[Creative Commons photo by gregor_y]
Conventional pesticides are pretty nasty. In Australia, pesticide runoff turned out to be responsible for some terrible fish mutations. Many conventional pesticides are proven carcinogens and groundwater contaminants. Instead of spraying these questionable chemicals, here are a few alternative ways to keep those pests out of the garden!
- Not all garden bugs are bad! Try introducing some beneficial insects.
- Certain plants almost care for each other when they’re growing in the same area. Give companion planting a whirl.
- If you’re having an issue with a specific pest, check out living with bugs for some great natural solutions.
- Instead of spraying harsh chemicals, you might try mixing up your own pesticide out of neem oil.
- If time is an issue, Clean Air Gardening has a great selection of organic alternatives to keep you plants safe.
About Becky Striepe
Ants don’t seem to be affected by Neem oil…but you can sprinkle semolina flour (like the stuff you use for making pasta) or their mounds and they will die after ingesting it. If you’re lucky they’ll even take it back to their queen and kill her too. Cornmeal/corn flour is toxic to slugs so I leave an open jar laid on its side near plants they love, they crawl in to eat it, then crawl away to die.
Thanks for linking to my blog & hope to have lots more to share with you soon