CHAPTER 11 - The Best Control 2

take a lot longer than 6 -8 weeks and may even require another season. The presence of mud in the water willinactivate the important chemicals so remove the mud precipitants first; 6 barley straw bales will treat 1 surfaceacre of water. Well aerated water and rotting barley straw will produce traces of hydrogen peroxide. It is bestto add the barley straw before the algae begins to row. See Tadpoles.Barriers - Anything that will keep pests off and out of an area, e.g., door sweeps, fences, caulk, garlic, duct tape,double-sided tape, Vaseline, screens, doors, air curtains, chalk, ditches, moats, sound, lights, shields, covers,fragrances, chemicals, DE, repellents, temperature, microwaves, edging, essential oils, pepper, talcum powder,cinnamon, steel wool, sand, lime, copper, ashes, plants, cloves, corn gluten meal, glass, visquine, tapes, etc.Basil - The essential oil of basil can repel mosquitoes and has insecticidal, antibacterial and fungicidal effectsand may act as an antifeedant or repellent. Basil planted among tomato plants will control tomato worms. Tryboiling shredded leaves in a covered container and separating the oils found in the water and on the lid. Theoil is almost half linalool. Basil is a mild sedative, antiseptic and helps digestion. See also Lemon Basil andSweet Basil.Bathing - In 1491 Johann Pruss advocated regular bathing and changes of clothing to control body lice.Bats - The little brown bat eats almost its weight each night in mosquitoes, moths, caddis flies, midges and/orbeetles.Bay Leaves - Add bay leaves to cereal, flour and sugar tins and shelves to help keep ants and grain moths andweevils away. Bay leaves, cloves and eucalyptus wrapped in sachets will repel flies if hung by open windowsand doors.Bazooka Bubble Gum - will deter weevils. Add some cloves and/or peppercorns for a “kicker”.Beaaveria bassiana - is a common soil-borne fungus that occurs worldwide. It can be used to control butterflies,moths, spider mites, true bugs, beetles, whiteflies, aphids, leaf hoppers, ants, bees, wasps, etc. Fungal sporescontact the pest directly (via sprays or mists) and penetrate the cuticle. The fungal spores then use the insect’sbody as a nutrient source. Mortality occurs from both desiccation and nutrient loss.Bear Hops (Humulus lupulus) - Its powdered leaves are toxic to southern armyworms, melonworms and otherinsects.Beaver - See the Author’s beaver letter at http://www.getipm.com/personal/dam.htm.Bee or Wasp Stings - Quickly scrape or flick off the stinger, then mix a little water with meat tenderizer (notAc’cent, it’s too spicy) to make a paste and apply it to the stung area. Papain, an enzyme in tenderizer breaksdown the proteins that make up insect venom. An ice pack on the stung areas will keep down swelling and helpprevent the venom from spreading. If tenderizer or ice isn’t available, apply your own urine (gross as this mayseem) to a cloth. It has natural antibodies that can neutralize the insect’s venom. If you have trouble breathing,reoccurring pain, nausea, dizziness or swelling over a large area, seek emergency care immediately!Bee Hives - will deter even the mighty elephant.Beer - can be used to attract and kill slugs, snails, roaches and rats - you can add tobacco juice and spray themix to kill insects, etc., but remember nicotine is still a deadly poison and should only be used with great caution.Take a one pound empty coffee can or empty milk jug and put 1 or 2 pieces of bread in the bottom of the can orjug and soak thoroughly with beer. Place in areas known to have roach infestations. Be prepared to view a can¼ to ½ full of roaches the next day! Beer in wasp traps will suffocate them as it gives off CO 2. Budweiser beeralso conditions the hair. If you find slugs and snails are taking a beer break and then leaving, mix a little flourinto the beer to make a sticky mixture. CAUTION: Tobacco can be deadly if ingested. See baits.Bees’ Wax - is used as a pruning agent.Behavior - Education and behavior changes can create/increase effective prevention, e.g., the risk of many361