What is a Scorpion?

Relatives to the spider, mite and tick, the scorpion is an eight-legged invertebrate with an extended body and menacing-looking segmented tail that ends with a stinger (called a telson). Around the world, there are about 1,300 species of scorpions, but there are only about 90 different species that live in the United States – mostly dwelling in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

Scorpions are skillful at adapting to a variety of environments, including mountain-dotted pine forests and damp caves. In the Andes Mountains, scorpions have been found living at elevations of more than 12,000 feet [1]. Only one species in the U.S. possesses potent enough venom that causes severe symptoms and at times, death. It is called the bark scorpion and it mainly lives in the Southwest desert.

The scorpion is a nocturnal creature that stays hidden during the day. Some species like to conceal their whereabouts by hiding under rocks, cracks, logs, or in burrows that they dig.

Symptoms of Scorpion Stings

Scorpions use their venom to restrain prey, during their mating rituals, and as a defense. The potency of venom varies according to species. The majority of scorpion stings in the United States lead to minor symptoms. A victim may experience pain and warmth at the site of the sting.

However, a sting from the bark scorpion is more toxic and can kill children. This sting causes intense pain, numbness, tingling sensations, muscle twitching, odd head movements, drooling, sweating, and restlessness in children. Adults often have difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, muscle twitching, and high blood pressure [2].

Scorpion Sting Home Remedies

Even if you are able to treat scorpion stings at home, it is a good idea to call a poison control line or your doctor. Since scorpion stings are puncture wounds, you may also need a tetanus shot. Some home remedies for scorpion stings to consider include:

a) Ice:

Ice the site of a scorpion sting to combat pain and inflammation.

b) Soap and Water:

To prevent bacteria and cleanse the wound site, wash with soap and water.

c) Cold Compress:

Apply a cold compress to affected skin as a way to calm pain and slow the spread of the scorpion’s venom. This home remedy provides the best results during the first two hours of suffering a sting.

d) Stay Calm:

You can actually slow the spread of scorpion venom by staying calm and quiet.

e) Ammonia:

If a scorpion stings you on your hand, some people have immersed their hand in a container of regular ammonia.

f) Baking Soda:

Add water to baking soda until you can create a paste, which is then applied to the site of a scorpion sting until the painful sensations have subsided.

g) Mango Leaf:

If you happen to live where a mango plant is close by, you can use the juice from a leaf as a way to treat a scorpion sting. Some people also consume the mango juice as a way to combat pain.

h) Meat Tenderizer:

Some poison control centers have told callers to use meat tenderizer (the kind that contains papaya extract) as a way to calm the pain of a scorpion sting. Add a small amount of water to the tenderizer to create a paste and immediately apply to a sting site. Papaya extract breaks down the proteins found in the venom. This remedy also works for bee and wasp stings.

i) Cortisone Cream:

Put the cortisone cream in your bathroom cabinet to work by applying it to the site of a scorpion sting.

j) Avoid Eating or Drinking:

Sometimes, a scorpion sting will cause your throat to swell – making it difficult to swallow. Because of this, do not eat or drink anything until symptoms lessen.

Resources

[1] http://www.desertusa.com/oct96/du_scorpion.html
[2] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/scorpion-stings/DS01113/DSECTION=symptoms

Background on Hornets

From the tropical regions of Asia to backyards across the United States, there are about 20 different species of hornets in the world. Hornets belong in the wasp family and the genus Vespa [1]. To identify a hornet, zero in on the vertex – the part of the head located behind the eyes. Hornets possess a larger vertex than other flying insects. Hornets also do not possess any ‘hairy’ characteristics like the bee, and are usually slightly larger in size.

Getting Rid of Hornets

If you have detected a hornet’s nest in or around your home, it is in your best interest to remove it. Nests are grayish in color and look like they are made out of paper. Typical nesting spots for hornets include under the eaves of a roof, in attics, inside abandoned grills, and in the cracks of patio doors. Timing is everything when removing a hornet’s nest. Choose late autumn or winter when the majority of the hornets have died.

If you are interested in spraying a hornet’s nest, nighttime is the safest time of the day to execute your plans. When getting rid of hornets, wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves tucked inside of gloves. Tuck long pants inside of socks. Wear a hat with a wide brim with a nylon stocking over it that is tucked inside the neckline of your shirt.

Hornet Home Remedies

To prevent hornet stings from occurring in the first place, it’s important to use caution if you have come across a nest. Do not disturb the nest, make loud noises, break the nest, or poke it with a stick. Also, never kill a hornet near its nest. In the event that you are stung, consider the following home remedies for hornet stings:

a) Ice:

Soothe the discomfort of a hornet sting by applying an ice pack to affected skin.

b) Bleach:

Cautiously, apply a cotton ball soaked in bleach to the site of a hornet sting. Make sure you do not come in contact with your eyes, mouth or clothing when applying this home remedy for hornet stings.

c) Aspirin:

Moisten the site of a hornet sting and then rub an aspirin tablet to neutralize some of the inflammatory reaction your body is having to the insect’s toxins.

d) Tea Bag:

Soothe insect stings with a tea bag that has been moistened with warm water. Leave the remedy on affected skin for about one minute.

e) Rhubarb:

Treat hornet sting symptoms by rubbing a rhubarb leaf across affected skin.

f) Lemon Juice:

To cease the stinging sensation, use the acid found in lemon juice to neutralize the alkali characteristics of a hornet sting.

g) Baking Soda:

