Natural Pest Control by Amy Allison
Your backyard or garden can be a safe and wondrous place for your child to explore, but small children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of most commercially available pesticides.
And though they may rid your backyard and garden of destructive bugs, such products also kill off friendly wildlife. Birds, butterflies, bees and even wasps play an important role in pollinating fruits and flowers. By taking a natural approach to pest control, you’ll protect the health of your kids—and your plants.
Here are some tips to try.
1. Let nature do the dirty work.
Certain natural predators will attack pests without killing your plants. For example, ladybugs and lacewings have an appetite for aphids, wasps for moths and beetle larvae, and praying mantis for just about any pest. You can attract these predators by creating a “mini” insectary, a garden plot that holds six or seven plant varieties that attract these bugs. Daisies draw ladybugs, black-eyed Susans and goldenrod attract lacewigs, and dill and coriander bring wasps. Learn more by visiting eartheasy.com.
2. Spray pests away.
Garlic, hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper diluted in water makes an effective spray against insect pests. Neem oil and soapy water are potent bug sprays as well. Mist infested plants gently top to bottom, then bottom to top to ensure you reach the underside of leaves.
3. Secure a barrier.
Place scraps of roofing felt or segments of waxed cardboard cut from milk or yogurt cartons around the base of seedling stems and sprouts to deter pests like cutworms. You can also drape garden beds with floating row covers. Made of a lightweight opaque material, these allow water and sunlight to enter but keep out insects.
4. Set a trap.
A slimy, shiny trail is a telltale sign that slugs or snails are munching on your seedlings and plants. Trap them by placing slices of melon rind in shady areas where they tend to hide. Slugs also like the taste of beer, so you can try luring them with a saucer of the stuff. Since slugs and snails mostly feed at night, put the bait out during the evening.
Product Info
California Baby's Super Sensitive Shampoo & Bodywash
Contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients
Biodegradable
Vegetable based
Visit www.californiababy.com for more product information
Recipe for Bug Spray
Makes 12 ounces
1 tablespoon of Super Sensitive Shampoo & Bodywash
12 ounce spray bottle
Water
Add 1 tablespoon of Super Sensitive Shampoo & Bodywash into a 12 ounce spray bottle, fill with distilled water and shake to mix.
Spray houseplants making sure to reach the undersides of the leaves where pests hide. It can be used outdoors too, but never in direct sunlight, which may burn leaves. Spray in the early morning or evening. This “soap” mixture is non-toxic.