I'm planning to move more of my beloved plants outside for spring and summer, but I'm really concerned about keeping them safe from pests. One option I'm considering is using systemic insecticides. However, I'm torn because I've heard they can have negative effects on pollinators and might not even protect against spider mites, which worries me. I've been wondering if anyone else shares this dilemma or has thoughts on the ethics of using these treatments outside?
3 Answers
My experience has been pretty smooth without resorting to pesticides. I’ve kept plants outside through various seasons and have rarely dealt with pests. If you keep them healthy with the right sunlight and care, they tend to resist most of the common issues. Don’t stress too much about them getting a bit of pest activity!
Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend using systemic insecticides on your outdoor plants. They can negatively impact local wildlife, especially bees and other beneficial insects, which might come into contact with your treated plants. Plus, you generally have less trouble with actual pests outdoors since they have natural predators. If you're really worried, keeping your plants inside might be the safer option.
That’s a good point about predators! I think I’ll try to keep my plants outdoors and see how they manage.
You definitely want to avoid systemic insecticides. They can linger in the plant’s sap and impact pollinators, even if your plant isn’t flowering. Consider natural alternatives or just using water to hose off any pests you find. It’s all about letting nature do its thing!
Right? Just give them a good rinse if you spot any unwanted guests.
Totally agree! Nature has a way of balancing itself out. Outdoor plants usually do pretty well without chemical help.