To treat swelling and soothe the discomfort of a hornet sting, create a thick paste comprised of baking soda and water. Leave the remedy on the sting for about five minutes to enjoy quick relief.

h) Vinegar:

Treat the pain of a hornet sting with vinegar, which contains acid that fights the irritating components left behind after an attack.

i) Clove of Garlic:

Rub the juice of one clove of garlic into a hornet sting.

j) Turpentine:

When outside, keep a jar of turpentine around, which helps repel insects that sting.

k) Onion:

Place a fresh slice of onion over a hornet sting to encourage the swelling to subside.

l) Smokeless Tobacco:

Place smokeless tobacco on the skin and cover with a paper towel to ease the pain of a hornet sting.

m) Ammonia:

Household ammonia dabbed on a sting works to treat pain, which is what is added to commercial remedies, such as After Bite.

n) Hair Dryer:

To neutralize the chemicals found in an insect sting that are responsible for inflammation, use the heat of a hair dryer.

o) Toothpaste:

Some people have spread non-gel toothpaste on stings to ease symptoms.

p) Increase Your Zinc:

Insects are actually attracted to people who are deficient in zinc.Year round, consume or take a supplement that contains at least 60 milligrams of zinc to avoid hornet stings.

Resources

[1] http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/hornet/

Background on Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are made up of three basic body parts and use a collection of sensors to track their next meal. Only female adult mosquitoes have mouthparts for biting, which are needed for egg production [1]. The head is where you’ll find all of their sensors and their mouthparts. Equipped with heat sensors, mosquitoes can detect heat, which makes it easy to locate warm-blooded mammals and birds. The mosquito has two compound eyes and antennae that sense chemicals on their head. The thorax accommodates two wings and six legs attached. Inside, the flight muscles, compound heart, and some nerve cells are found. The abdomen also houses the digestive and excretory organs.

Mosquito Home Remedies

Home remedies for mosquitoes certainly come in handy if you plan on enjoying the outdoors – especially during the summertime. To keep these pesky creatures from ruining your sun-kissed skin, consider the following home remedies for mosquitoes:

a) Beer:

To repel mosquitoes, spray a mixture consisting of equal amounts of flat beer, antiseptic mouthwash, and Epsom salt on grass, weeds, and around bushes. 



b) Fabric Softener Sheets:

If you’re looking to rid of mosquitoes from your personal outdoor spaces, some people have found success by wiping down their arms, legs, and other exposed body parts with a dry fabric softener sheet. Keep a freshener sheet in your pocket for continued protection. 



c) Garden Repellents:

Plant marigolds, scented geraniums, catnip, citrosa plants, and rosemary in your garden to repel mosquitoes. The plants actually give off an odor that keeps mosquitoes at a distance. You may also position these plants around your house for added results.

d) Potted Plants and Herbs:

There are plants and herbs that have the power to repel mosquitoes. For example, you can plant basil, lavender, lemon thyme, citronella grass, chamomile, and citriodora in pots and situate around your most frequented outdoor spaces.

e) Thai Lemon Grass:

Plant Thai lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) in your garden to grow a natural insect repellent that carries the same effects as citronella. Rub one of the long, grassy leaves or pieces of the stalk on your skin after creating a fibrous juicy pulp. This home remedy for repelling mosquitoes is said to last for four to five hours. Some feel that lemon grass works better than repellents made from the infamous citronella plant.

f) Remove Stagnant Water:

Eliminate potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes by clearing your yard of old tires, small planter pots, kiddie pools, and anything else that can collect water. After a heavy rain, inspect your outdoor spaces to find places that have filled with water. 
 


g) Pure Vanilla Extract:

Fight off mosquitoes by applying pure vanilla extract to your pulse points, as the insects do not like the scent.

h) Fan:

When enjoying the evening air on your outdoor deck or patio, create an uninviting space for mosquitoes by turning on a fan, which makes it harder for the pests to land and bite.


Resources

[1] http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20040811/Feature1.asp

What is an Aphid?

An aphid (or plant louse) is a tiny insect that wreaks havoc on vegetation. Shaped like a pear with a typically green, soft body, most aphids measure a little under ¼ inch or 6 millimeters long [1]. Some aphids are wingless, while others display two pairs of transparent or colored wings. The pests attack flowers, plants, vegetable gardens, and crops using a beak that they insert into the leaves, stems and roots of plants. They have a main objective to suck out the juices of plants.

There are nearly 4,000 different species of aphid in the world. For example, the most common aphid species to attack greenhouse crops include the melon/cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii), the chrysanthemum aphid (Macrosiphoniella sanborni), the rose aphid (Macrosiphum rosae), the potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) and the highly difficult-to-control green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) [2]. Oftentimes, aphids gather in large colonies.

Signs of an Aphid Infestation

Aphids are difficult to control because the females of many species don’t even have to mate in order to reproduce. It is not uncommon for aphids to create live young rather than lay eggs. This characteristic of the pest enables it to maintain ever-growing populations. Signs of an aphid infestation include:

• Honeydew or sooty mold on leaves
• Yellow spots on the surfaces of upper leaves
• Cast skins on leaves
• Leaves that curl
• Distorted new growth

Aphid Home Remedies

It is important to get ahead of aphids in your yard because an infestation can quickly spiral out of control. Using home remedies for aphids will allow you to not only protect the environment, but to also protect the bugs that are beneficial to your garden and flowers. A couple of organic aphid control measures include:

a) Banana Peels:

Mulch banana peels into the ground at the base of your plants to add strength and get rid of aphids.

b) Mineral Oil and Dish Soap:

