CHAPTER 11 - The Best Control 2

Menthol - can be used to kill mites and/or repel ticks. Put a line of Vapo Rub ® where you do not want mites orticks to cross. Renew as needed.Mescal or coral bean (Sophora secundiflora) - Powdered seeds of this flowering shrub are toxic to armywormsand other insects.Metal Nit or Flea Combs - and a little patience and baby oil or soapy water will safely control lice and/or fleas.Methyl Carbitol - Make a wax or paraffin slurry with 5% - 10% methyl carbitol to repel imported fire ants, otherinsects and vertebrate pests.Methylene Blue - C 16H 18CIN 3S.3H 2O used as a dye, as a bacteriological and biological stain will sterilize termites(and other insects) that eat it.Microbial Pesticides - are alternative control products whose active ingredient is a living organism, bacteria,viruses, fungi and nematodes; some 1500 such agents have been found, e.g.: Agrobacterium radiobacter -This bacterium is used to prevent the development of bacterial crown gall (Agrobacterium tummefasciens).The “good” microbe colonizes roots and steps, supposedly preventing infection for 1 - 2 seasons. Bacilluspopillae - (better known as milky spore) is a popular agent used against the larvae of Japanese beetle. Bacillussphaericus - is a microbe used for mosquito control in dirty water habitats. Bascillus subtilis - is used as a seedinoculant to prevent damping-off in cotton, peanuts and beans. Bacillus thuringiensis - is probably the oldestand best known of biological pesticides. There are many strains of this bacterium. Beauvaria bassiant - Thisfungus is used to control aphids, leafhoppers, thrips, whiteflies and mealybugs. Collectotrichum gloeosporioidesspp. aeshynomene - This specie of anthracnose is used to control northern jointvetch. Collectotrichum gloeosporioidesspp. malvae - is used to control mallow in various field crops. Entomophaga maimaiga - This Asianfungus is used to control gypsy moth populations. Nuclear Polyhedrosis Viruses - This series of viruses is usedto control many types of caterpillars. Phytophthora palmivora - This water mold is used to control strangler vinein Florida’s citrus groves. Puccinia cannliculata - This rust species is used to control yellow nutsedge. Streptomycesgriseoviridis - This microbe, discovered in Finnish peat bogs, is used as a fungicide and try to preventseveral root diseases. Trichoderma harzianum - In the soil it colonizes roots and is used to control Pythium andPhytophthora rot. Verticillium lecanii - can be used to control aphids and whitefly.MICROBIAL INSECTICIDES Bacillus thuringensis, (Dipel, Thuricide, Attack, Catapiller Killer), M-OneAdvantages: Selective; non-toxic to wildlife and humans; may establish and provide control in the future.Disadvantages: Controls only one certain species or group of insects; broken down by the elements sotiming is critical; special storage or application procedures may be necessary.See Enzyme Cleaners.Microbial Plant Inoculants - including rhizobia bacteria, Mycorhizzae azolla, Axotobacter, etc. Make sure theydo not contain any prohibited substances.Microbes - Safe Solutions, Inc. microbes (liquid/freeze-dried) can be extremely helpful in controlling pest problems,removing muck and odors, but be careful when you mix them as they are easily killed by chlorine, flouideand other disinfectants.Microwave - Nuke ‘em. While this may seem very satisfying to us humans and is environmentally sound, themethod is not recommended. The reasons are as follows: The microwaves heat up the infested material andthe subsequent heat could damage the object. To kill an insect, there must be at least 75% relative humidity inthe oven. To increase the humidity to such a level would also risk severe damage to the infested article. Youcan sterilize fully soaked rags and sponges in a microwave for 2 minutes, but some sponges can burst intoflames. See Clothes Dryer.Milk - If you spray fresh milk twice a week, diluted one part milk to nine parts of water, it will stop powdery mildew,e.g., Sphaerotheca fuliginea, faster and better than “registered” fungicide poisons. Milk can also be usedto control various mosaic viruses, a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi.Milk Jugs - The top half of a plastic milk jug makes a funnel or a scoop or use the top half as a mini-greenhouse;the cap can be removed to make a vent.414