Whenever I deliver education programs to adult audiences, I talk about the negative impact that all the pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides have on the natural environment. Two of our education birds are results of such impact: a red tailed hawk with neuropathy in his feet, and a great horned owl with a collapsed iris from having been fed a poisoned (warfarin) rat in the nest. (The same rat killed both adults and the other owlet.)

• Neem oil, which comes from the seeds of the neem tree (from India) is a broad-spectrum bio-inhibitor which both repels pests, and interferes with their feeding, growth, and reproductive cycles. It also controls black spot, rust, powdery mildew fungi—a lot of bang for the buck!
• Insecticidal soaps, straight up, or blended with other organics can help control aphids, whitefly and mites. Organic pesticides often contain blends, which can include pyrethrum, canola oil, rotenone, garlic, hot pepper and eucalyptus oil. An insecticide and fungicide called Organocide contains sesame and fish oils and is said to be very effective.
• Caterpillar-specific pesticides containing Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) are highly effective; one brand is Thuricide. However, while it quickly destroys foliage-eating caterpillars and is completely safe to use, remember that it will also destroy butterfly larvae, so apply carefully and selectively.
• Serenade Disease Control contains bacillus subtilis, a microorganism related to BT, and is a highly effective broad based fungicide. It is available ready to use and in concentrate. Weed Zap is a non-selective organic herbicide containing cinnamon and clove oils. Burn Out II contains oil, vinegar and citric acid.