If you are like us, you want to try to eliminate or drastically reduce your use of pesticides in your yard and garden for you and your family’s health–and of course for the environment….

I found three ways to control pests:

Scale Insects

Oil Spray for Insect Control – Various oils are used to control insect and mite pests. Oils are an important tool to rid gardens of damaging insects such as scales, aphids, mites on fruit trees, shade trees and woody ornamental plants. Oils also can control some plant diseases, such as powdery mildew.

• Mix 1 T of mild dish washing liquid or baby shampoo with 1 T of cooking oil in a quart of water.
• Spray every 5 to 7 days as needed
• Water plants the day before you spray
• Do not use on plants with hairy leaves or those with a thin waxy covering on the leaves or orchids
• For fungus control, add 2 T of baking soda to the above mixture and
• Spray both sides of the leaves thoroughly at the first sign of disease

Insect Repellent for Vegetables –

• Mix 1 T of liquid hand soap with 1/4 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper, onion powder and garlic powder in a spray bottle and fill with water
• Spray on infected plants

Slug Control –

• Pour beer into a smooth-walled container with a rim
• Place at least 1/2 inch above ground level to keep from drowning beneficial bugs

Sowbug (aka Pill Bug) Control –

• Place  1/2 to 1 cup cornmeal in a container such as an old coffee can or oatmeal container.  Punch a small hole, the size of a penny in the lid.  Set the container on it’s side so the sowbugs crawl into the hole.