Avoid using toxic pesticides

THE BEST thing you can do for
your home and garden environ-
ment is to stop using chemicals
that are toxic and therefore harm-
ful.

Until relatively recently, we us-
ed products derived from nature
ty control everything from insect
pests to weeds. Those products are
still available to us, though some-
times we have to mix them at
home from a variety of materials.

Although using non-toxic pest-
control methods means a bit more
work and planning, and is not as
immediately effective as spraying
with chemical solutions, many
people find the long-term benefits
worth it.

The following are some natural
pest-contro} methods.

* Plant onions, garlic, and
-marigolds as a border or within
your flower or vegetable beds.
*Keep your plants and soil
healthy and pest-resistant by fer-
tilizing with natural fertilizers,
such aS compost enriched with
bone meal, peat moss, and
mushroom manure. Many chemi-
cal fertilizers contain pesticides, so
read labels before purchasing.
Overuse of chemical fertilizers can
also kill good bacteria in the soil,
leading to lowered resistance of
your plants’ defences against
harmful insects and disease.

© Rotate plantings within your
garden.

© Encourage birds to visit your
yard by installing a bird bath and
feeding stations. Remember, birds
eat many of the insects we find
objectionable.

® Pick off pests by hand, o7
wash them off outdoor plants
(preferably in the morning) with a
strong spray of water from the
hose.

© Spray or sponge pest-infested
plants with non-toxic soap, then
rinse. You can buy environmental-

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© To discourage ants from com-
ing into the house, pour a line of
cream of tartar, red chili powder,
paprika, or dried peppermint
leaves at their point of entry. To
repel ants outdoors, plant onions
and beans close together.

¢ For caterpillar pests, including
loopers, leaf-rollers, tent caterpil-
lars, and cutworms, apply Bacillus
thuringiensis, a commercially
available bacteria, when the pests
are small. This naturally occurring
bacteria is deadly to nearly 200
garden pests, but is harmless to

—RALCONY
ENCLOSURES
SOLARIUMS

plants, wildlife, beneficial insects,
humans, and pets. Bacillus thur-
ingiensis, usually referred to as Bt,
is available under many different
brand names and can be found in
garden centres and through
gardening catalogues.

e For slugs and snails, set out
shallow dishes of beer at soil level.
Beer traps also kill earwigs effec-
tively, and so does a spray made
with three tablespoons of soap to
a gallon of water,

* To discourage mosquitoes in
your picnic or play area, try burn-
ing citronella candles and placing
potted basil plants in the area.
Non-toxic personal mosquito
repellents include citronella_ oil
and mint, both of which smell
better than garlic (which also
repels mosquitoes effectively!). Be
warned, however, that mosquitoes
are one of the hardest pests to
discourage.

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Friday, August 16, 1991 - North Shore News - 19

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