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Marigolds are bright orange and yellow flowers native to Mexico. They are a hardy species of annual flowering plant that can survive hot, dry summers and bloom all summer long. Marigolds have a peculiar, pungent aroma that is considered by some to be unpleasant. Their scent is believed to deter dogs and cats from getting into flower gardens, where they like to dig in the dirt or lie on the flowers and use them as a bed.
According to the Colorado State University Extension, weeping fig is one of the most commonly grown indoor decorative trees. They are known for their diverse range of colors and attractive form. Like all plants, however, weeping figs are not immune from a wide array of insect pests that could threaten the long-term health of the plants. Controlling these pests before they can harm your weeping fig begins with identifying the pest species and designing a control method accordingly.
Maize was one of the most important foods grown by indigenous peoples in North America. The food is often called corn but is actually a grass in the same family as wheat, oats, barley and other grains. Maize accounted for 24 percent of U.S. crops in 1999. As an economic crop, the control of insect pests is crucial to maximizing yield. Maize has many insect pests, which can chew the foliage, damage the seed corn and the ear kernels, or even eat the roots of the plants and kill them. Even moderate damage can diminish the yield. Plant extracts, such…
Camellias are evergreen shrubs or small trees highly prized for their white, pink and red flowers. Camellias can grow to 20 feet tall, with most species growing 6 to 12 feet. Camellias are used in landscapes as specimen shrubs, for borders and as natural screens. Insect problems associated with camellias include multiple species of scale and weevils.
Achieving some dreams can be complicated, as any successful dreamer can attest. Although model trains circle the tracks and the real ones go from Point A to Point B, controller systems can easily become a model project in itself. From the original vision down to the final wires in the tracks, hobbyists must consider the complexity and practicality of any train control system. After all, trains do what their controllers and conductors tell them. Building a train controller system is as much as hobby as running the train itself.
Voles, or meadow mice, are small brownish rodents that feed on landscape plants and vegetable gardens. They also chew the bark of fruit trees at or just under the ground, an activity that can eventually kill the tree. Their populations can increase rapidly, which may result in substantial damage to gardens and trees. While total elimination may not be achievable, there are several do-it-yourself things the gardener can do to control the problem.
Many people cringe when they see insects, spiders and other unwanted bugs in their home. Due to the temperate climate in Florida, many of these creatures tend to seek relief by entering into houses. Household spiders in particular, enter the home through various nooks and crannies. There are pest control measures that Floridians can take to keep those unwanted household spiders out.
Sunflowers are one of nature's fastest growing plants, able to reach heights of 8 to 12 feet in six months. Unlike many flowers, sunflowers are also an important food source and their seeds can be eaten or pressed for oil while the hulls are rendered into feed for livestock. With the right soil preparation and care, sunflowers can be grown a home garden in just a few months.
You can avoid filling your lawn and garden with chemicals that are bad for humans, pets and the environment. You can protect your plants from various creatures that want to eat them by spraying them with a homemade concoction made up of garlic and water. It will deter insect predators and leave your plants healthy and safe. Use garden sprays of any kind in moderation and only when needed to minimize their impact on beneficial insects.
In addition to smelling awful, commercial roach sprays are full of harsh chemicals that can be hazardous to your health. Rather than taking the risk by using one of those sprays, eliminate roaches using a natural method --- eucalyptus. Roaches dislike eucalyptus more than they like the environment inside your home. Eucalyptus leaves and oil also repel other pests.
Sunflowers are not bad for the soil in which they grow. In fact, in most cases these bright and beautiful flowers actually return the macronutrients they take from the soil. Sunflowers also reduce pest problems such as corn borer and soybean cyst nematoid, and they may help clean up soil that's been contaminated by exposure to nuclear power leaks.
Roaches are thought of as disgusting, dirty pests that carry diseases that can harm humans. Roaches are also tough to control once they invade a space. One way to rid your dwelling of roaches is to use certain plants as weapons to deter the critters.
