Bacillus Thuringiensis

Commonly called BT, bacillus thuringiensis is a naturally occuring bacterial disease that only effects specific insects.
The main problem with most (if not all) insecticides is that they kill all insects - the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.  When the good (or beneficial) bugs are killed it takes longer for them to regroup and often you see outbreaks in the bad populations. 

The good bugs are gone - the bad bugs move in with all of the aunties, uncles, nephews, nieces - the whole clan.  And you are left to clean it up.

Not a problem with Bt. 

There are different strains of Bt naturally occuring in the soil around the world.  Kind of like the Flu with humans.  Different strains effect different insects:

Kurstaki Strain

• Vegetable insects
• Cabbage worm
• Tomato and tobacco hornworm.
•  Field and forage crop insects
• European corn borer
• Alfalfa caterpillar,
• Alfalfa webworm.
•  Fruit crop insects
• Leafroller.
• Achemon sphinx.
•  Tree and shrub insects
• Fall webworm,
• Leafroller,
• Pine budworm,
• Pine butterfly,
• Red-humped caterpillar,
• Spiny elm caterpillar,
• Tent caterpillar,
• Western spruce budworm.

Israelensis Strains

• Mosquito
• Fungus Gnat
• Black Fly

San Diego / Tenebrionis Strains

• Elm Leaf Beetle
• Colorado Potato Beetle
• Cottonwood Leaf Beetle

Why should I care?  It's a natural alternative to pesticides that is safe around you, your children, your pets and the environment.  And the Good Bugs get to live too!  (btw - not all Ugly bugs are bad - Ugly bugs need love too!)

Get your hands dirty!