CHAPTER 11 - The Best Control 2

person in your house, but you’ll feel a lot better. Scores of studies confirm garlic’s ability to create a fungus-freezone, to kill germs, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and prevent blood clots. The allicin in garlic confusesthe sensory receptors in insects and repels deer, rabbits and geese.Garlic Oil - Garlic (Allium sativum) a member of the lily family, has been used for thousands of years in treatingcoughs, colds, chronic bronchitis, toothache, earache, dandruff, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis and otherailments. In addition, garlic has been used as an insect and bird repellent on plants. Gardeners have been usinghomemade garlic preparations as insecticides for many years to protect flowers, greenhouses, gardens, lawns,ornamentals, trees and vine crops. Simmer several cloves of garlic in cooking oil for about an hour, cool, strainand spray. Although garlic does kill pest insects and some pathogens, it also kills many beneficial insects andmicrobes. Garlic oil also contains the volatile compounds allicin, citral, geraniol and linalool, which are known tohave insecticidal properties. Garlic solutions have been reported to destroy four species of larval mosquitoes,as well as boll weevils, aphids, the cabbage-butterfly caterpillar and larvae of the Colorado potato beetle. Garlicoil sprays also repel many insect pests including white flies, thrips, grasshoppers, spiders, spider mites, leafloopers, leafhoppers, ants, aphids and mosquitoes - spray every few days - the odor goes away in minutes andleaves no aftertaste on produce - spray before the bugs arrive! Garlic oil also repels slugs and snails, or causesthem to create so much mucus they literally dry up. There are now commercial garlic oil dispensers that canbe hung 4-6 feet apart to repel deer and rabbits from an area. To make your own garlic oil: finely chop or crush10 -15 garlic cloves and soak them in one pint of mineral oil for 24 hours. Strain and spray as is, or dilute witha few drops of soap in water. Garlic will protect the kidneys and help eliminate heavy metals.Garlic/Pepper Spray - Smash 6 unpeeled garlic bulbs and place them in a 1 quart jar with a lid; add 1 tablespoonpowdered/crushed hot peppers. Cap. Set in the sun for a few days. Another variation is to dissolve a half cakeof Octagon Soap in a gallon of hot water, add 2 mashed garlic bulbs and stir in 4 teaspoons of red pepper for anadded control. Strain liquid and spray to control flea beetles and other pests. Remember, water-based sprayscan damage plant leaves if applied on a sunny day.Garlic Powder - 2 tablespoons of garlic powder in a horse’s food per day will keep the flies off that horse.Gatorade - Drinking 2 glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain, almost immediately, without the unpleasantside effects caused by traditional pain relievers.Geese - have been used for generations to selectively weed gardens and orchards of narrow-bladed plants.They will “mow” your yard. Contain them with 3-feet tall chicken wire fence. See Chapter 35.General Pest Spray - 1 c. grated or liquid castile soap, 1 c. coarsely chopped tobacco leaves (fresh or cured),3 c. boiling water (divided), 1 entire bulb (not just 1 clove) garlic (peeled, crushed/chopped), 1 c. chopped freshtansy (optional). In a bowl: Dissolve soap in 1 c. boiling water; set aside. In a blender: Pour remainder of boilingwater over tobacco leaves; let set for 10 minutes or so. Add garlic and tansy (if available) and whirl untilsmooth. Strain through cheesecloth; discard solid materials. Add liquid soap to mixture and stir; pour into aspray bottle. To use: Spray the herbal liquid at early morning and dusk for 3 days in a row. Apply as needed,but be very careful.Geotextile Fabric - will control weeds in gardens, along fences, under decks, etc. while allowing water and airto reach the soil.Geranium Oil - will attract Japanese beetles and repel mosquitoes and other biting insects.Get the Facts - Find out exactly what the problem is before you start to work your plan.Gin - Mix 1 ounce gin, 1 ounce apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon baby shampoo in 1 quart of water and sprayunwanted weeks on a hot, sunny day. Repeat as needed.Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - Wild ginger contains a broad-spectrum antibiotic active against both fungi andbacteria. Ginger root tea relieves nausea and motion sickness. Did your mother give you ginger ale when youhad an upset tummy? If so, her instincts were medically sound. Ginger contains chemicals similar to digestiveenzymes, which calm stomach spasms and break down proteins. 1 oz. fresh ginger in a cloth bag can be put in397