Final guest post: Taking care of pests in a safer way
Posted on August 2nd, 2009 – 10:38 PMBy Jaime Chismar
Hey GG friends!
Today is our last guest post. I want to give a big thank you to all contributors the past two weeks. You rock!
Later in the week, I’ll be posting some shots from Maui. Even on my honeymoon, my inner plant nerd can’t resist a tour of island natives, tropical gardens and working farms. One adventure took also us 10,000 feet above sea level to see a Silversword, a rare plant that lives only at the top of the Haleakala volcano.
Aloha!
From Rhonda:
Over the years, our family has moved away from using a lot of chemicals to maintain our grass and gardens. We don’t use anything that’s full of toxic chemicals. With cats who like to chew on various grasses, and a dog and a kid who love to romp around, I learn to live with bugs on my perennials and less-than-green, lush grass.
A few weeks back, I encountered a small wasp nest in a playhouse when I dragged it from one spot to another in the yard. I was swarmed within seconds and got stung on the lip. The good news is it only caused a fat lip but left us with the dilemma of how to get rid of the nest. This was one of three nests we found in the backyard: one was under our wood deck bench and another was in a foundation crack next to a wall. In the past, we always used the heavy-duty wasp spray. But I found a better, safer solution.
EcoSmart makes an organic, plant-based insecticide that kills wasps and hornets. It had a peppermint-like odor and killed the wasps quickly. It claims to be safe for kids and pets and leaves no pesticide residue. I was happy to find an alternative. (Read more about wasp and bee control here.)
Another ‘green’ product I found this summer wasVeggie Pharm insecticide/miticide/fungicide. I used this on bugs eating my Black-eyed Susans and other perennials. Made from garlic and organic peppermint oil, it seemed to kill the pests as well as the more toxic sprays. The label says its safe for edibles and herbs, though I was reluctant to spray it on my peppers.
What other natural or organic products have you found to use on your garden or pests? If you make up your own formulas, please share your tips.
17 Responses to "Final guest post: Taking care of pests in a safer way"
I am trying to get rid of aphids on my lupines with a combo of blasting them with a water wand and spraying them with soapy water. Now, if I did this every day, it would probably be more effective, but I have noticed a decrease in numbers.
Rhonda, where did you get the Veggie Pharm stuff? I might need to get some!
Judybusy,
The blast of water really helps. Have you tried removing them by hand, as well? It’s kind of gross, but all you do is grab the stem and run your fingers down it. You’ll smash hundreds of icky aphids. Of course, you’ll end up with aphid goo all over your hands . . .
I tried that method of aphid removal, Connie. The good news is that it turns out roses feast heartily on human blood. Never seen such healthy blooms!
You know, I’m all for organic, natural live and let live gardening (don’t use pesticides/herbicides as a general rule), but when dealing with a trio of wasp nests…bring on the DDT. There’s a time and a place to use the heavy hitters, especially when dealing with a localized threat. And wasps…yeah. They can fulfill their natural role in the food chain in someone else’s yard.
And I’ll even use the occasional burst of Round-Up on grasses/plants coming up through sidewalk cracks, driveways, etc. Not a lot; just enough to do the job with the occasional reapplication. Stuff *will* grow back given enough time. Nature will find a way.
I guess my point is don’t be afraid of the good stuff. Like everything else in life, just use it in moderation.
Geoff,
I’m with you in the “all things but moderation.” And I do occasionally use RoundUp, but I’m trying to go clean. I use boiling water on weeds in the sidewalk cracks (It works! So does a blow torch.) and nothing but insecticidal soap. Luckily, I haven’t had too many pests in my garden this year.
I got the Veggie Pharm at Whole Foods. There were several different kinds available.
Boiling water… boiling oil…flaming torches…flaming oil…
I like where you’re going with this. My home is my castle, and I will defend it from sidewalk weeds with cauldrons of flaming oil from now on! If it was good enough for the Brits in the Dark Ages, it’s good enough for me. And we all know how good of gardeners the Brits are! Who knew siege warfare and gardening were so closely related!
I’ve been plagued with some kind of bites from something this season every time I come in from gardening…particularly around the ankles. The itch lasts forever… I’m now wearing long sleeves and tucking my pants legs into my socks. It’s a charming look. No idea what it is…not aware of being bitten whilst I’m out there We have not been using insecticides or anything on the lawn…but maybe we should be?
MNmom, do you think it’s mosquitoes or chiggers? I wouldn’t use any insecticides on the lawn or garden if the bugs are eating you!
All the experts caution against using any kind of insecticide indiscriminately because you have to know what the problem is before you can find a solution that works . . .
Right, I agree with that. It’s not mosquitoes. I don’t see anything and don’t feel “bitten” until I come in. The plants are fine, though.
I’ll have to try the boiling water on the weeds in the patio. The petunies are also growing in the patio, which I rather like.
I spend alot of time digging weeds out of the lawn, but to me it’s good therapy (or maybe it’s just compulsive obsessive behavior - more therapy!)
I have successfully used cornmeal on ants - they decided to build their home in my pot of mint.
Corn meal? Sounds interesting — and tasty. How does it work?
Can anyone recommend a specific weed torch you’ve liked? I want to buy one (maybe I can get the husband to help with weeding if I give him a fire-stick!), but haven’t yet seen/heard a strong recommendation for a particular model.
You’re thinking, Sparklegirl! I got my husband to weed by telling him he could use his blow torch. I don’t know what kind it is (I’ll check with him), but it’s the one he uses for welding.
10,000 feet above sea level to see a Silversword, a rare plant that lives only at the top of the Haleakala volcano….
Sounds interesting. Has anyone had it in their garden?
Cornmeal - sprinkle over the hill. The ants come up to eat it and can’t digest it. Sometimes it takes a second application depending on the weather.
Great find! We’re always looking for safe alternatives to bee removal. Tkanks!
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Greengirls Connie Nelson, Robyn Dochterman and Jaime Chismar are dishin' the dirt from the backyard garden and beyond. Whether you're a greenthumb or greenhorn, they're eager to learn from your misshaps, mistakes -- and most importantly, your sweet successes -- all growing season long.
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