Gardening

Friday, June 2, 2023

Garden Pests- Ticks, Chiggers, Mosquitos, and Gnats

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Hey there, garden aficionados! I must apologize for my tardiness to the gardening party, but fear not, I'm here to make it up to you. Let's dive right into the fascinating world of pest control, shall we? Oh, and don't forget to bookmark this page, as I'll be updating it with more juicy tips and tricks in the near future. Trust me, you don't wanna miss out on the garden gossip!

Now, when it comes to dealing with those pesky little critters that seem to have a personal vendetta against our beloved plants, it's all about being prepared. And no, I'm not talking about grabbing a giant magnifying glass and chasing them around like Sherlock Holmes in your garden (although, that would make for quite the entertaining spectacle). I'm talking about arming yourself with the right weapons of defense, my friends.

Enter the glorious realm of natural pest control. Think of it as a secret weapon that Mother Nature herself has bestowed upon us. It's like having your very own superhero squad whose sole mission is to protect your precious greens from the evildoers. And trust me when I say, the bugs won't know what hit 'em!

So, let's dig into these natural solutions together. We'll




Mosquitos: Check for standing water in your yard. Always put fresh water out for the birds or animals.

Having a bonfire? Throw Sage or Rosemary in the fire to keep those buggers away!

Plant some Citronella and/or mosquito plants. Also, lemongrass, catnip, sage, lime basil, mint (careful it gets invasive), pignut, marigold (easy to gather seeds for next year for a bigger crop), lavendar, wild Lantanas, and Rosemary.


Chiggers:

The most natural way to keep Chiggers off of ya is to eat Garlic. 

You can also spray your shoes and clothes down with vinegar.

They really hate both smells!



Ants:

Cinnamon and cornmeal

Or Cornstarch and sugar

Either will work. I have done a test years ago. Ants will not walk across Cinnamon. :)




Fruit flies:

Apple cider vinegar, bowl, plastic wrap. Punch small holes in wrap.



Pest garden: video part 1 below: my very first video, so be nice my peeps. Marigolds, basil, lemon Thyme. helps keep mosquitos, flies, and fleas away. Additional plants that help is lemon grass, citronella, mosquito plant, Rosemary (which I have further in my yard.) etc. 


https://youtu.be/nO7afkujGcc


Slugs: I am working on a slug ball next week and will do the video and share.

Slugs can be beneficial but mostly they are destructive. 

Okay my peeps. I am still trying to find an adhesive that will work. Do NOT use: Hot glue, it will melt the foam, Elmers glue is NOT strong enough, Spray adhesive is NOT strong enough. I am going shopping this weekend and will pick up cement. I'll look at everything and maybe pick up a couple versions. I'm thinking a rubber cement type, but it has to be ok with extreme temps. 

UPDATE: Got it done. New mic is awesome but now I need a windsock, lmao. I sound like a robot. Sigh. Def an adventure with me. :D

4 part series. Check back for part 2.

Slug Ball

https://youtu.be/-LcU4glzPxE


YOU SHALL NOT PASS test. Will the pennies win or the Slug? Check out my trap n test video. Part 2

https://youtu.be/e9gmNnCohtE

Slug Hunting and Count- We do not catch all the slugs. They can be beneficial. I don't go near my compost pile and tonight we left Chase my GS alone. We may check it in a couple weeks. Part 3 and 4

https://youtu.be/xq7NqhrRhhY

https://youtube.com/shorts/1EKVXmJF4lM?feature=share

What fun we had! My hubby and I are so competitive! lmao. 



Aphids: Items you will need- Yellow Solo Cup, wooden stake, screw or nail, Vaseline, drill, glove. 


Yellow solo cups are hard to find in local stores. Order from Amazon above to have them delivered to your home. and if you don't have Vaseline throw that in your cart too.

My new solo cups should be here today or tomorrow. I ran out last year. I'll do a video and share it with ya'll. Got sidetracked by life and other projects but here is my new video. EASY aphid trap.

https://youtu.be/UVvkWp2CXPc


Squirrels: For one to a couple squirrels Irish Spring soap should work. Just take a bar, a small, lidded bowl, an old potato peeler. shave as much soap as you can into the bowl. Just spread the shavings at the base of any plant you are having probs with. 

But for those who have hordes of squirrels: like me! 1 acre and over 22 squirrels and 4 rabbits. Thats way too many for the size yard and they were ninja squirrels too. lol. I did my soap shavings and they laughed at it! I saw them! I knew I needed extra help. So, I went on Amazon and looked into no kill traps. With our amount of squirrels, I found the double pack.

