Pest management for your home’s landscape once relied heavily on the use of harsh chemicals. Today, extensive use of toxic chemicals is unnecessary. Because of concerns for human health and environmental safety, scientists now recommend using Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a strategy that helps gardeners prevent and manage pest problems with fewer chemicals and certified organic options, when possible.

An organic lawn care program is usually expected to include integrated pest management (IPM) practices and recycling, and would emphasize a more naturalized and less manicured environment. IPM emphasizes smart planning, proper maintenance, and natural or low-toxicity controls in ensuring plants stay healthy and resist insect and disease infestation.

Regarding organic fertilizers, these products usually fall into two categories:  natural organics and synthetic organics. Purely natural organics are products such as manures, dried blood, bone meal or other animal products. These products generally contain between 3% and 10% nitrogen. Benefits from using these purely natural organics are that they become slowly available to plants over time due to breakdown by soil micro-organisms. However, they are sometimes very impractical to obtain, are more expensive and tend to have more offensive odors.

At Green Earth Pest Control, our environmentally friendly lawn care solutions are prepared with certified natural and synthetic organic products. These products are more readily available and typically are not offensive in scent or appearance.  These organic pesticides are produced in accordance with Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and its regulations. Certified organic fertilizers contain at least 30% of its nutrients from natural sources, with the other ingredients coming from man-made sources.

Green Earth Pest Control can create a plan for your lawn with more eco-conscious products such as organic fertilizers that are safer for children and pets. Our organic pesticides are made by using natural occurring chemicals and other organisms usually for their own defense, or are derived from a natural source such as a mineral or plant.

You can find at more from the University of Florida Extension Service. This page features information on composting, organic gardening and lawn care, landscaping for wildlife, and other topics:

More at UF/IFAS Extension