However, this would not work for insect-pollinated plants because they need to be exposed to insects so that they can be pollinated and develop fruits.

A wide range of pests can be controlled using this method. Some major examples include cabbage moths, Colorado potato beetles, Mexican bean beetles, most aphids, flea beetles, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs. These covers should be used in combination with crop rotation if the pest being targeted overwinters in the soil.

Pheromone traps are another organic option that one can use to successfully control a large number of pests, including diamondback moths, cabbage loopers, European corn borers, corn earworms, cutworms, and tomato pinworms. Pheromone traps work by attracting male pests to them. Since they only attract male pests, they may not be very effective in some cases. Once the pests get to the trap, they are caught and can be disposed later.

Sticky traps attract insects because they are made rigid and brightly colored. It is the bright color that attracts insects to them. The trap must be kept clean and very sticky for it to be effective. Also, one needs to install multiple traps for better results.




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