A Closer Look at Organic Gardening Methods
| What | Baking soda | Neem oil | Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) | Purchased cache of ladybugs | Milky spore | Homemade beer traps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Why | To prevent fungal diseases. | Combined insecticide and fungicide. | Bacterial, biological control against leaf-eating grubs. | To release and kill aphids and other pests. | Bacterial control of Japanese beetle grubs. | To lure slugs. |
| Verdict | Safe, but provides limited control and is ineffective against rose black spot. | Effective on many pests, but not black spot. May be harmful to human health. | Safe and effective. | May fl y off, and are killed by insecticides. | Somewhat effective over large areas but not individual yards. | Safe, and the most effective non-chemical remedy. |
SOURCE: "The Truth About Organic Gardening," by Jeff Gillman
