Quick Tip from Metro Atlanta Landscape (Formally Harbor Bay Landscaping)

[Harbor Bay Landscaping]

Harsh chemicals may kill bugs quickly, but they may be worse for your yard in the long run. This is because they also kill the beneficial insects that naturally control the harmful ones. A yard without ‘good’ insects is an invitation for the ‘bad’ ones to invade and destroy at will.

 

So, here are some environmentally friendly suggestions to try before resorting to chemical pesticides.

 

- Plant flowers and herbs that attract ‘good’ bugs. These include fennel, marigold, cilantro and alyssum.

 

- Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth around plants. Diatomaceous Earth is composed of sharp, tiny sea shells that prevent slugs and other soft-skinned creatures from reaching your plants and flowers.

 

- Dust sulfur on and around plants to kill fungus and mites.

 

- Slugs and snails can’t cross copper strips, so they can be used to keep these insects away from plants and trees. Special landscaping copper strips are available for this purpose.

 

- If leaf-eating caterpillars and mosquitoes are a problem, there is a bacteria called Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) that acts as a stomach poison.

 

- If poison is needed, try Neem. This is a natural pesticide made from an East Indian tree.

[afriendlygeek]

Harsh chemicals may kill bugs quickly, but they may be worse for your yard in the long run. This is because they also kill the beneficial insects that naturally control the harmful ones. A yard without 'good' insects is an invitation for the 'bad' ones to invade and destroy at will.

 

So, here are some environmentally friendly suggestions to try before resorting to chemical pesticides.

 

- Plant flowers and herbs that attract 'good' bugs. These include fennel, marigold, cilantro and alyssum.

 

- Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth around plants. Diatomaceous Earth is composed of sharp, tiny sea shells that prevent slugs and other soft-skinned creatures from reaching your plants and flowers.

 

- Dust sulfur on and around plants to kill fungus and mites.

 

- Slugs and snails can't cross copper strips, so they can be used to keep these insects away from plants and trees. Special landscaping copper strips are available for this purpose.

 

- If leaf-eating caterpillars and mosquitoes are a problem, there is a bacteria called Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) that acts as a stomach poison.

 

- If poison is needed, try Neem. This is a natural pesticide made from an East Indian tree.

 

According to my wife, the only good bug is a dead bug.