Single Live Trap



Double Live Trap



I'll do a video this weekend and share. VERY easy and safe for both parties. Update! or 3 videos lol. getting used to this editing part. Bare with me!

part 1- setting the trap

https://youtu.be/kJWhW6OE7jc

part 2- catching Fred the squirrel

https://youtube.com/shorts/uJWdaNV1JAk?feature=share

part 3- releasing Fred the squirrel. FREEDOM!

https://youtu.be/yJMcLdSPQto

I suggest bird food. It won't draw in unnecessary other critters except rabbits and birds. If you're looking to cut down on rabbits it works for them too. Release over 3 miles away, preferably at a park with shelter, water and a food source.


Strawberry Patch: 

Video below

https://youtu.be/dh75BTvMWuI

Links to get started below: Amazon 

bins on sale for 8% off



The main differences between organic and non-organic soil are:

Garden soil organic and regular



 



Strawberry supports




Strawberry organic fertilizer



OOOOOOOOOOOOOO ya'll I'm thinking about my next two pages! I'm obsessed, lol. I am so excited about sharing this blog with ya'll. I can't wait to share everything. I can't sleep, I am dreaming about it. I wake up thinking about it, and when I say I wake up, I WAKE up a lot. Jiminy crickets ya'll. Hubby doesn't work a 9-5 job. His shift runs long and late at night. We don't go to sleep till after midnight. AND here I am waking up before 5 am thinking about the strawberry patch addition and then move on to the next two pages, LMAO. I did lay in bed till 5:45 am. Ok I got up to pee but then I laid back down till 5:45 am. So sneak peek Shhhh, Grasses, weeds, and edible weeds. also watering tricks and tips. Stay tuned and check back in cause I am literally adding new stuff and editing all day long, lol. 


Termites: They can be beneficial in the right circumstances. Def away from the house!

Borax is definitely a good one. If it is not an emergency. Example- If it is actually in walls and floors. If it is in an area that your just not comfortable with this will work great. I typically use this. 

I found an awesome article with everything that I know of naturally getting rid of these buggers. 

Subterranean Termites

Types of Termites and How to Prevent Them

Termites, those pesky little critters that can wreak havoc on our homes and wallets. But fear not, for there are ways to prevent these uninvited guests from infesting our homes. 

There are two main types of termites that we need to be aware of: drywood termites and subterranean termites. Drywood termites, as the name suggests, thrive in dry wood and are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions. Subterranean termites, on the other hand, build their nests in the soil and require moisture to survive.

Now that we know the types, let's move on to prevention. The key to preventing termites is to eliminate their access to food and water sources. Here are some steps you can take:

Dry wood Termites

1. Remove any dead or decaying wood from your property. This includes old tree stumps, fallen branches, and rotting fences or decks. Termites are attracted to wood that is already damaged or decaying.


2. Store firewood away from your home. If you have a woodpile, make sure it is at least 20 feet away from the house and elevated off the ground. This will prevent termites from easily accessing the woodpile and potentially moving on to your home.

Bait & trap

3. Ensure proper drainage around your home. Termites are attracted to moisture, so it's important to keep the area around your home dry. Make sure your gutters are clear of debris and that downspouts are properly directed away from the foundation. Fix any leaks or standing water issues promptly.

4. Seal any cracks or gaps in your home's foundation, walls, and windows. Termites can squeeze through even the tiniest of openings, so it's crucial to eliminate any potential entry points.

5. Consider installing a termite barrier or monitoring system. These systems can provide an extra layer of protection by detecting termite activity and allowing early intervention.


Salt and warm water

6. Regularly inspect your home for signs of termite activity. Look for mud tubes, discarded wings, or hollow-sounding wood. If you suspect a termite infestation, and natural is not working for you contact a professional pest control company for an inspection and treatment options. They may even have an organic pest control.

cayenne pepper


4. Diatomaceous Earth

diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth   

 Nematodes

Nematodes are microscopic organisms that are highly effective in combating termite infestations. When mixed with water and sprayed onto soil infested with termites, nematodes release a bacterium that specifically targets and devours termites. These nematodes work by reducing the damage caused by termites to wooden structures.

What makes nematodes particularly effective is that they are virtually invisible to the naked eye, making it easy to apply them without drawing attention. Once the termites are consumed, the nematodes die off. To ensure complete elimination of the termite population, it is recommended to continue spraying nematodes every morning until the targeted bacteria are eradicated.

