Recently, pesticides and GMO’s have become a huge topic of debate. There are large protests against the efforts of the Monsanto company for their food alterations. Many have linked their food treatment processes to the decimation of bumble bees that will have hugely negative effects on ecosystems necessary for food production. There is now a fungi pesticide that offers a non-toxic alternative to the chemical approach that Monsanto and many others have been taking in recent years.
(NaturalNews) A patent for a pesticide made from mushrooms was granted in 2006. This pesticide is safe, nontoxic and can control over two-hundred thousand types of insects. Fungi are known to cause insect diseases a
nd the use of spores from fungi has been known for over 100 years. Previous patents were granted as far back as 1992 for fungal ant killers and termite control. In 2014, pesticides were a $16 million dollar business. A fungi-based pesticide is safer to use, safer for the planet, and has no lasting effect on the plants or planet.Current situation with insects and pesticides
Over 1 million types of insects populate our planet, but only 1 percent are harmful and considered to be “pests.” They are considered to be pests because they eat the foods we grow, or harm the livestock we need, or destroy our homes. The cost of the destruction caused by pests is high, as is the effects of chemical pesticides used to eradicate them. Many insects are now becoming resistant to pesticides. In addition, use of pesticides has been linked to causing many problems including human infertility, birth defects and the demise of the honeybee population. Pesticide use also harms natural insect predators, such as rabbits and other beneficial insects.How the mushroom pesticide works
The fungi pesticide works by attracting the insect, who then eats it and dies. A fungus is grown on grain or wood, or agricultural waste products. Insects are attracted to the fungus. When the insects eat the fungus, they become infected with the fungi, which kills them. Depending on the insect population, a variety of fungi, or a combination of different fungi can be used. Some of the fungi have what is called “phagostimulatory effect” which means that they cause the insects to want to feed. Basically, they increase the insects’ hunger, then lead them to eat the poisonous mushrooms.Read more at:
