The vegetable garden in the tropics - Journey to Forever

? Keep them locked away, out of reach from children.
? Read and follow the instructions printed on the package before using
them.
? Do not use them too shortly before the harvest.
? Avoid all contact with pesticides (hands, eyes) and don’t breathe
them in.
? Wash thoroughly with soap after use.
Take care not to pollute river or well water by throwing in extra chemicals
or empty packets, but bury these in a hole that will be filled up
again later. In case of poisoning, go immediately to a dispensary. The
best precaution is not to use chemicals at all!
Insects, snails, mice, rats and birds
Those insects that eat or suck leaves and fruit generally cause the greatest
damage in the family garden. Caterpillars in particular are very damaging.
Other insect pests are locusts, aphids (plant lice), bugs and mites.
Insects and snails not only cause loss of production, they also make the
products less appetizing and less marketable. Snails, caterpillars and
other large insects can be removed by hand. Heavily infected plants
should be burned. Spreading powdered wood ashes is effective, especially
against caterpillars, but it makes the leaves dirty and may cause
them to rot. Some less toxic insecticides that are used in commercial
vegetable growing are: Lindan, Carbaryl (Sevin), Fenitrothion
(Sumithion), Malathion, Bromophos (Nexion), Dimethoate (Perfekthion),
Diflubenzoron (Dimilin). The names in parentheses are brand
names. The insecticides Thuricide (also known as Dipel or Bactospeine),
Rotenone and Pyrethrin are effective and not toxic, but are expensive.
We must strongly advise against the use of DDT, Parathion,
Dieldrin, Aldrin, Endrin and Endosulfan, which are very toxic and remain
for a long time in plants and the soil.
The most important weapon in fighting rats and mice is hygiene: remove
waste and garbage, cover the compost heap with earth etc. Traps,
poisoned bait in a bamboo tube (to protect it against rain and prevent
children from getting it) can also be used to control these animals. To
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The vegetable garden in the tropics