Pesticide Alternatives
In general, you can find solutions by searching on IPM or Integrated Pest Management. Search Here. Actually, some forms of IPM include pesticides. So, perhaps a better search would be “Pesticide Alternative”.
You can also find information and/or products at these websites: Stephen Tvedten, Get IPM, Safe Solutions, Safe2Use, Beyond Pesticides, Urban Garden Wholesale, Pesticide Action Network, and Pesticide Free Yard Signs.
I figure the pests you most want to get rid of are Ants, Roaches, Mosquitoes, and Mice, so I’m covering those in more detail here.
To get rid of Ants, you might want to try one of these solutions. To get rid of the ants for good, you need to get them to take the substance/solution back to the nest and feed it to the queen, killing her off, and thus the rest of the colony. Although most ants are good for the environment, they’re also one of the most populous insects. I take that into consideration when I try and wipe out a colony.
A) Boric Acid. Boric acid is toxic, so don’t use near pets or children. Also, the finer the boric acid, the better. And, the bigger the ant, the better - so I’ve found.
B) Diatomaceous Earth. Place a line of Diatomaceous Earth around your house to keep out the ants. Of course, you’ll have to reapply it when it rains.
C) Cream of Tartar. Same idea.
D) Chili Powder. Same idea. It may also keep mice away.
E) Salt, Pepper, Peppermint, Paprika, Chalk, Talc. Make lines of any of these and other substances listed above.
F) If you can find the nest, pour Boiling Water on it, or spray it with White Vinegar.
G) Tips from Earth Easy
To get rid of Roaches, you might want to try one of these solutions:
A) Place a bowl of water in the middle of the room. Place a tongue depressor, or similar ramp leading from the floor to the edge of the bowl. Turn off the lights and go to bed. The next morning you’ll have a bowl of drowned cockroaches. At least I heard that claim made by somebody. Hopefully it’s not a bowl you wish to use for anything else – ever.
B) Boric Acid. Same precautions and suggestions as above.
C) Cats. They make great cat toys.
D) Diatomaceous Earth. See above.
E) Silica.
F) Humor. OK, so it’s not a solution, but might make living with these beasts more tolerable. Read Ode to a Roach.
G) Tips from Earth Easy.
To get rid of Mosquitoes, you might want to try one of these solutions, after you’ve gotten rid of all standing water in your yard:
A) Mosquito Eaters:
• The Goblin Mosquito Eater
• Mosquito Magnet
• Mosquito Magnet available from Frontgate
B) Bacillus Thuringiensis subspecies Israaelenses – BTI - Commonly found in Mosquito Dunks, which can be placed in bodies of water.
C) Ultrasound Repeller
• Real Goods – Search for Mosquito
D) Lemongrass, Citronella, Eucalyptus, Cedar, and Peppermint Oils supposedly repel mosquitoes. It can be hard to find natural Citronella Oil. And, if you have MCS, you may have sensitivities to natural oils.
E) Cotton Mosquito Netting – Organic if you can find it
• Nature’s Child – Search for Mosquito
F) Bats. Build or Buy a Bat House
G) Dragonflies. Not recommended by some. Available from Safe Solutions.
H) Guppies – See your local Aquarium Store.
I) Purple Martins. Some people sware by them. Others say they actually increase the mosquito population.
J) Swallows, and other insect eating birds.
K) Tips from Earth Easy
Z) If you weren’t so sweet, the mosquitoes wouldn’t like you so much and would stop biting you :)
To get rid of Mice, you might want to try one of these solutions:
A) Mint Leaves.
B) Peppermint Oil on cotton balls.
C) Cat Hair.
D) Garlic.
E) Elderberry Juice.
F) Crown Imperial (Fritillaria).
G) Catnip.
H) Hot Peppers.