Create a homemade remedy for aphid control by combining one cup vegetable or white mineral oil, 1 ½ cups water, and two teaspoons of dish soap (or Murphy’s soap). The mix will suffocate the aphids. Keep in mind that using this oil-based solution for plants situated in direct sunlight will cause plants to burn.

c) Attract Aphid Predators:

Call for reinforcements when battling aphids in your garden. Lacewings and ladybugs are just some of the predators that feast upon aphids. Attract your allies by planting mint, fennel, dill, yarrow, and clover in or by your garden.

d) Aphid Lures:

Some people with a heavy aphid infestation have lured aphids away from greenery they wish to protect by placing plants that attract aphids at a distance in their yard. Plants that act as an aphid lure include hollyhocks, verbena, dahlias, larkspur, tuberous begonias, nasturtiums, asters, mums, cosmos, and zinnias.

e) Garlic or Onion Plants:

Drive away aphids from infested plants by putting garlic or onion plants nearby. Aphids aren’t particularly fond of the scent and tend to flee.

f) Garden Hose:

A strong spray of water will knock off aphids attacking your plants. It is usually necessary to spray plants on a daily basis before seeing results.

g) White Piece of Paper:

To pinpoint an aphid problem, hold plants with fine foliage over a sheet of white paper and gently tap to dislodge any pests.

h) Frequent Checks:

It is important to catch an aphid infestation in its early stages, as just one pest can lead to up to 80 offspring in as little as one week. On a weekly basis, check the underside of leaves and before transplanting new plants into a garden, make sure the leaves are not harboring any unwanted pests.

i) Garlic and Vegetable Oil:

The pungent smell of garlic mixed with vegetable oil (such as canola oil) can drive away aphids. The slipperiness of the oil will prevent aphids from climbing on a plant and if the aphids are lucky enough to feed, their breathing tubes become clogged as the oil creates a suffocating experience.

You can also make a garlic oil spray prepared with 10 to 15 cloves of minced garlic, two teaspoons of mineral oil, one teaspoon of liquid dish soap, and 600 milliliters of water. Soak the garlic in mineral oil for 24 hours. Strain the garlic cloves and add the water and dish soap to the oil. Thoroughly mix ingredients in a container and spray plants with the solution to combat aphids.



j) Avoid Overfertilization:

The new growth of plants that have been overly fertilized will attract aphids. Use slow release fertilizers to prevent an aphid infestation. To increase the level of resistance against the pests, grow plants indoors or under a protective cover until they are large enough to tolerate aphids on their own.

k) Pruning Shears or Scissors:

Sometimes, you must spare certain sections of plants to control an aphid infestation. Save plants by using pruning shears or scissors to snip off or cut away heavy infestations.

Resources

[1] The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition; 2008
[2] Lindquist, Richard. 1991. A guide to aphid control. GrowerTalks. October. pg 75.

Main Threats to Roses

When growing roses, you’ll face insect pests and plant diseases that attack the stem, leaves and flowers. A couple of main threats to roses include:

• Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles are easy to pinpoint. They have metallic green and copper brown bodies and like to feast upon trees, shrubs and roses, as they are attracted to the tender cane growth and leaves. Sometimes, your best course of action is to physically remove beetles and make it harder for the insects to reach plants. Watch for Japanese beetles from late June to early October.

• Aphids: Forming colonies that suck the vital juices from roses, aphids are green or brown insects known to wreak havoc on your plants.

• Black Spot: Causing dark spots to appear on your foliage, black spot is a fungal disease that best responds to aggressive pruning. Toss away clippings and make sure to avoid watering from overhead.

• Canker: In spring, prune all signs of canker, which causes black or brown discoloration on rose canes that eventually leads to dead roses.

Rose Growing Home Remedies

If you’re looking to grow the best roses in the neighborhood, you must keep your plants free of insects and fungal invasions. It’s OK to forego chemical solutions and consider the following home remedies for roses:

a) Vegetable Oil:

A mixture of one cup of vegetable oil and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid can create a home remedy to get rid of aphids on roses. Take one tablespoon of this solution and add to one cup of water to make a formula for treating roses suffering an aphid attack.

b) Bucket and Soapy Water:

Sometimes, it’s necessary to control a Japanese beetle problem by manually removing the insects from your rose plants. In the morning, the beetles are slow to respond or move – this is the best time to remove the pests from your plants. Use a stick or ruler to knock the insects into a bucket or jar filled with soapy water. Quick removal of the beetles will lessen the numbers that usually come when they are attracted to congregating pests.

c) Cheese Cloth:

Create a net covering for your roses as protection against Japanese beetles. Cheese cloth offers a decent solution for smaller rose bushes. Tie a stretch of cheese cloth around the lower truck of your bush to physically prevent beetles from reaching your roses. Remove the net cover from your bushes in late summer or fall – when beetle populations are no longer a threat.

d) Water Hose:

Use your garden hose to dislodge and temporarily disrupt a swarm of Japanese beetles from your plants. These kinds of bugs do not like to get wet. You can also interrupt the life cycle of a spider mite by spraying the underside of leaves every two to three days with your water hose. [1].

e) Soapy Water:

Combat an aphid infestation by spraying the garden pests with soapy water.

f) Aggressive Pruning:

It’s important to prune rose plants after the first signs of disease. Prune out and destroy damaged parts of rose plants affected by the midge – a small maggot that bores into roses and causes buds to turn black. Clip away leaves with black spots. Prune any rose canes that show black or brown discoloration – a sign of the fungal disease called canker. Remove the canes below infected foliage as well.

