Pesticide Use

Various insects can be found around your home. Certain "bad" insects eat plants, but other "good" insects attack the bad ones. If all insects are destroyed, those that are beneficial may also be harmed. By avoiding or minimizing pesticide sprays, you will help keep your yard safe for earthworms, birds, pets and children. If a pesticide spray is necessary, read and follow label instructions carefully. Apply pesticides only during the appropriate time of year and on calm days. Store pesticide containers safely and dispose of the empty containers properly.

Tips for insect control

• Control weeds. Weedy gardens may harbor insects.
• Use non-toxic insect sprays (see section below).
• Rotate your crops. Insects may overwinter in the soil and return the next year.
• Changing the location of insects favorite food may confuse them.

Avoid monocultures (planting one type of plant). Planting a wide variety of plants helps prevent insects (and diseases) from destroying your garden.

Encourage beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, praying mantises, and others. Plant flowers and herbs that supply beneficial insects with nectar, pollen and habitat. Mix your plantings so that beneficial insects are attracted to all parts of your garden.

Fine netting such as cheese cloth placed over the bed will protect seedlings from chewing insects, keep cats and birds away and prevent flying insects from laying eggs.

Floating row covers will also protect vegetables from many types of insects and are available at most garden stores.

Trap slugs by filling a small container with cheap beer or a yeast/water mixture. Sink the container in the ground up to the rim. Slugs are attracted by the yeast, fall in and drown.

Place mulch between the rows of your garden to inhibit weed growth. Mulches include: hay, newsprint, grass clippings or compost.

Use "companion plants" which attract beneficial insects or discourage pests from your garden (see section below).

To stop hatching larvae from burrowing in the soil surrounding your plants, use collars made of stiff paper or heavy plastic (e.g. old milk jug). Cut a one foot by one foot square piece and fit snugly around the stem of the plant on the top half of the soil.

Keep cutworms away from your tomatoes, peas, cabbages and beans by removing both ends of a can and sinking it around the plant bedding. This will act as a metal collar

Non-toxic pesticide recipes

Preventing Ants - Place dried, crumbled bay leaves in doorways and window sills. Washing counter tops with vinegar and water is also effective in preventing ants.

Caterpillars - Use "stickum" made from 1-1/2 cups resin (available from athletic supply stores), 1 cup linseed oil and 1 tablespoon melted paraffin. Mix together and put around the trunk of your trees or plant bases.

Cutworms - Apply mixed molasses and cornmeal around the base of each plant.

Aphids - Cut up 3 pounds of rhubarb or elder leaves. Boil half an hour in 3 quarts of water, strain and cool. Dissolve 1 ounce soap in one quart of water. Mix the two solutions and spray.

Non-toxic pesticide sprays

Hot peppers - Boil 2 or 3 very hot peppers, half an onion and one garlic clove in water. Steep for 5-10 hours and drain through cloth. Spray on foliage. Avoid contact with eyes.

Soap - The least toxic chemical for many gardeners is a soap mixture. Spraying plants with soapy water will control aphids, mealy bugs, thrips, red spider mites and lice. Mix two tablespoons of liquid soap per one quart water. Spray on plants. Use pure soap because additives and detergents may damage plants.

Companion Planting

Certain insects dislike certain plants, use this to your advantage. By strategically planting your garden, you may avoid pest problems from ever occurring.

Plant your beans near potatoes and you'll repel potato beetles and bean beetles.

Plant chives near roses and you will chase away harmful aphids.

Plant marigolds, chrysanthemums, chives, onions, garlic, basil, savory, horseradish, mint and thyme near your plants. The natural odors and root secretions repel some insects.

Plant asparagus, marigolds, dill or borage near tomatoes to repel tomato worms.

Plant radishes to lure maggots away from sprouting corn and cabbage.

Plant onions around your beans to repel ants.

Scatter your onions throughout the garden instead of planting them in rows. This will discourage slow-moving root maggots which take advantage of onions planted next to each other.

Plant onion "sets", not seeds, to control onion flies.

Plant catnip around the edge of the garden to repel flea beetles.

"Mole plant" herbs placed sporadically through your garden discourage moles and mice.

Please address all comments and suggestions about the contents of this Web page to rougeweb@co.wayne.mi.us.

The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project is funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants #XP995743-01, -02, -03, -04, -05, -06, -08 and C-264000-01.