In nature, pests are usually controlled by the presence of
insect predators and parasites which keep the populations
of the harmful insects in control.

Most of the insects in nature are either beneficial or at
least harmless. There are many ways to encourage insect
predators in one's garden.

1. Create a suitable habitat for insect predators. Flowering
   shrubs and trees throughout the garden will attract many
   beneficial insects including parasitic wasps which require
   pollen and nectar for their growth and maturity. Plants
   belonging to Umbelliferae family are particularly effective
   in attracting natural enemies of pests.

2. Provide alternate hosts for pests. To ensure availability
   of food for the beneficial organisms, grow alternate host
   plants along fence lines and in between cultivated crops.
   The natural enemy populations on these alternate host plants
   will control pests attacking the cultivated crop.

3. Create nesting sites for frogs, reptiles and birds. Logs
   of dead trees, irregularly shaped rocks with crevices and
   cavities and plenty of mulch can be a good nesting sites
   for snakes, lizards, frogs, rove beetles and carabid beetles
   and carabid beetles, which feed on insects.

4. Increase humidity by providing water holes. Humidity is
   much needed for the survival of natural enemies. It serves
   as a source of drinking water for reptiles, birds and frogs.
   Many predatory insects live in, on and near water. Well-vegetated
   small dams, little water pools and swales scattered throughout
   the garden will create conditions for the build-up of natural
   enemies.

5. Practice mixed crops and harvesting them in strips help
   maintain natural enemies and confuses pests. For fungal pathogens,
   the practice of mixed cropping is desirable as the root exudates
   of another crop can be toxic to the pathogen. Mixed cropping
   also encourages soil microbes which, in turn, act as barriers
   to the fungal pathogen.

6. Reduce dust build up in crop plants. Dust inhibits the
   functioning of natural enemies. Growing well-designed windbreaks
   and ground cover crops like centrosema and lablab bean will
   reduce dust. Use of overhead sprinklers will also help periodically
   in washing off the dust.

7. Avoid spraying chemical pesticides. Chemical pesticides
   eliminate beneficial insects. Improved application method
   should be developed and minimum doses should be applied.