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Organic Controls
There is no reason you should spend a lot of money on fertilizers, weed killers and insect control products at the store. Most of the time they are made with dangerous, synthetic chemicals that we shouldn’t put in the house or ground, anyway.
Below are a few recipes for organic controls that use ingredients you probably already have in your cupboards.
Solarizing the Soil
Supplies:
• Shovel
• Clear plastic, enough to cover the desired area
• Rocks
Instructions:
Till the soil, then water deeply. Cover the area with clear plastic; place rocks atop plastic to hold it in place. Leave plastic covering on for two to four weeks.
Note: This method is best for getting rid of weeds and diseases in new and existing gardens.
Gin Weed Control
Supplies:
• 1 oz. gin
• 1 oz. apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. baby shampoo
• 1 quart water
• Pump spray bottle
Instructions:
Mix ingredients together; pour into a spray bottle. On hot summer days, spray mixture on foliage. Repeat as necessary.
Alcohol Weed Control
Supplies:
• 1 quart water
• 1 to 5 Tbsp. of rubbing alcohol
• Pump spray bottle
Instructions:
Mix ingredients together; pour into a spray bottle. On hot summer days, spray mixture on foliage. Repeat as necessary.
Outdoor Ant Control
Supplies:
• 1 to 2 gallons water
• Stove or barbeque grill
Instructions:
Heat water to 160 to 170 degrees. Quietly sneak up to the mounds of ants and pour the boiling water down the hole.
Note: I normally try to do this between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Indoor Ant Control
Supplies:
• 1 Tbsp. boric acid
• 1 Tbsp. mint jelly
• 1 cracker
• Small cardboard box
Instructions:
Mix the boric acid and mint jelly; spread mixture on a cracker. Punch pinholes in a cardboard box; place cracker inside. Place box in an area where ants cause problems, but away from children and pets.
Note: The mint jelly lures the ants in and the boric acid kills them.
Indoor and Outdoor Ant Control
Supplies:
Instructions:
Dust food-grade diatomaceous earth along the ants’ pathways.
Note: The white powder will cut through their exoskeleton and they will dehydrate and die.
Indoor and Outdoor Ant Control
Supplies:
• 1/2 cup Cream of Wheat
Instructions:
Place a dish of Cream of Wheat where the ants can access it.
Note: After they eat it, the cereal expands and the ants will explode.
Cockroach Bait
Supplies:
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup boric acid
Instructions:
Place sugar and boric acid in a mason jar lid. Place lid in areas away from pets and children.
Note: The roach is attracted to the sugar and the boric acid kills him.
Ornamental Shurb and Plant Fertilizer #1
Supplies:
• 1 Tbsp. epsom salt
• 1 gallon water
Instructions:
Combine ingredients, then spread on the soil.
Ornamental Shrub and Plant Fertilizer #2
Supplies:
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 gallon water
Instructions:
Combine ingredients. Pour mixture around ornamental plants in your yard.
Note: Everything gains advantages from the low pH and trace elements. This mixture also helps fight whiteflies and thrip problems.
Coffee Ground Pick-me-up
Supplies:
• 1 cup coffee grounds
• 2 cups water
Instructions:
Spread coffee grounds on a newspaper to dry. Apply dried coffee grounds to the ground around your plants. Alternatively, mix coffee grounds with water and spread on desired area.
