The best method of biological control, Sadof says, is nurturing and encouraging the natural enemies already found in your yard. Ladybugs like many of the pests you don't. Reducing the use of pesticides allows ladybugs and other beneficial insects to take over your pest management chores. Control by exclusion means simply keeping pests at bay. Fences that keep rabbits out of vegetable gardens are one example.
Netting also can safeguard plants from birds and insects.
Early identification of a pest is critical, because most pesticide alternatives work better on small, young pest populations. Keep records of what you saw, what you did and what worked. Next year you'll be able to make better decisions based on your own experience. The computer age has come to university residence halls, with personal computers in about half of all student rooms and computer workrooms becoming as prevalent as television lounges. At Purdue University, there were 4,261 computers in 6,500 student rooms last year, says Lanny Wilson, associate director of residence halls.