Category Archives: Garden Pests

All Natural Green Ant Killer For Pennies

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All natural green ant killer. Costs just pennies and it works just as well as expensive poison! This natural ant killer can be used in a garden to sustain an organic environment. If you mix in a little sugar, it will help attract the ants even more. They will eat it and return to their colonies and the ants will die. I use it in my kitchen, during the summer, when those pesky kitchen ants start to appear.

Natural Ant Killer

However, too much borax can be toxic to dogs and cats. Many commercial flea treatments and insecticides contain borax. Animals ingesting large amounts of borax or boric acid may experience vomiting, swelling of the throat, and may need hospitalization. Because of this, it is recommended for use it sparingly around pets and children. 

Old Home Remedy Makes Mosquitoes Disappear

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I will need to try this… Swarms of Mosquitoes on my patio led me to an old home remedy – Did you know that chopped up garlic makes mosquitoes disappear? I buy minced, dried garlic at local Fiesta grocery stores and sprinkle it around on my patio. I have to stand back as I am using it – mosquitoes will literally swarm out of your plants and bushes to get away from the smell. Works like a charm!!

Garlic Bulbs According to this old home remedy, garlic will keep the mosquitos away! Garlic contains a compound called allicin which gives it its characteristic smell. In fact, allicin is also what makes garlic such an effective antibiotic and antifungal agent. Several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of keeping mosquitos away by placing raw garlic cloves near indoor entryways and outdoor areas.

Mosquito on Arm

Many claim that it has worked for them when they either placed a few cloves in their home or rubbed fresh minced garlic on their skin every evening before going outdoors. One study found that a clove was sufficient to keep mosquitos from entering the area around the door. The effectiveness of garlic as a repellant depends on how much allicin is released from the clove, and whether or not it has been diluted by other odors.

Pennies Around Hosta Plants As A Slug Deterrent

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Slugs won’t cross copper because it imparts a slight electric charge when they touch it. Dark-colored, older pennies, which are mostly copper, work the best. The trick is to get the penny into direct contact with the slug’s skin. If it makes physical contact, the slug will try to crawl around or over but won’t be able to because of its slime trail and gravity. The slime trail provides a path for electric current and causes paralysis while gravity pulls them down.

Penny Ball

Here’s the instructions for a neat “penny ball” you can make to deter your slugs while adding some interesting art to your garden!

Lemongrass Repels Fleas Ticks And Mosquitoes

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Lemongrass, scientifically named Cymbopogon citratus, is a grassy weed that can grow to be about 4 feet tall and produces an oil that people have been using for decades as both food additive and pesticide to keep away pests.

LemonGrass

Image Source: GardeningKnowHow.com

Lemongrass has been used extensively for centuries by humans as well as animals. Some pet owners put lemongrass into their pets’ collars because it kills fleas and other bugs on contact, preventing harmful diseases spread by parasites like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The herb also repels mosquitoes; if you rub the plant onto your skin, mosquitoes will steer clear.

If you’re trying to prevent bug bites and keep your yard pest-free, try planting lemongrass near your house. If you don’t have any space for a garden, simply buy the plant and place it in a pot outside.

Black Spot, Powdery Mildew, And Rust Are A Terrible Trio Of Fungi

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This simple home solution can save many plants from powdery mildew and other plant fungus problems. Generic aspirin also contains salicylic acid which is known for its fungicidal properties and kills powdery mildew on contact.

Aspirin in Bottle

Aspirin is the remedy for fungal plant problems, Black spot, powdery mildew, and rust are a terrible trio of fungi, which can attack and destroy your plants. Scientists have found that two uncoated aspirin tablets (325 milligrams each) dissolved in 1 quart of water and used as a foliage spray can thwart these diseases.

Powdery Mildew on Leaf

Image Source: GardenersPath.com

 

Build A Mosquito Control Container Without Deet

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One of the worst pests of the garden is mosquitoes and they are usually fought with insecticides or sprayed out by hand to prevent serious damage to young fruits, vegetables and flowers. But did you know that you can build a Mosquito Control container of specific plants that will repel these pests naturally, so you can sit and unwind in the evenings without dousing in DEET.

Mosquito Repellent Plants

The container is planted with Citronella geranium, Marigold “Lemon gem”, Lemon Grass, Catnip, Ageratum “Artist Purple”, Lemon thyme. The chart above show the layout and types of plants you should use.

Keep Wasps and Bees Away This Summer

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If you’re worried about uninvited outdoor guests this summer – no, not your nosy neighbor, but those pesky wasps and bees – use this secret weapon. It’s a simple, natural repellent made with just two ingredients: lemons and cloves.

Cloves in Lemons

Wasps and bees have a strong sense of smell, and they’re not fans of the citrusy scent of lemons or the spicy aroma of cloves. These odors confuse them and mask the scents they use to communicate and find food. So, by combining these two ingredients, you create a powerful deterrent that will keep those pesky insects at bay.

To make your own repellent, simply take a few lemons and cut them in half. Then, take some whole cloves and stick them into the fleshy part of the lemon halves, covering the surface evenly. Place the clove-studded lemon halves around your picnic area, and voila! You’ve created a fragrant, natural barrier that’ll discourage wasps and bees from crashing your party.

Now, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your picnic in peace, without the constant buzzing and the fear of getting stung. This repellent is effective, but it’s not a guarantee, so you’ll still need to be somewhat cautious. Happy picnicking!

Lemon Grass Is A Natural Mosquito Repellent

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Lemon grass is a natural mosquito repellent and grows quite tall. Plant some in deep planters and place on the patio or where you will have people sitting and you will also have a privacy hedge with the added benefit of being a natural bug barrier.

Lemon Grass

Put 4-5 stalks in a deep pot and plant it at least 1/2 way into the ground for stability. Place the potted lemon grass where you will be sitting so that the breeze blows over its aroma towards your guests. The mosquitos won’t bother anyone when they are around.