It is important for every gardener and land manager to critically consider the role of pesticides in their landscape management. There is a definitive body of scientific evidence that indicates the over- and improper use of pesticides is one of the drivers of insect decline.

The next step after you think you have an issue is to appropriately identify the issue to determine whether it is actually a problem and if it is worth acting upon. (You can reach out to us or your local N.C. Cooperative Extension Agent to get free help if you can't determine it yourself!)

At Pollinator Have Garden we choose to only use pesticides in strictly limited capacities. Red imported fire ants and yellow nutsedge are controlled via selective pesticides.

Extinguish is used on red imported fire ant mounds because this is an invasive pest and it is unsafe for visitors to have around. Sedgehammer (active ingredient halosulfuron) is a sedge-selective herbicide, so it can be sprayed in a garden setting without too much worrying about negative impacts to desirable ornamental plants (though it can cause some issues with some plants, so it is ALWAYS important to read the pesticide label!).

Otherwise, pesticides are used on a limited basis when other Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management strategies will not be economical.

We use a flame weeder to control for weeds in the paths and other open areas. This is a torch that hooks up to a standard propane tank and is lit using a flint lighter. Safety is key!! The water hose is always kept on and near at hand, in case any flames get out of hand. The flame weeder is not operated during high winds or drought conditions. The operator always wears natural fibers and does not operate alone. The flame weeder can singe plants and is not the most effective control of perennial, established weeds. Thankfully our pollinator plants recover and majority of our weeds in the paths are controlled. We prefer this method over using chemical pesticides.