For further information and detailed instructions on how to best utilize nematodes for termite control, please refer to the provided links. So, if you're looking for an eco-friendly and efficient solution to combat termites, consider incorporating nematodes into your pest control routine.

6. Orange oil

Orange oil

The orange oil 

Calyptus Orange Oil Concentrate | Dilutes to 16 Gallons | 85% D-Limonene Concentrated Oil | Citrus Power | Cold Pressed Orange Oil | USA Made | 1 Quart (32 Fl Oz) Just click Orange Oil above for the link.

is the most recommended in terms of prevention against termites. This means you need to drill holes for spots in which termites can attack and use them effectively.

The orange oil also works right at the beginning stage but if the termites are well-emplaced then you might want to try another method.

The toxicity of citrus oils kills termites but does not damage pets. When applied as directed it prevents.

7. Neem Oil

neem oil

Apparently, this oil indirectly works and stops termites from reproducing. It really changes the way termite hormones work.

The oil is extracted from the seeds and fruits for tree roots in Indian agriculture.

It only lasts around eight hours therefore you need to reapply every morning until the termites die.

The population will suffer a marked downward drop when the larger species die and no newer species are replacing them.

They die fast and gradually as new ones die and replace them, and you will need to apply oil every day until the termites are removed. It won't remove termite pest control problems immediately.

8. Sunlight

Free sunshine is probably one of the best treatments on how to remove termites naturally. This is important as termites like to inhabit dark places, so the natural light and heat of the sun can kill this insect very quickly.

You may use the method only if you remove the affected object and expose it to light. You only have to put this (like the furniture) outside on a sunny day. Put it securely and leave it for 2 to 3 days to get rid of the infestation.

9. Lemon & White Vinegar

Lemon & White Vinegar

This simple mix kills termites fairly rapidly. Add a half cup of puree to a spray bottle with the remaining lemon juice. It is safe to use once daily and provides a relatively quick way killing termites.

Another possibility was spraying on areas of wood at risk of termites. Repeat to avoid any additional damage to the home after using it once a day. The compound is the best organic way to get rid of flying termites.

10. Microwaves-I dont care for this method, but to each their own.

Microwaves can also help to remove this insect effectively. You should place a wooden board of 1 or 2 feet in the microwave for 15-20 min without drilling holes.

Depending on the place the availability and the costs of this method can vary. This method is likely to yield 90% success.

It can be used in a portable device you use, treatment time, and a few other aspects.

11. Aloe Vera plant

Aloe Vera plant

Home remedies sprayed with aloe vera can prevent termites from forming and killing insects. To prepare this spray, smash this plant and add it to a container with water.

After several hours of drying up spritz with a spray bottle. Add five to one part aloe to the mixture. The spray will be directly injected into the insects.

12. Electrocution

The procedure has proven effective when it comes to treating termite insects. You will need in this case electrical appliances portable.

Although drilling in a wood item is not needed it can be done at the same speed and effectiveness. Drilling holes into contaminated trees is not required, but it can be done faster and more effectively.

13. Essential Oils

Essential Oils

Essential oils like clove bud oil and vetiver oil can get rid of termites very efficiently. You can prepare the water spray by adding water and oil like you were doing with aloe.

Apply it directly at the spot where it is thought these crawlers live. Clove oil spray will aid in the treatment of carpenter ants as well.!

14. Boric acid

Boric acid

Many people are concerned about using pesticides to treat termites because they may be harmful to their families and pets. However, there is a safe and effective alternative that can help get rid of those pesky bugs without posing a risk to your loved ones.

Enter boric acid. Despite its name, boric acid does not damage the wood in your home. Instead, it works by interfering with the termites' digestion. When termites consume boric acid, they ingest acids that cannot be digested, effectively preventing them from gaining essential nutrients. This ultimately leads to the death of the termites, even in forests where they would normally find their food.

Using boric acid to combat termites is quite simple. You can either apply the acid powder directly to the infested areas or mix it with water and spray it on the affected spots. However, it is important to take necessary precautions when handling boric acid. Wear appropriate protective gear such as a mask, goggles, and gloves to shield yourself from the acid.

To effectively treat your home, it is recommended to use the boric acid periodically in vulnerable areas. It is also worth noting that using boric acid outdoors is generally considered safer than using it indoors.

By opting for boric acid, you can eliminate termites

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