Best Pest Control Info
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Natural Lawn and Garden Pest Eliminators Found In Your Kitchen
1. To get rid of snails and slugs in your garden, add crushed eggshells to your soil. To them, it's walking on glass, so snails and slugs will tend to avoid the area entirely. If slugs are a continuing problem, a few pinches of salt will make quick work of them.
2. Garlic cloves and hot peppers are an effective deterrent for all kinds of pests. Try blending a chopped garlic clove (without peeling), a couple of hot peppers or a jar of hot pepper sauce, along with a few drops of liquid bleach. Mix with water and add to a spray bottle and start hosing the invaders down. Dont forget to spray the undersides of leaves where pests tend to hide.
3. If a fungus has invaded your plants, mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid and water and wipe it down. Youll be surprised how quickly this will rejuvenate sickly looking plants!
4. Nutrient-rich soil is one of your best defenses against common garden ailments. Adding organic mulch around trees and flower beds, and add a layer of organic soil to your lawn every spring. The nutrients help keep plants fresh and act as a shield to protect your plants from parasites.
5. If mildew, mold or fungus is a problem, heres a solution you can spray right on the plant that makes a big difference in a very short time. Combine a gallon of water, a tablespoon of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Put into a spray bottle and mist plants from top to bottom even in places where there are no signs of a problem.
6. Leftover coffee grounds make great ingredients to compost. They work as natural pesticides and literally perk up ailing plants. Place the grounds into the soil surrounding your plants. The acidity of the coffee is what keeps invaders at bay.
Finally, consider enlisting the help of a natural army of ladybugs and earthworms. They help keep common pests like aphids away and keep the soil fertilized and healthy. Don't forget to walk around your garden or landscape often and inspect your plants for any signs of damage. Early action is the key!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The Impossible Pest - Cockroaches
Cockroaches are another pest that love moist and humid
conditions. It's important to get a handle on them as soon
as you are aware of a problem. But again, when you have
kids and pets in the house it's always best to try non-toxic
methods before going the chemical route.
Boric acid is inexpensive and there is no doubt that it works
IF applied correctly. First, you need to find out where they
are hanging out, then you need to dust the powder in these
areas. Here is the key-- more is not good in this case. You
want to put just a small amount-- a dusting-- of the boric
acid. Do not leave piles or enough to be seen clearly. One
method is to use a plastic bottle with a small tip like the ones
made for camping and picnics to hold mustard or ketchup.
Apply the boric acid in a thin layer in corners and in the
areas you are seeing the roaches. Later when you start to
see the dead bugs and the problem seems to be taking care
of you can wash down those areas. Also, remember to fix
any drips that might be causing moisture in these areas.
This is another non-toxic method you can try. It's a spray
that you can use in areas that are a problem, but smell
may be an issue. Mix a clove of garlic, a chopped onion,
one tablespoon cayenne pepper in a quart of water. Steep
for one hour, then strain. Add the mixture to a spray bottle,
put in 1 tablespoon of dish soap, shake and spray where
needed.
It's important, especially in areas of the country where roaches
can be more numerous, to keep the laundry room, areas under
sinks and the kitchen as free of crumbs and tiny bits of food as
you can. I like making a spray with a few drops of peppermint
essential oil. You can add it to a good organic cleaner (I use
Watkins) by itself or with a blend of other oils such as tea tree,
lavender or rosemary. All of these are known for their cleaning
properties, plus they leave such a nice scent! Bug free, chemical
free, and stress free!
