Insects
and rodents in the yard or home are often just a nuisance. However, some can
damage food or possessions. Simple preventive measures stop most problems before
they begin. Even when pests do get inside your home, you don't need to use
pesticides or poisons.
Often,
simply removing their food supply and breeding sites is the most effective
control. Steps like managing garbage so that it is less attractive, cleaning up
spilled food – especially pet food – and eliminating damp conditions around the
house are other simple deterrents. The first defence is making sure pests don't
get into the house. Seal cracks, including spaces around exterior plumbing and
electrical outlets, attic vents and under doors. Use window screens. Don't leave
porch lights on all evening, as they collect insects, which are swept into the
house when the door is opened. Here are some additional tips for dealing with
specific pests:
Ants
To discourage ants, sprinkle their nest with red pepper, eggshells, bone
meal, talcum powder, wood ash, sulphur, blood meal or coffee grounds.
Carpenter Ants
Prevent an infestation of ants in your home by repairing wood
damaged by moisture, ventilating damp areas, cleaning gutters and storing
firewood on raised platforms away from the house.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches thrive in areas with moisture, food and darkness.
To trap them, place glue boards in areas that they are attracted to. Monitor
these traps and clean all areas where droppings are present with soap, water and
a disinfectant. Seal cracks or spaces larger than 1/4-inch, particularly in the
bathroom or kitchen. Cover open vents with a fine mesh screen. Eliminate all
traces of grease, dirt and clutter. Repair leaky taps and avoid any water
accumulations.
Crickets
Mix molasses and vanilla extract or lemon juice with water to
attract and drown crickets. Plug entry points.
Flour Moths and Beetles
The older food is, the more likely it is to develop an
infestation, so buy small amounts or store in the freezer. If you buy food from
open bins, seal it in plastic bags and freeze for a week before using. Dry and
bulk food should be stored in glass containers with tight lids. Dispose of
contaminated food and wash cupboards.
Slugs
Keeping
plants healthy in an organic garden involves avoidance techniques like creating
a garden environment that encourages plants to grow while discouraging pests and
diseases. Inevitably some problems will still arise unless specific action is
taken. The common slug is too common a pest to even need much of an
introduction. Slugs attack a wide range of plants, causing anything from slight
damage to death. Unfortunately, there is no foolproof method for eradicating
slugs. All one can hope for is to reduce their numbers and protect plants when
they're at a vulnerable stage. Toads, frogs, and beetles eat slugs and are worth
encouraging in your garden.
There are
few fleshy plants that slugs don't eat. But if your slug problem is particularly
bad, avoid their favorites, such as hostas and marigolds. One of the best ways
of dealing with slugs is to use physical barriers. Place plastic bottle cloches
around plants, or sprinkle circles of lime, eggshells, or sawdust around plants.
Slugs are attracted to saucers or plastic pots of milk or beer (they drown
themselves in ecstasy). To be sure you're keeping your slimy slug population
under control, collect them by hand at night or on damp days. Try collecting
them under a tile or wet cardboard, and squash all eggs you find while digging.
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