g) Baking Soda:

Save money on rose garden maintenance by controlling powdery mildew on plants with baking soda. Not only does this home remedy act as a natural fungicide, but it also works to prevent further destruction. Create a treatment by mixing one tablespoon of baking soda, ½ teaspoon of liquid soap, and one gallon of water.

h) Attract Ladybugs:

Roses benefit from the presence of ladybugs, which eat aphids. If you position certain kinds of plants close to your roses, you can attract these natural garden protectors. Herbs, such as cilantro, dill or fennel, are suggested. Geraniums, coreopsis, tansy, wild carrot, and white cosmos also attract ladybugs to a garden.

i) Listerine [2]:

Combine one cup of the infamous mouthwash, Listerine, and one cup of water to create a spray mixture that makes rose plants undesirable to aphids.

j) Rubbing Alcohol:

Treat affected leaves plagued by spider mites with applying rubbing alcohol.

k) Aspirin [3]:

According to the Pacific Southwest District of the American Rose Society, the salicylic acid found in aspirin works as a defense against insects and diseases. Dissolve three aspirin tablets in a bucket containing four gallons of water. Spray the tops and bottoms of rose foliage with the mixture, which actually activates salicylic acid already found in the plant.

l) Garlic:

Try controlling an aphid infestation by spraying your rose leaves with a solution comprised of crushed garlic cloves and water.

m) Plant Marigolds:

Planting marigolds close to your roses will help protect against nematodes – tiny, eel-like roundworms.

n) White Glue:

If your roses have suffered a couple of knicks after pruning, use white glue (like Elmer’s glue) as a quick repair. Large cuts left ignored can lead to attacks from harmful insects or provide a gateway for disease.

o) Tape:

Need a quick and easy way to remove pests from your rose leaves? Wrap adhesive tape (with the sticky side out) around your hand.

Resources

[1] http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/roses/disease-insect.html
[2] http://www.rosemagazine.com/pages/pests.asp
[3] http://www.pswdistrict.org/text/articles/abcremedies.html

Common Garden Threats

From fungus and mildew to furry pests, gardens must survive the attack of several different kinds of insects and plant diseases. Some of the most common threats to a garden include:

Insect threats for gardens include Japanese beetles that attack between late June to early October. These 1/2-inch long, metallic green and copper brown bugs attack trees, shrubs, and the flowers, buds and leaves of roses. Spider mites often appear during dry, hot weather, sucking the sap out of leaves. When left untreated, the leaves turn yellow and eventually curl up and fall off.

Weevils are dark, oval-shaped insects with a blunt-looking snout and elbowed antennae. Crawling up plants, the weevil feeds at night and can cause extensive damage in a garden because they attack plant roots. Weevils target young plants that are vulnerable to their destruction and have more than 200 plant species on their dinner list, including azaleas, rhododendrons, and yew. Sucking vital juices from roses and other garden plants, aphids are green or brown in color, and are known for forming colonies.

Fungal diseases threatening gardens include the water-borne disease called black spot (which causes dark spots on foliage under humid weather conditions), canker (brings black or brown discoloration), downy mildew (appears in cooler, wet weather causing purple spots with yellow edges), and rust (small orange spots that collect on the undersides of leaves).

Rodents and other animals, such as mice, moles, voles, deer and gophers searching for food, will not hesitant to munch on your garden. For example, hungry rabbits cannot resist a vegetable garden brimming full of cabbage, lettuce, and carrots. They don’t discriminate and will also eat ornamental grasses, leaves, and flowers. It is not uncommon to find a rabbit becoming the primary destroyer of a new garden. Luckily, there are ways to prevent rabbit destruction, including remedies made with common household ingredients (such as garlic, Tabasco sauce, and hot peppers) that possess tastes and smells undesirable to rabbits.

Gardening Home Remedies

If you want luscious tomato plants and pest-free flowers, perhaps you’d enjoy skimming the following home remedies for gardens:

a) Baking Soda and Soap:

To control an attack of powdery mildew on plants, use baking soda as a natural fungicide and preventative. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda, ½ teaspoon of liquid soap, and one gallon of water. Spray susceptible plants during humid or damp weather on a weekly basis to greatly reduce powdery mildew in your garden. While any plant can become a victim of powdery mildew, keep in mind that lilacs, roses, grapes, squash and cucumbers are most vulnerable.

b) Baking Soda and Oil:

Protect tomato and potato plants from fungal infections by spraying a mixture of one teaspoon of baking soda, one tablespoon of mineral (or canola oil), and one gallon of water. Spray early in the growing season to gain the best results.

c) Milk:

Spray plants with a mixture comprised of 10% milk and 90% water to rid plants of mildew. It is suggested to follow this home remedy two times per week.

d) Club Soda:

Put leftover club soda to good use when watering your garden plants. The minerals found in the beverage helps green plants grow. If you can, use this home remedy about once per week.

e) Watering Habits:

It is important to water your garden often, which will also attract natural pest killers, such as ladybugs. The best time to water your garden is early in the morning or late in the evening when there is less risk of losing moisture due to hot weather conditions of the day.

f) Listerine [1]:

Create an undesirable environment for aphids by spraying plants with a mixture made from one part Listerine and one part water.

g) Chili Powder:

Sprinkling chili powder around the base of plants can deter rabbits from damaging your vegetable garden. Don’t forget this home remedy needs reapplication after any rainfall.

h) Flashlight:

When weevils come out to feed on your plants in the evening, use a flashlight to find the little invaders and manually remove.

