As it often occurs a customer's conversation inspires me to write a column. And as luck would have it, I had one of those conversations today. Talking to a customer about organic versus non-GMO gardening, we got talking about organic fungicides and insecticides, one of which happened to be Spinosad.

I am sure you probably haven't heard of Spinosad so I will start from the beginning as it is a story that is worth telling. This story is also the reason why places like the rainforests and other natural areas around the world need to be protected. In 1985, in the Virgin Islands, researchers found that an area around an old rum distillery from the 1800's had no insects in the immediate area. There was other wildlife like birds, squirrels and such, but no ants, flies, caterpillars or other insects.

Upon further inspection and scientific testing it was discovered that a bacteria found in the soil in and around the old sugar mill for the distillery was toxic to insects. This bacteria that had been around for a hundred years or more was only discovered thirty four years ago. What other discoveries are out there in the rainforests or deserts of the world.

From the Virgin Island discovery, two bacterias, Spinosyn A and Spinosyn D were combined and refined into the active ingredient now known as Spinosad. How original Spinosyn A & D = Spinosad. In 1997, Spinosad was registered with the EPA as an all natural insecticide and was eligible to be used on organic crops as the bacteria is naturally occurring.

One chemical company, Bonide based in Ossining, New York, has come out with a product line that pays tribute to the origins of Spinosad. Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew is a complete line of all natural insecticides for lawns, gardens, trees and shrubs. Dead Bug Brew works well for a wide variety of insects, yet doesn't harm other fauna in the area.

Ok, so the frogs are not too happy about their bugs moving away, but they can just hop to your neighbors yard where all the bugs moved to. So if you are looking for an alternative to the chemical insecticides that are readily available on the market today, Captain Jack's may be right for you. And with the warm weather we had this week you might need it sooner than later, flea season is almost upon us.