CHAPTER 11 - The Best Control 2

lit charcoal in the tunnels would also kill pests, but check with the authorities first. See http://www.modfarm.com.Smothering - Smother poison ivy and other weeds under black visquine, heavy straw or mulch, tar paper,plywood or cardboard.Snails - Issac Kanoa on Maui is using black ducks from Cayahoga Lake in Washington to eat snais, slugs,antsand bugs in his organic gardens because they do not eat his plants.Snakes - They help keep many insects, gophers, moles, mice and other rodents in check.Snow Fence - The plastic kind can be used to catch and kill or exclude snakes. Snow fencing, wood or plastic,will also exclude many mammals.Soap - Soaps are also surfactants, but they are made with natural ingredients; they may be used as insecticides,algicides, de-mossers, large animal repellents and herbicides. Soap kills insect pests because of theinsecticidal power of fatty acids, which destroy cellular membranes and the soap solution creates a film thatprevents the insect from breatghing through its spiracles. Soft-bodied insects are most susceptible. Mix 4ounces of virtually any soap - mild (unregistered) dish soap or a natural soap or a commercial cleaner or adegreaser or better yet an eucalyptus or citrus oil or citronella or lavender or peppermint soap (with or withoutprotease enzymes) in 1 gallon of water and spray as an insecticide to quickly control most insect pestsor use an (registered) insecticidal or herbicidal soap, e.g., Safers ® or Ringer ® . Be sure your cleaner does notcontain alkylphenol polyethoxylate - which is a hormone disrupter. Spray floors and yards to control ants andfleas. This mix will also control many insects, e.g., white flies, mites, aphids, etc. Spray a few leaves andwait at least 48 to 72 hours; if there is no ill effect, then spray your plants (treat the bottom as well as the topof the leaves) every 2 - 3 days for several weeks. Some plants are sensitive even to mild/diluted soap.Mix 1 cup cooking oil with 1 tablespoon non-detergent liquid soap as an alternative “brew” - use 1 tablespoonof this “brew” for each cup of water and spray to control aphids, spider mites, scales, some caterpillars andmealy bugs - this “brew” is effective against eggs as well as adults. If the temperature is over 85 O F. the oilwill damage some foliage. Deodorant soaps, especially Dial ® , can repel deer and other animals. Sprinkle drysoap into garbage cans after they have been washed and allowed to dry; it acts as a fly repellent. Sprinkle orspray Tide laundry soap around the foundation of your home to keep ants out. At 40 O F. or less spraying birdswith soapy water will quickly kill them. Soap as it melts adds alkalinity to the soil. The “original” Pestisafe ® .Sopas act by impairing the waxy coveriing of insect and arachnid exoskeletons; this results in desiccation anddeath of the pest.Soap Plant, Soap Root (Chlorogalum pomeridianum) - Grows from California north to Oregon. Powderedbulbs are toxic to armyworms and melonworms.Soap and Water - Soap and water beat all of the various anti-bacterials. When Grandmother finished washingthe dishes she threw the soapy water on her plants and flowers controlling most insect pests quickly and safely.Fill a quart sprayer with water and a tablespoon of soap and try it yourself - you can add a “kicker” by includingenzyme cleaners, garlic, alcohol, mineral oil, vegetable oil, hydrogen peroxide, glycerin and/or borax to your mix!Compare various types of soaps for differing control results e.g., dish soap; degreasers; commercial cleaners;natural soaps; peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus or citrus oil soaps; insecticidal soaps; neem soaps; strippers; ortry various combinations with or without a “kicker”. Be sure you use a salmonella-free enzyme cleaner. Remember,even natural soap burns the eyes and may also burn squash, cauliflower, cabbage and other leaves.Socks - Stretch a darkly colored (red) man’s sock over the exterior of a quart mason jar to assist the roachesand other pests in climbing up the exterior to enter your trap.Soda Pop Bottles - 2-liter clear soda bottles can be cut at the curve and the tops can then be inverted andtaped back so the top is now a “funnel”. You can use various attractants to lure stinging insects, flies, slugs andmice to their deaths. See photo - Chapter 39.Sodium Bicarbonate - (baking soda) works very well as an alternative pest control chemical. Arm and Hammerhas a good grade Rumen Buffer 46011. Bicarbonate occurs naturally in saliva, but occasionally when acidsincrease in stomachs or swimming pools, sodium bicarbonate rapidly lowers the acid. When sprinkled about,455