i) Scrap Carpet:

Keep weeds from attacking your garden by placing carpet scraps upside down and then covering them with bark mulch or straw.

j) Old Ladder:

If you’re interested in decorating your garden with a trellis, use an old wooden ladder to train vines and trailing plants to climb. Attach hooks into the wood to make hanging plants easier to arrange.

k) Chicken Eggs:

Some people claim that spraying a solution comprised of one beaten egg and 1 1/3 cups of water on plants will repel deer, elk, and in some cases, rabbits.

l) Coffee Grounds:

Recycle old coffee grounds to use as an effective fertilizer for rose bushes, azaleas, rhododendrons, evergreens, and camellias. The nutrients and nitrogen found in the coffee grounds satisfies plants that require acid.

m) Hair Clippings and Dog Fur:

If deer pose a threat to your garden, pack human hair clippings and dog fur into nylon satchels made out of old pantyhose. The scent of humans and other animals helps deter deer activity. Keep in mind that after awhile, the hair loses its scent and needs replacing after every four to five days.

n) Salt:

Eliminate an invasion of slugs in your garden by sprinkling salt on the pests.

o) Tobacco Leaves:

Soaking one to two dried tobacco leaves overnight in one liter of water creates the base for a home remedy to repel aphids and red ants in gardens. Strain the liquid and add two teaspoons of soap powder to the mix. Directly spray the solution on the offending pests. To use on insects with a hard body, add about 20 to 30 pieces of powdered hot pepper.

p) Oven Racks:

Discourage rabbit activity in your garden by placing wire or metal oven racks around your garden plants. It is said that the rabbits do not like stepping on the racks and will look for food in other places.



q) Corn Cobs:

Soak corn cob halves in vinegar for 24 hours to create a natural rabbit deterrent that works wonders in a flower bed. Replace this gardening home remedy every two weeks. It is the smell of the vinegar that drives rabbits away.

r) Red Hot Pepper:

To keep cucumber beetles and leafhoppers from destroying your cabbage, broccoli, and related vegetables, spray plants with a solution comprised of a mixture of two tablespoons hot red pepper powder, six drops of liquid soap, and one gallon of water. Spray weekly for the best results.

s) Garden Hose:

Use a garden hose to spray the underside of plant leaves every two to three days to manage spider mites. This gardening home remedy works by interrupting their life cycle [2].

t) Rubbing Alcohol:

Apply rubbing alcohol to affected leaves to treat a spider mite problem.

u) Rose Plant Clippings:

Prevent rabbits from entering your flowerbed by spreading rose bush clippings around your plants, which creates an uncomfortable environment for their feet.

v) Beer:

Fill a shallow pan with beer to attract slugs and snails, which then crawl into the pans and drown.

w) Vegetable Oil:

If you find that the leaves of your plants are curling and looking deformed, take a peek at their undersides and you may discover a colony of aphids. To rid your garden of these pests, combine one cup of vegetable oil and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Take one tablespoon of this home remedy and mix with one cup of water to create a formula that treats an aphid problem in your garden.

x) Vinegar:

Spray weeds displaying broad leaves with white or apple cider vinegar. Make sure to cover nearby plants so that the spray does not affect your garden. It is best to spray the weeds during the hottest part of the day.

y) Aluminum Foil:

When transplanting pepper, tomato, and eggplant seedlings into your garden, wrap plants with an aluminum foil strip measuring 4×4 inches to prevent cutworm damage and blight organisms found in the soil. Make sure to wrap the stem area between the roots and leaves with the foil. There should be two inches of foil-wrapped stems found above and below the soil.

z) Cayenne Pepper:

When vegetable leaves are moist, apply finely ground cayenne peppers to make them undesirable to rabbits.

aa) Ex-Lax:

Some people have used chocolate flavored Ex-lax to keep chipmunks and moles from destroying their gardens.

bb) Repellent Plants:

Sometimes, the kinds of flowers you choose to plant can help avoid infestations of pests. Plant beans to protect potatoes from the Colorado Potato Beetle. Chives are known to protect apples from scabs. Asparagus protects tomatoes from insects living in the soil. The Cucumber Beetle tends to avoid vine crops when radish is planted nearby. The Carrot Fly typically steers clear of carrots when onions are in the vicinity. Marigolds will protect potatoes, tomatoes, and roses from nematodes – tiny, eel-like roundworms.

cc) Adhesive Tape:

Try wrapping your hand with adhesive tape (the sticky side out) to easily remove pests from the leaves of your plants.

dd) Garlic:

When dogs and cats in the neighborhood pay visits to your garden, drive them away by spraying the leaves of plants with a blend of one chopped garlic bulb and one tablespoon of cayenne pepper steeped in one quart of water. Add one teaspoon of liquid dish soap to make sure the spicy home remedy sticks to the plants.

ee) Irish Spring Soap:

According to some gardeners, deer cannot stand the smell of Irish Spring soap. Hang chopped up pieces in nearby bushes and trees. Others have used the small bars of soap offered in hotel bathrooms as a way to repel deer. Drill holes into the centers of the soap and hang in trees.

ff) Early Weeding:

It’s important to make weeding a priority early in the growing season. When weeds are young, they are much easier to pull and remove.

gg) Tomato Plant Protection:

Cutworms, the larvae or caterpillars of some moths, are notorious for attacking tomato plants. Luckily, there are a few home remedies for gardening that can lessen or avoid damage. Place a nail spike alongside a tomato plant to repel cutworms. Some people cover young tomato plants with a milk carton to prevent the destruction of cutworms. Spread cornmeal around tomato plants to control cutworms.

hh) Soy Sauce:

Add equal parts of canola oil and soy sauce to an empty sardine can to lure destructive bugs, such as earwigs. Place the traps out at night and toss out early in the morning, making sure to beat the presence of butterflies and other helpful daytime insects.