Japanese beetles are easy to spot in a garden. They are metallic-green with copper-colored wings and are about 1/2-inch long. Japanese beetles can cause extensive damage to plants, chewing on leaves and blossoms.The beetles emerge from the ground during early June and are active up to August. They need to be controlled to protect your garden.
Roaches are attracted to the smell of food, and will work their way into homes to find any traces of food. Once they hone in on a food source, they will invade the area. Cleaning and removing the food sources can help deter the pests. However, if they are still present even after cleaning consider using natural roach repellents. Many of the natural ingredients keep the roaches away without exposing any pets or family members to chemicals.
Insect pests are annoying both inside and out. Biting insects like mosquitoes, fleas and ants, and plant pests like aphids are persistent and numerous. Small infestations can rapidly grow to become a serious problem. Chemicals work to kill many types of pests, but they can be toxic, and aren't ideal to use indoors or on children. Homemade natural repellents and insecticides are nontoxic and safe.
Sunflowers are large flowers with colors ranging from yellow to rust. There are both annual and perennial varieties. All require regular water and large species require rich, moist soil. Sunflowers are native to the United States and, according to North Dakota State University, a number of pests that once fed on native plants now feed on cultivated varieties.
Sunflowers are common garden plants and produce seeds that can be eaten. The banded sunflower moth is among the many insects that feed on sunflowers. As an adult, the moth does not damage sunflowers. In its immature larval form, however, it feeds on sunflower florets and seeds. Banded sunflower moth larvae are small, off-white worms found in the heads of affected sunflowers.
The biggest threat to sunflowers in the home garden is birds, who love the seeds and may damage the flowers with their scavenging. Common insect pests include aphids and other leaf sucking insects, as well as flea beetles, sunflower beetles and thistle caterpillars. Most of these pests can be controlled with insecticidal soaps, biological controls or through the introduction of predatory insects.
Some types of insects do not like hot sauce. It can either repel them or kill them when you mix it into a spray for your plants. According to Cornell University, one commercial spray made with capsaicin is effective in controlling the various species of flea beetles, moths and butterflies that produce harmful larvae. Using fresh hot peppers or powdered cayenne pepper are other options that you can try to get rid of soft-bodied insects such as aphids and mealy bugs.
Discovering a cockroach infestation in your home can be traumatic, but with careful attention you can successfully exterminate the insects using readily available insecticides. Reinfestation can be discouraged by removing all sources of food and keeping food preparation areas scrupulously clean.
Insecticides contain chemicals that can be harmful to humans, animals and plants, but there is a natural alternative. Vinegar, an organic replacement to toxic commercial insecticides, is safe to use in and around the house and is not toxic to humans or animals. A vinegar solution in a spray bottle makes a handy insect repellent to have on hand and, although the scent of vinegar is rather strong, you do not have to worry about toxic fumes.
Though sunflowers bring larger-than-life warmth to the garden with their big blossoms perched atop tall green stalks, their visual interest does not save them from occasional problems with pests. While sunflowers attract some friendly bugs like butterflies into the home garden, they are also favorites to sucking and tunneling bugs that can result in severe damage or plant death. Examine your plants often to stop problems early.
Determining whether you have a rodent digging around in your backyard is relatively easy. However, discovering whether the animal is a mole or a gopher takes some skill. By observing mounds of dirt and possible tunnel patterns in your yard, you will be able to figure out what is causing all the mess. Moles often search for a new place to live in the spring and summer when the pups are looking for their own home.
Aphids affect many cultivated plants, indoors or out. Colonies of tiny, green, yellow, pink or black insects cluster on soft stems, new leaves, budding flowers and young shoots, sucking sap from the host plant's tissues. This loss of vital fluid leads to curled leaves, stunted growth and an overall decline in plant health. There are a number of ways to control these pests with everyday household items.
Organic pest control uses naturally occurring substances and organisms instead of chemicals to reduce pest populations and the damage they cause within the garden. Depending on the particular pests affecting your garden, you can select from a range of organic pesticides, each with distinctive properties, or you can adopt alternative and preventative means of controlling pest problems. For example, companion planting techniques can keep insect pests far away from the plants they love.
