Our Least Toxic Pest Management Approach
Do the least amount of harm to the environment. If pesticides have to be used we carefully select materials that have the lowest impact on non-target beneficial organisms, and where applicable, and persist in the environment for the shortest period of time. One benefit to this approach is a quick recovery of beneficial insect populations which are very important to a healthy ecosystem. It also reduces human exposure. A good disease and pest management plan has at its core preventive and cultural approaches to maintain plant health.
Avoid overwatering and spraying water onto tree trunks. This can create conditions that attract root rot pathogens. Do not over fertilize. Growth response from too much Nitrogen creates the condition that leaf feeding insect pests are attracted to.
Preventative
Environment management is critical. Creating a landscape that mimics a natural environment will extend the life of trees and shrubs. Using wood chip mulch from a tree service is a great example of a cultural condition with numerous benefits.
Cultural
There are several short lasting, yet effective least toxic pesticides available. One example is Pyrethrum. This pesticide is derived from Chrysanthemum flowers. It is combined with a synergist. It offers a quick kill and only lasts in the environment for a very short time period. It is a great option for canopy spray applications.
Another example is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt.) This pesticide is target specific and persist for a very short time. It does require repeated treatments to be the most effective. It is another good canopy spray option.
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Less Toxic Pesticide Selection
Equally important when applying pesticides is the method that is used. Canopy sprays can potentially introduce a lot of pesticide into the environment. When this method is used, the use of a short residual pesticide is mandatory.
Trunk drench and soil injected applications contain the material to target areas. Tree Solutions, Inc. uses this approach whenever possible. This way, when we do have to use long lasting pesticides, we can do minimal harm to the environment.