Resources

[1] http://www.rosemagazine.com/pages/pests.asp
[2] http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/roses/disease-insect.html

What are Silverfish?

Silverfish are insects that prefer to live in damp, cool places and when they enter a household, they often settle in the kitchen, bathroom, or basement. Measuring 1/3 to 3/4 inches long, silverfish possess flat, elongated bodies that taper towards the back end of the body. They are gray to green in color. The diet of a silverfish primarily consists of substances that contain starch, such as cereals, cardboard, starched clothes, and even book bindings [1].

Since silverfish enjoy moist environments, they frequent rooms with water pipes. However, they are extremely skittish around light and run at the first sign of it. Because of this, many homeowners aren’t even aware of their existence.

Silverfish Home Remedies

When battling silverfish in your home, it’s important to stay vigilant in your quest to eradicate the pests, especially since they can live up to a year without food. Make sure to attack all of their potential hiding spots, such as cracks, crevices, inside floor moldings, behind furniture, in closets, and even in the attic. Home remedies for silverfish include:

a) Cucumber:

It is said that an effective repellent for silverfish is cucumber peelings because the scent of the cucumber is not appealing to the insect. Create strips of the vegetable with a knife (and not with a potato peeler). The object is to make thicker pieces of the cucumber. Place two or more strips in your cabinet or closet floors. Once the strips become dry, replace them until your problem is gone.

b) Remove Excess Paper:

Get rid of extra piles of newspaper, magazines, and paper grocery bags to eliminate the number of places that silverfish may hide.

c) Cloves:

Another scent offensive to silverfish is cloves. Use whole cloves for the best results, and place in locations where the insects are found.

d) Spices [2]:

Silverfish are not fond of spices. Create a sachet of aromatic spices, such as bay leaves, sage, or even apple pie spices. Leave sachets on the hooks of your bathroom vanity. Other places to leave sachets include behind the washer. You may also create decorative baskets filled with aromatic scents to place along baseboards.

e) Dehumidify:

Since silverfish are attracted to damp places in your home, reducing the amount of moisture found in the air can help drive away the insects. A couple of suggestions include mending leaky pipes and providing proper ventilation in closed rooms and attics.

f) Wet Newspaper:

For some people, leaving out a wet newspaper overnight has attracted silverfish in their home. When successful, they were able to collect the paper before the silverfish scatter, and then dump the insects inside of a sealed trash bag/can – preferably one that is outside of the home.

g) Mothballs:

Place mothballs where silverfish frequent, as the scent is believed to repulse the insects.

h) Water and Flour:

In a bowl, mix enough white flour and water until you reach the same consistency as pancake batter. Coat a couple of small index cards with the mixture on both sides. Allow them to completely dry before placing the cards in locations where the insects frequent, such as cracks in walls, close to pipes, and around molding. Repeat the process until there is no sign of silverfish.

i) Boric Acid:

If you use boric acid as a household cleaner, the substance offers a way to kill silverfish. Place a small amount of the powder in hard-to-reach places in your home. The silverfish nibble on the boric acid and bring some back to their nests. It is said that entire populations are eradicated in this manner.

Resources

[1] http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=silverfish
[2] Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest; pg. 311.

]]> http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/silverfish.html/feed 1 http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/wild-rabbits.html http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/wild-rabbits.html#comments Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:21:08 +0000 ryan http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/?p=1099 Throughout the United States and Canada, wild rabbits wreak havoc on gardens and flowerbeds, especially the wild cottontail species. Because they have a greedy appetite for leaves, vegetables, flowers, and even grass, they can turn a beautiful garden into a war zone. In order to protect your new growth, home remedies for wild rabbits can help.

Background on Wild Rabbits

Many people make the mistake of referring to a rabbit as a rodent. They actually belong to their own order of animals called lagomorphs. In the United States, there are 14 species of true rabbits, such as the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) [1]. Cottontails vary in color, but they are mostly gray or brown. Their large hind feet allow them to cover long distances and their ears work to regulate their body temperature.

Wild rabbits are most active at dusk and dawn, preferring to stow away in brushy hedgerows and close to wooded areas. Their diet consists of leafy plants during the growing season and the buds and bark of woody plants in the wintertime. Because of the number of predators that a rabbit of the outdoors faces, they only live between one and two years in the wild.

Wild Rabbit Home Remedies

Since rabbits are known for causing a great deal of damage to vegetables, flowers and other plants in a garden, it’s a good idea to learn how to effectively keep these critters away. Become familiar with home remedies for wild rabbits to get the most out of your outdoor garadening:

a) Ground Pepper:

Since rabbits are constantly sniffing around, they tend to inhale whatever they come in contact with. You can repel rabbits by using red pepper, black pepper, cayenne or paprika that is spread around your garden. Once they take in the offensive pepper, they will certainly think twice about pestering your plants.

b) Cat Urine:

If you have a cat, why don’t you put that kitty litter to good use? Spread used litter around your garden to trick rabbits into thinking a predator is in the area.

c) Human Hair:

Wild rabbits are fearful of humans. Leaving behind hair places the scent of ‘predators’ in your garden, which works as a repellent.

d) Used Shoes:

Another way to deter the presence of wild rabbits is to conceal old shoes around your garden to give the impression that humans are in the vicinity. Choose worn out leather footwear for the best results.

e) Tabasco and Egg:

Prevent a rabbit from munching on your tree trucks by painting the base with a mixture of one well-beaten egg, ½ teaspoon of Tabasco sauce, and one gallon of water. Don’t worry; this home remedy for rabbits will not affect your trees.

f) Marigolds:

Since rabbits aren’t too fond of marigolds, plant a few in your garden to discourage their presence.

g) Vinegar:

Soak corn cob halves in vinegar for 24 hours before placing in your flower bed. The smell is a natural rabbit repellant. Don’t forget to replace this home remedy every two weeks.

h) Hot and Spicy Deterrents:

It’s no fun to munch on a garden that burns the mouth and tongue. Use home remedy rabbit deterrents, such as Tabasco and hot sauce, by leaving behind the hot stuff around plants and flowers. When it rains, make sure to reapply.

i) Garlic and Onion:

Repel rabbits by using kitchen items that send cottontails running, such as garlic and onion, which act as natural turn-offs.

j) Elmer’s Glue:

When you need help protecting your plants from rabbits, choose Elmer’s glue as a way to keep repellents on flowers and plants. For example, combine two tablespoons of ground red pepper (or Tabasco sauce) and one tablespoon of Elmer’s white glue with one quart of water. Spray the solution as needed. Do not use the remedy close to the time of harvesting or picking plants, as it can be difficult to wash off of produce and flowers used for arrangements.

k) Burlap:

Protect your trees from rabbits by wrapping the lower parts of the trunks during the fall season with tree guards, such as old burlap sacks or tin foil. If you live in a location that sees snowfall, make sure the wrapping is 2 inches above the height of the deepest snow expected, as rabbits can easily reach sections when the snow is high. When spring arrives, remove the wrappings.

l) Rose Bush Clippings:

Rabbits will think twice about entering a garden that puts a hurting on their feet. Spreading the clippings from thorny rose bushes around your garden makes it uncomfortable for rabbits to walk about your plants.

m) Choose Your Plants Carefully:

Luckily, there are some plants that rabbits don’t take much interest in [2]. Some gardeners will concentrate on these specimens to deter rabbit activity. These include hearty geraniums, peonies, daffodils, perennial salvia, moss phlox, potatoes, tomatoes, and summer squash – to name a few.

n) Cow Manure:

For those of you living on a farm, put your cow manure to good use by mixing the bovine waste with water until it creates a soupy mixture. Some people actually pour the watery manure directly over the plants they wish to protect. Arrange the manure mix around the perimeter of your garden.

Resources

[1] http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/a_closer_look_at_wildlife/rabbits.html

[2] http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2002/6-28-2002/rabbitdamage.html

]]> http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/wild-rabbits.html/feed 1 http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/roaches.html http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/roaches.html#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:33:01 +0000 ryan http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/?p=1047 Unfortunately, the pitter-patter of little feet isn’t necessarily a good thing, when it’s a cockroach that’s invaded your home or apartment. Taking refuge in the nooks and crannies of your kitchen and bathroom, the roach is a common household pest with nearly 4,000 species scurrying across the world. Luckily, home remedies for roaches can help tame the 30 species known to infiltrate human dwellings.

What is a Roach?

Cockroaches are known as one of the most dreaded of household pests. They’ve been around for thousands of years and they don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. There are four species of cockroach officially considered ‘pests’ with the most recognized species being the American cockroach – measuring 30 millimeters long [1]. Preferring the warm environment found inside homes, the pest species of cockroach can easily adapt to their surroundings as they search for food and water. They will feed on pet and human edibles. Possessing the ability to live one month without water, and up to three months without food, the cockroach is a pretty resilient creature.

Roach Home Remedies

If actions are not taken to control the presence of roaches, their numbers will steadily increase. Many people call an exterminator or resort to using harmful chemicals to rid their home of roaches. Luckily, at the first sign of the pest, home remedies for roaches can help reduce numbers and discourage toxic methods of roach control. A few suggestions include:

a) Petroleum Jelly Trap:

Apply petroleum jelly around the inner rim of a jar. Insert a couple of apple, potato or banana peelings into the jar. Leave out overnight where you’ve spotted roach activity. The pests should climb into the jar, but will be unable to escape because of the petroleum. Discard the contents in a bucket of soapy water, and then flush down the toilet.

b) Baking Soda:

Many believe that a mixture consisting of equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar applied to problem areas will control roaches. Supposedly, the sugar attracts the pests while the baking soda mixes with their stomach acids to cause internal destruction.

c) Coffee Grounds:

Fill a jar halfway with water and coffee grounds. This trap uses the scent of coffee, which is pleasant to the roach, to lure and trap roaches in the jar. As the pests climb into the jar, they should fall inside and drown.

d) Cornstarch:

Create a 50/50 blend of cornstarch and plaster of Paris, which is spread into crevices where roaches appear.

e) Lemons [2]:

Effective against roaches, add the juice of four lemons (with the rinds) and ½ gallon (two liters) of water to a bucket. Using a sponge or mop, wash your floors with it. Apparently, the little pests cannot stand the smell.

f) Garlic Onion Pepper Mix:

Add one clove of garlic, one onion, and one tablespoon of cayenne pepper to one quart of water. Allow the ingredients to marinade for one hour. Add one tablespoon of liquid soap to the mixture and spray in the places that roaches frequent about your home.

g) Run a Clean Ship:

Roaches prefer to dwell in dark, dank places, especially when areas are filled with clutter. Keep your living spaces clean. Cover your garbage cans at all times and store your food in sealed containers and bags.

h) Caulk Water Pipes:

Roaches often congregate in kitchens and bathrooms, using the holes associated with water pipes as a means of travel. Caulking around all water pipes can help eliminate their routes into your living spaces.

i) Bleach Pinesol Mix:

Pour a mixture consisting of two cups of bleach, two cups of Pinesol, and one cup of hot boiling water to the areas that roaches frequent in your home. Wait around 10 minutes to clean up. It’s suggested to open windows when using this home remedy for roaches because the scent is very strong.

j) Vacuum:

Once you’ve gotten rid of roaches in your home, frequently vacuum around baseboards, kitchen drawers, and cabinets to eradicate the waste products and dead bodies of roaches. People with asthma and other respiratory problems can become affected by leftover roach waste.

k) Bleach:

Pour bleach down the drains of sinks and tubs to dissuade roaches from using drain pipes as a way to travel throughout your home.

l) Bay Leaves:

Create roach-repellant sachets by adding bay leaves to the inside of a pair of pantyhose and placing in dresser drawers, closets, and cupboards.

Resources

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockroach
[2] Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest; pg 199.

]]> http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/roaches.html/feed 0 http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/fire-ants.html http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/fire-ants.html#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:26:54 +0000 ryan http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/?p=1022 With more than 280 species in the world, fire ants live in remote parts of the world, as well as the backyards of frustrated homeowners throughout the United States, especially in the southeast. These small wonders are aggressive and pack quite a sting. When you want to avoid costly exterminators and harmful pesticides, first consider home remedies for fire ants.

Identifying a Fire Ant

In their nest, this stinging species of ant varies in size – from 1/16 to 1/5 inch long. Their head and body are dark reddish brown with a darker underside. They build and live in mounds that can reach more than 15 inches high, 15 inches in diameter, and up to five feet deep [1]. Disturb their activities or come too close to their nest and they are extremely aggressive. Fire ants will swarm over anything that poses a threat to the nest, including wild animals, pets, and humans. In some cases, an attack can result in a death.

In the United States, fire ants sting 20 million people in a year. They live in regions throughout Alabama, Florida, California, Kansas, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. According to Texas A&M University, fire ants cause the state of Texas an estimated $1 billion in damages on a yearly basis.

If a fire ant bites you, expect painful stings that eventually turn into a small welt. Multiple bites will result in clusters that resemble a rash.

Fire Ant Home Remedies

When it comes to controlling fire ants, the best approach is one drenched in patience. While some fire ant infestations take a couple of hours to calm down, others include weeks or months of work. It is important to treat or remove all fire ant mounds because missing even the smallest of colonies can result in a reinfestation that kicks off in less than one year. A couple of suggestions on how to win the battle against these blazing pests include the following home remedies for fire ants:

a) Target Only Fire Ants:

When fire ants become an issue, it’s common for homeowners to launch a full assault on all ants, but keep in mind – other ants contribute to the slowing down of fire ant populations, such as cutting down their food supply. Make sure you only target fire ants when using home remedies.

b) Dry Ice:

Slip into a pair of work gloves to safely insert a piece of dry ice into the top of a fire ant mound. It is your goal to kill the queen and most of the worker ants with this negative 110-degree approach.

c) Shovel:

During the winter season, you can still fight fire ants. With shovel in hand, dig up mounds and toss them downwind as far as possible. Refill the mound with new soil. After the sun sets and overall temperatures drop, the ants left above ground will die.

d) Lye:

If you happen to have a bar of lye soap in your house, melt ½ bar and add to five gallons of water. Remember, when handling lye, it is important to wear rubber gloves and protect your eyes. Pour the mixture into a fire ant mound for a remedy that’s also safe for the environment.

e) Urine:

Human urine has a knack for turning off fire ants. In some cases, pouring the liquid on and around mounds have encouraged some colonies to set up shop elsewhere.

f) Spearmint:

If you don’t mind the scent or spreading of spearmint in your yard, plant the herb close to an infestation, which some say repels fire ants.

g) Hot Water:

If you only have one or two mounds in your yard, dig up the colony and deposit a 5-gallon bucket of hot, soapy water. Allow the water to sit for 24 hours. Hopefully, the hotness of the water mixed with the soap will scald the ants. Keep in mind that ants can survive underwater for up to 14 days, so the key to this method is using boiling hot water. When disturbing the nest, stay alert to prevent a swarm of fire ants from stinging you.

h) Remove Their Scent Trails:

Fire ants use scent trails to find their way back home. Right before a downpour and before the ants have returned underground, dig up the ants and toss them as far as you can. Make sure that you transport the ants downwind. When it rains, their scent trails will wash out and most of them will not be able to find their way back to their home. Oftentimes, this method must be repeated.

i) Fire Ant Bait:

If you’re looking for a homemade bait to lure fire ants to their end or make traps enticing enough for pests to bite, you can a) mix equal parts of borax and granulated sugar, b) create a mixture of corn syrup and borax, or c) combine peanut butter and boric acid (15%) in a jar lid.

j) Diatomaceous Earth:

Comprised of silicate shells belonging to microscopic sea creatures called diatoms, fire ants become dehydrated after coming in contact with the razor-sharp edges of these shell fragments. Damaging the exoskeleton and disrupting the waxy coating of the ants, they can suffer dehydration within 12 to 24 hours.

Resources

[1] http://www.fireant.net/

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