If you don't want to use harsh chemicals to get rid of pests in your yard, making an organic pest control spray may be the solution. Make a solution that uses onion, garlic and pepper: three items that are harmless to most plants but irritate pests. This solution can still hurt some plants, though, so test it on a few leaves before spraying the whole plant.
Birches (Betula spp.) are ornamental landscape trees widely grown for their attractive bark, delicate leaves and graceful forms. Birches, however, come with a price. They need ongoing protection from some minor to deadly pests.
Synthetic insecticides kill insects; however, these pesticide-based products pose health risks to humans. According to the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, plant-based products are just as effective at killing insects and are less hazardous. Prior to the 1950s, botanical insecticides were widely used to control infestations. Plant-based solutions are still effective and work best when put directly on the pest, placed in your yard or around the home where the insect pests linger.
Ants are unsightly, make a kitchen look unhygienic and have the rather revolting tendency to end up in food. If you don't want crunchy little additions to your meals but wish to avoid the use of dangerous insecticides then try one of the many homemade ant remedies. To kill the ants, the most effective thing to do is give them a poison they will take back to their nests and share with the entire colony. There is no point only killing the ants you see -- there will be many more back at home base.
Mole and gophers are common across North America and their habits often cause unwanted damage to lawns and gardens. Mole and gopher activity causes damage to the root systems of landscape plants and trees and creates unsightly holes and ridges in the landscape. Timely identification and action is the key to effectively removing moles and gophers from your property. While many home remedies are said to exist, only a few are effective in removing moles and gophers.
Controlling outdoor insects in gardens, on lawns and flying everywhere is a challenge. Stores of all types sell pest control liquids, powders and sprays, but homemade works just as well at a fraction of the cost. Homemade pest control solutions ensure safer ingredients without harsh and harmful chemicals. Find many effective pest control alternatives in pantries, kitchens and gardens.
Killing grubs, or larval beetles, improves the appearance of a lawn. Grubs eat the roots of grass, causing the grass to die in brown, patchy areas and eventually ruining the appearance of a lawn. There are natural ways to kill grubs so that they will no longer destroy the grass and the lawn can thrive.
Pocket gophers are cute, but boy can they tear up a lawn. If poisoning techniques seem inhumane or you don't like the idea of turning your lawn into a gopher cemetery, control the gophers instead using gopher repellents. A variety of everyday ingredients will deter gophers without causing harm to them or the environment.
Anybody with a garden will tell you of the number of pests they have to deal with. While pesticides may help in getting rid of these critters, they often result in damage to the plant or the environment. Instead, you can use less harmful organic pesticides made from ingredients readily available at home. Tea and dishwashing liquid are two everyday household materials, and combined with a few other ingredients, they make a very effective pesticide.
Controlling fleas in your home does not have to mean using chemicals that are potentially dangerous. In fact, in many cases natural flea control is just as effective. With proper planning and implementation homemade flea control is also easy and cost effective. From cleaning techniques to home remedies, learning more about natural methods of flea control can really change the way you manage these little pests.
A member of the cabbage family, collard greens is a favorite among gardeners in the American South (collards are a staple of traditional Southern cuisine). Like almost all garden vegetables, collard greens attract insects, including such destructive pests as flea beetles and aphids. But there are all-natural solutions you can make in your own kitchen to control or even eradicate the bugs.
Aphids, also called "plant lice," infect a variety of different plants. These tiny insects rarely exceed 1/8th inch long and may be yellow, green or black. Aphids can wreak immense damage on plants, particularly when large colonies manage to form. They suck the juices from the plant, leaving it nutrient-deficient and dehydrated. They can even transmit plant viruses, which may in fact be more dangerous than the actual physical damage they inflict.
Both experienced and mature gardeners know about pests. Among the most common pests are aphids. These tiny green insects attack plants by munching on the green parts so that the plants cannot feed themselves and die. Since aphids are so small, it's nearly impossible to pick them from the plants and kill them that way. Pesticides have chemicals that may harm your plants. By making your own sprays, you can avoid both chemicals and expense.
