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5 Simple Pest Remedies for the Garden

posted by Annie B. Bond Jun 15, 2005 8:10 pm
5 Simple Pest Remedies for the Garden
9 comments

Adapted from A Year on The Garden Path, by Carolyn Herriot (Earthfuture/Lantern, 2005).

So often the home garden pest control remedies work as well or better than the chemical counterparts, and with the added bonus that with these formulas made of kitchen cupboard ingredients, you don’t need to worry about poisoning yourself, your pets, or your garden!

Print out these five standby remedies for yard and garden, including a natural fungicide for mildew and black spot:

Simple Soap Solution
2 Tbs. soap flakes
2 litre warm water
Dissolve soap flakes in water and apply directly to infested areas every 5-7 days. Note: Too much soap can cause burning on plants.
Pests affected: aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.

Garlic Oil Spray
10-15 cloves of minced garlic
2 tsp. mineral oil
600 ml water
1 tsp. liquid dish soap
Soak garlic in mineral oil for 24 hours. Strain garlic out and add 600 ml water and 1 tsp. liquid dish soap. Mix thoroughly. Spray plants with this solution.
Pests affected: Aphids, spider ites, and whiteflies

Fungicide for Mildew and Black Spot
1 tsp. baking soda
1 litre water
1 tsp. soap flakes
Dissolve baking soda in 1 litre of warm water.

Add soap flakes to help solution cling to leaves. Remove infected leaves from plant, then spray top and bottom of remaining leaf surfaces to control spread of the disease.

Sticky Traps
1-2 Tbsp. Vaseline or preferably, Unpetroleum Jelly
4”x8” plastic cards or cardboard
Waterproof yellow paint
Apply paint onto both sides of the card and let it dry. Once the paint is dry, apply
Unpetroleum Jelly liberally over both sides of the card. Place the card just above the plant canopy.
Pests controlled:Flying pests, such as fungus gnats, and whiteflies.

Sowbug Traps
1 small plastic container with lid
2 Tbsp. cornmeal
Cut a small hole at the base of the container, large enough and close enough to the bottom to allow sowbugs to climb in. Place cornmeal in container. Place container into area infested with sowbugs. After feeding on the cornmeal, the bugs will drink and then explode! (Replace cornmeal frequently.)

More on Lawns & Gardens (109 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3244 articles available)

9 comments

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9 Comments       add a comment »
Donna G.

For Beth D: Try getting some rat predator scent and spray it around. One site which sells predator urine is http://www.predatorpee.com/

I don't know how well it works. Also, keeping a dog in the yard might work. When I lived in Florida, I had an Afghan hound which would kill moles.

Rats are smart creatures. If you make their environment less rat friendly, they will find another place to call home.

Rats are omnivores, they'll eat anything so make sure anything that could be considered food for them is kept in metal bing with lids.

Good luck with your rat problem.

Jackie J.

I HAVE A LARGE BLACK BUG DIGGING AROUND MY FRUIT TREES AND IT IS ACTUALLY UPROOTING THEM.THEY LEAVE AN ANT HILL LOOKING MOUND WHERE THEY DIG.PLEASE HELP ARE THERE ANY HOME REMEDIES

Beth D.
  • Beth D. says
  • Apr 22, 2008 5:49 AM

we have rats really bad outside, mainly in our backyard. I can't afford and extermenator. I noticed also just yesterday that one is in our kitchen!! Is there anyway of detouring them? I've heard that "red wood" garden are good because they do not like them. Please , if you can... get back to me ASAP. Thank you so much.
"Lady sitting with her legs up in a chair"

Michele Hansen

How can I get rid of ant hills? Thanks in advanced.

lyndsey d.

What is a healthy way to get rid of grubs without using the chemical compostitions from the lawn and garden stores? I missed my opportunity in the fall to put anything down, and I want a head start for the spring?

Lisa York

For DG ETAL: check out Jerry Baker's books. He's a master gardener and has many environmentally friendly ideas for dealing with plant/garden remedies and pest deterents. Great because his remedies are safe to use his suggestions around kids and pets since he uses natural household items.

dg etal
  • dg etal says
  • Jun 21, 2007 11:57 AM

something is eating my leaves and bloombuds but I see nothing. any ideas to help? they are outside plants on my little deck, thanks so much~dg~

Shawn Dell Joyce

Any suggestions for getting rid of pesky Gypsy Moth caterpillars? We are infested!

Sage White Owl

How do you keep wood rats from eating the leaves off of your garden plants????

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Adapted from A Year on The Garden Path, by Carolyn Herriot (Earthfuture/Lantern, 2005). Copyright (c) 2005 by Carolyn Herriot. Reprinted by permission of Lantern Books.

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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