I haven't read through all of them, but the University of California Davis has published a "quick tip" guide for combatting common garden problems and pests by using IPM (Integrated Pest Management) and other least harmful methods.

Might be something to bookmark for future reference:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/QT/index.html

Thank You Linda! Next time the exterminators come to my door they are getting the print out about ants. They always think I am a crazy person when I say we don't spay for ants and tell them that actually ants are the good guys!

Ellen