Spider mites are among the most serious pests commonly found feeding on garden and house plants. A small number of mites is no reason for concern, but large populations can harm your plants. Spider mite plant damage initially appears as light dots on the leaves, often turning the leaves bronze. As the feeding continues, the leaves turn brown and drop off. Make your own effective homemade insecticide to kill spider mites, and avoid the strong chemicals contained in commercially-prepared pesticides.
Spiders are among the many insects that like to make their homes in houses, finding dark corners to hide in and scurrying around at their leisure. Spiders can be tricky to control in and around the home, but there are options, aside from hiring a professional, to take care of the problem.
Using safe, non-toxic means to control household and garden pests gives many homeowners and organic gardeners peace of mind. The fear that commercial pesticides may be harsh to family and pets, as well as toxic to beneficial insects, makes the idea of homemade pest control sprays appealing to many. Unlike chemical pesticides, homemade pest control recipes use familiar household ingredients, such as mint, soap and cayenne pepper, that are non-toxic to humans. They are also easy to make and often less expensive than commercial products.
Sunflowers are tall annuals with bright yellow flowers that resemble large daisies. They are hardy plants that are easy to grow and maintain in all sorts of soil conditions as long as they are regularly watered and placed in full sun. The plants grow easily from seeds that need to be planted in later spring or early summer. The plant flowers through the summer and even autumn. Sunflowers are usually not affected by diseases and insects. However, a number of homemade remedies can be tried to take care of pests on sunflowers.
Pest control in organic gardens can be difficult, as you do not want to use any chemicals that will harm the plants. While you can fence an organic garden to keep out deer and other animals, this does not deter the bugs and critters that can defoliate and devour and entire garden in a day or two. To combat these insect pests, whip up a homemade pest control that is safe for organic gardens.
Raccoons can be a problem almost anywhere in the United States. They are notorious for scavenging through gardens, trash cans and even kitchens if they find a way inside a house. Raccoons are clever animals, so setting out traps doesn't always do the trick. Your best option for controlling a raccoon problem is to make your property less appealing to them.
Stinkbugs not only are annoying because of their odor, they are also destructive to many vegetable plants, and they cause allergic reactions in some people. They especially favor tomato plants but also severely damage other leafy vegetable plants like cabbage. You don't want them in your house, and you definitely do not want to step on one. The odor is pungent and lasting. Chemical bug sprays are definitely effective on stinkbugs. However these sprays leave residues on vegetables and harm the environment; natural means are more desirable. There are ways to get rid of stinkbugs without using chemicals.
Aphids are a major pest that are known for infesting a garden and feeding off plants. These pests are rather small and can come in many shades, including red, brown, yellow, green and black. Aphids feed on--and eventually destroy--plants by piercing their leaves and petals and sucking out their juices.
Gardens, whether planted with flowers or vegetables, often end up with pests. Fighting these pests doesn't have to be as tedious as it may seem. It's actually very easy, no matter which method you choose.
Japanese beetles are a serious pest in America. Though they have many natural enemies in Japan, they don't have the same kind of balance here, and they are capable of great crop destruction. What's more, they leave hormones on plants they've visited, which attracts even more Japanese beetles. Fortunately, there are many effective homemade Japanese beetle remedies.
Plant rust is a common fungus that plagues home gardens and major crops around the world. While there are a number of chemical solutions available to treat plant rust, many gardeners prefer instead to use a more natural approach with the household items they are likely to have at hand.
A roach infestation in the home is disgusting and sometimes tough to get rid of. These pests can bring disease and bacteria into the home and be an embarrassment if they decide to show up at your social gathering. Hiring a professional exterminator is probably the best way to rid your home of a large infestation, but there are some easy homemade remedies for controlling and preventing roaches from becoming a nuisance.
Because children and pets are instinctively curious, commercial chemical pest control products can be dangerous. Homemade, organic pest control products could be the answer. Many items found in your kitchen naturally repel insects, rabbits and even mold and mildew. These homemade concoctions can keep your home pest-free and your children and pets safe.
