Tips for Lower-risk Pest Control

Products are available that have less risk to the user and others. Select these whenever appropriate.

  • First, consider non-chemical control methods for your pest. Hand-picking insect pests is a tried-and-true control method that still works. A pesticide may not be needed.
  • If you need a pesticide, start with the lowest-risk product that will do the job.
  • Use sticky traps to reduce the number of insects.
  • Select products that have less risk to beneficial insects.
  • Consider diatomaceous earth to control soft-bodied insects.
  • Use horticultural oils to smother pests. There are different types, and some can only be applied to dormant plants. Make sure you read and follow the label directions.
  • When using insecticidal soaps to kill insects, be sure to coat surfaces thoroughly.
  • Botanical insecticides derived from plants are less toxic to mammals and birds.
  • Microbial insecticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) target specific types of insects and will not harm most beneficial insects, birds or animals. They must be eaten by the pests in order to kill them. Pick the right variety for your pest.
  • When using traditional products, apply a selective pesticide whenever possible.
Photo of a cup full of tomato hornworms

Control tomato hornworms the old-fashioned way.
Pick them off the plants and squash them.

Hefner, M. 2019, Tips for Lower-risk Pest Control, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP

If you need more information.

Please contact Extension's Communication Team for assistance.

 

Also of Interest:

 
Guía para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de la Hormiga Carpintera
Las hormigas carpinteras son unas de las hormigas más grandes que existen en los Estados Unidos. Una colonia de hormigas carpinteras se compone por una reina y varios miles de hormigas obreras.
 Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-24-10
Guía para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de la Hormiga Cosechadora
Hay 22 especies diferentes de hormigas cosechadoras en los Estados Unidos. El color de las hormigas cosechadoras varía desde el color negro hasta el café y el rojo, miden un tamaño promedio de 1/5 a 1/2 pulgada de largo. Viendo de cerca el cuerpo de una hormiga cosechadora se pue...
 Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H. with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
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Las polillas Esfinge de Rayas Blancas se alimentan del néctar de las plantas y no causan ningún daño. Además, es importante señalar que las polillas adultas son buenas polinizadoras de muchas de nuestras plantas.
 Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H. with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Guia para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada ldentificacion y Manejo de las Polillas del Tabaco y del Tomate
Se pueden encontrar polillas del tabaco y polillas del tomate en áreas que abarcan desde el sur de Canadá hasta el Caribe. Estas especies se asemejan bastante y se comportan similarmente.
 Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H. with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
catepillar
A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing Cabbage Caterpillars
This fact sheet describes the identifying features, life cycle, plant damage, and control methods for managing common caterpillar pests on various crops in the cabbage family.
 K. Burls, W. Hanson Mazet, H. Kratsch 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-109
 

Associated Programs

Garden plant and pest sprayers image by Olga Seifutdinova from Getty Images

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.