IPM has proven to be a highly effective means of controlling all kinds of plant pests, including those that attack turf grass, perennials and vegetables. Beneficial bugs are available through garden catalogs, nurseries and home and garden centers. Often nurseries and garden centers sell empty boxes that come with ordering and shipping instructions as well as information on preferred release dates for your area. Keep in mind that if you use pesticides in your garden, you'll kill beneficial insects as well as harmful ones. So when you use insecticides, spray only the infested plants, and mix only the amount of spray that you need at that time.
Insecticidal soap can be an effective low-toxicity pesticide, but it kills insects indiscriminately.
Dormant oils smother insects as they overwinter on trees and shrubs. The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis , or Bt, is an effective treatment against caterpillars such as tobacco bud worm and geranium bud worm. But butterflies begin life as caterpillars too, so in order to avoid killing them, spray only the affected plants, and mix no more than you'll use at one time. When using pesticides of any sort, always read and follow package instructions carefully.