<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for A guide to non-toxic pest control]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Zephaniah http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/ Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:52:24 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/1 SLUGS  just disappear when dried crumbled EGGSHELLS surround their favorite plants!! I almost feel sorry for the slugs, but the lettuce, arugula and sorrel are flourishing.

]]> SLUGS  just disappear when dried crumbled EGGSHELLS surround their favorite plants!! I almost feel sorry for the slugs, but the lettuce, arugula and sorrel are flourishing.

]]> Comment #2 by Pangolin http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/ Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:56:40 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/2 Ants- mix up about 2 cups of cat food with 1/3 cup of boric acid powder. Place in empty, dry, beer or soda bottles and place on their sides against the foundation on the exterior of the house. Renew on solstices and equinoxes. (it gets moldy after a while) A friend swears by tansy planted under the kitchen window as ant bane.

Cockroaches-If you see more than a single cockroach there is a water leak, pipe with condensation or some other source of water available to that roach within about 20 feet. Eliminate all possible water sources and moist mulch beds adjacent to the house/foundation, sweep the roof and check the gutters for good operation. Ruthless elimination of water sources will eliminate roaches even if food is available. Elimination of food sources may involve partial dismantling of the stove to clean all grease deposits. Keep all pet food in airtight metal containers. Cockroaches also can be suppressed with boric acid feeding stations. Freezing your house (drain the pipes first) in the winter will also kill roaches.

Fleas- A handful of dried pennyroyal tossed into the dog bed cover (like a pillowcase) eliminated a long-term, persistent flea problem for me. The dog smelled better too. A quick Google reveals there may be a caution for pennyroyal use with cats. Do not apply directly to the cat.

Flies- Place fly traps out when you see your first fly in the spring and renew/maintain several times over the warm season. Empty kitchen compost to an active pile daily. Add crushed charcoal to compost and animal manure piles to speed composting and deny fly larvae habitat.

Relatives- Put a bit of red Thai curry paste in all food items. Keep adding more at each meal until they go away.









]]> Ants- mix up about 2 cups of cat food with 1/3 cup of boric acid powder. Place in empty, dry, beer or soda bottles and place on their sides against the foundation on the exterior of the house. Renew on solstices and equinoxes. (it gets moldy after a while) A friend swears by tansy planted under the kitchen window as ant bane.

Cockroaches-If you see more than a single cockroach there is a water leak, pipe with condensation or some other source of water available to that roach within about 20 feet. Eliminate all possible water sources and moist mulch beds adjacent to the house/foundation, sweep the roof and check the gutters for good operation. Ruthless elimination of water sources will eliminate roaches even if food is available. Elimination of food sources may involve partial dismantling of the stove to clean all grease deposits. Keep all pet food in airtight metal containers. Cockroaches also can be suppressed with boric acid feeding stations. Freezing your house (drain the pipes first) in the winter will also kill roaches.

Fleas- A handful of dried pennyroyal tossed into the dog bed cover (like a pillowcase) eliminated a long-term, persistent flea problem for me. The dog smelled better too. A quick Google reveals there may be a caution for pennyroyal use with cats. Do not apply directly to the cat.

Flies- Place fly traps out when you see your first fly in the spring and renew/maintain several times over the warm season. Empty kitchen compost to an active pile daily. Add crushed charcoal to compost and animal manure piles to speed composting and deny fly larvae habitat.

Relatives- Put a bit of red Thai curry paste in all food items. Keep adding more at each meal until they go away.









]]> Comment #3 by dirthippy http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/ Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:14:02 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/3 Be cautious of using the garlic-oil trick to keep away pests. Spraying any type of oil on foliage in the summer can cause serious damage. It's kind of like rubbing baby oil on your skin and then laying out in the sun between the hours of 10 and 3. Maybe a water-based garlic spray would be better.

 

Your Friendly Neighborhood Arborist

]]> Be cautious of using the garlic-oil trick to keep away pests. Spraying any type of oil on foliage in the summer can cause serious damage. It's kind of like rubbing baby oil on your skin and then laying out in the sun between the hours of 10 and 3. Maybe a water-based garlic spray would be better.

 

Your Friendly Neighborhood Arborist

]]> Comment #4 by Ashley Braun http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/ Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:52:44 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/4 Recently I just about ripped my hair out from a persistent ant infestation (I'm all respect when they're not in my kitchen or my laundry). My housemate and I had a lot of success with Dr. Bronner's peppermint (ants hate it) biodegradable soap spread around the exteriors of our windows and doors. You can also spray the ants directly with a dilution of the soap and water to kill them on contact.

Next we found their trail toward our house and put a line of Dr. Bronner's around it to isolate them. We then placed dollops of a mixture of water, sugar, honey, and Borax inside that with them. This wards them off and reduces their numbers for several weeks, but you have to be vigilant and re-apply if it rains or starts to break down. And don't let your pets or kids eat it obviously! (It's not Raid, but it's also not for non-ant consumption.) Good luck!

 

]]> Recently I just about ripped my hair out from a persistent ant infestation (I'm all respect when they're not in my kitchen or my laundry). My housemate and I had a lot of success with Dr. Bronner's peppermint (ants hate it) biodegradable soap spread around the exteriors of our windows and doors. You can also spray the ants directly with a dilution of the soap and water to kill them on contact.

Next we found their trail toward our house and put a line of Dr. Bronner's around it to isolate them. We then placed dollops of a mixture of water, sugar, honey, and Borax inside that with them. This wards them off and reduces their numbers for several weeks, but you have to be vigilant and re-apply if it rains or starts to break down. And don't let your pets or kids eat it obviously! (It's not Raid, but it's also not for non-ant consumption.) Good luck!

 

]]> Comment #5 by Tasermons Partner http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/ Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:12:35 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/5 Fleas - Place flat pans (like baking pans) on the floor around the house, and fill pans with vinegar.  The smell can take some gettin' used to, but usually within a few days, all the fleas have sucessfully drowned themselves.

Ants - Grits.  Spread generously over a mound.  Ants will gorge themselves until they die.  Ants will eat grits and will not stop eatin' grits until their stomachs literally explode.

]]> Fleas - Place flat pans (like baking pans) on the floor around the house, and fill pans with vinegar.  The smell can take some gettin' used to, but usually within a few days, all the fleas have sucessfully drowned themselves.

Ants - Grits.  Spread generously over a mound.  Ants will gorge themselves until they die.  Ants will eat grits and will not stop eatin' grits until their stomachs literally explode.

]]> Comment #6 by Jacktheecomaniac http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/ Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:08:22 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-09-guide-non-toxic-pest-control/6 Mosquitos - These guys have always been the biggest problem for me. In the past I've used deet products, but I've been in search for a non-toxic alternative that really works for a long time. Citronella candles work ok when you're staying within a couple feet of them, but then as soon as you walk away the blood suckers attack. Another alternative I've tried is eucalyptus oil. It works well but leaves my skin feeling really greasy after a while.

Recently my friend let me in on his secret weapon, Vitamin B1. Apparently it is a natural repellant and I had great results when i tried it in a patch form that I found at http://www.greenhome.com.

 

]]> Mosquitos - These guys have always been the biggest problem for me. In the past I've used deet products, but I've been in search for a non-toxic alternative that really works for a long time. Citronella candles work ok when you're staying within a couple feet of them, but then as soon as you walk away the blood suckers attack. Another alternative I've tried is eucalyptus oil. It works well but leaves my skin feeling really greasy after a while.

Recently my friend let me in on his secret weapon, Vitamin B1. Apparently it is a natural repellant and I had great results when i tried it in a patch form that I found at http://www.greenhome.com.

 

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