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Alternatives to Fumigation

Fumigants are extremely toxic pesticides used to sterilize soil before planting. They are designed to kill insects, fungi and weeds. According to the Pesticide Action Network North America, fumigants are used more intensively than any other pesticide. Highly toxic fumigants are used heavily in soil for strawberries, potatoes and tobacco, to name a few. Fumigation is also used to treat seeds, stored grains and timber. Other alternatives are available that are economically viable and chemical free. The organic industry has tremendous success without using fumigants and pesticides.

  1. Crop Rotation

    • Field of crops ready for rotation.

      By rotating crops, you can manage insects and diseases at no cost. Disease builds up in soil when crops are planted in the same locality year after year; rotation eliminates this problem. If crops are rotated, the host plant is moved and prevents the disease from spreading. Penn State University's article, "Crop Rotation" suggests insect and pests have difficulty finding their target once crop rotation is implemented

    Biologic Contol

    • Biologic control is the use of "nature" to rid the soil of the bugs and pests that destroy crops. Pathogens or parasites are released into the soil to reduce or eliminate pests. According to the Agricultural department at Arizona University, biologic control is the use of anything that does not contain chemicals, such as plant botanicals, crab and shrimp shells or sesame chaff. Root trimming is a method that rids the plant of bugs and pests by trimming off the plant roots before replanting.

    Heat Treatments

    • Solarization is the ideal means; it is more cost effective than the steam treatment which requires a steam generator. Solarization is accomplished by placing plastic tarps over the soil and securing them. A water hose is placed under the tarp, and the soil is watered. The tarp is left until the soil reaches a temperature which will kill pests and disease. Steam treatments and hot water treatments work on the same premise; heat is used to treat the soil to kill insects and fungi. The key is to have the correct balance of temperature and time. Too little of either has no beneficial results and too much of either kills the plants.

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