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Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Nontoxic Bug Blasters

.Do you ever bring home fruit flies from the super market? If so simply mist the fruit flies with a spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol. They will fall to the floor and then you can sweep them up.

.Seems like certain times of the year sugar ants march a trail along the counter tops, but now they don't have to. Squirt some lemon juice into any holes or cracks where the ants are getting in, and scatter lemon peel around the outdoor entrance. The ants should get the message.

.Sprinkling cayenne pepper or borax at the point of entrance will also keep the ants and insects from entering your casa.

.If you have roaches mix equal parts of sugar and baking powder over the infested area. The sugar will attract the roaches, but the baking powder will kill them. Replace the mixture frequently.

.Want to get rid of anthills in the backyard? Pour vinegar over them. Viola~

.Vinegar can also be used as a mosquito repellent. Simply moisten a cotton ball with vinegar, rub it over your skin and keep the mosquitoes and gnats at bay.

.Is a pesky mosquito bite itching like crazy? Simply wet a cotton ball with ammonia (or Windex ) and rub it on the bite. The itch will be alleviated.

.Cedar, cedar, and more cedar. Cedar chips in your closet keep moths from eating your lovely sweaters. Fresh cedar mulch helps repel many pesky insects away.

.Remove dog ticks by first rubbing the tick's back with rubbing alcohol, and then grab the tick as close to the dog's skin as possible and pull it straight out with tweezers.

.Slugs are lushes. Place shallow pans of beer in the flower bed next to slug munched flowers, and in the morning you should see "wasted" slugs.

.Insecticidal Soap: In your garden you can spray insects feasting on your pretty plants with a simple concoction of 1 tablespoon of (non-phosphate) dish soap mixed with 1 gallon of water.

5 comments:

Mike said...

I have heard that it is a good idea to rinse off your plants a few days after spraying them with the soap and water mixture that you mentioned. Does anyone know if this is actually necessary?

Hilary said...

I am so excited about the rubbing alcohol and fruit flies. I have been leaving glasses of wine and juice out as they seem to dive bomb those drinks and then drown (happily in the case of the wine). However, I think they actually may be spawning so I may have made a grave miscalculation. I look forward to stopping by the pharmacy after work and getting an industrial-sized bottle of rubbing alcohol. You all are just the greatest! Thanks so much!!!

Tea Rose said...

Thanks so much for posting these great natural tips. I am printing it off and posting it on my fridge! That alcohol spray for fruit flies is great!

Unknown said...

Great idea Tea rose! I'm going to do it too.

Sarah said...

mike,
my guess is that it WOULD be a good idea. i wonder if it would alter the taste or burn the tomato!