of microscopic creatures) are really uncomfortable to soft-bodied pests. Sprinkle it around your prized plants that are getting attacked. It works best in dry conditions.
Mosquitos These blood-thirsty buzzers can really
interrupt an evening of fun.
• Cover up: Putting on lightweight, long- sleeved apparel will reduce the target area.
• Avoid their feeding times: Stay inside during their most active times during dusk and dawn.
• Swish standing pools of water: Mosqui- toes complete three stages of their life cycle in the water (egg, larva and pupa) in 4 to 14 days. Standing water must stay stagnant for a minimum of four days to support the life cycle. So if you eliminate the breeding site by disturb- ing the water – for example swishing it, using a pump to aerate water, or replacing standing water – you will reduce mosquito populations.
• Put up a bat signal: Invite natural predators of mosquitoes, such as bats, frogs, fi sh, turtles, birds and dragon- fl ies. Provide their habitat (such as a bat house) and get them working for you.
• Plant herbs and squeeze them: Cit- ronella (lemon balm, lemon grass), geranium, rosemary, marigolds, and lavender to name just a few help con- trol mosquitoes. Squeeze their leaves to further release their pungent odors which smell pleasant to us, but repul- sive to mozzies.
Aphids Aphids seem to always sneak up on me.
One day I’ll see one, and then the next day the entire plant is infested.
• Blast ‘em with water: Spraying aphids off mature, established plants with a strong squirt can control small aphid populations.
• Pinch ‘em: Again, small populations can be physically removed.
• Attract benefi cial insects: Ladybugs are the most well-known predator of aphids. Invite them over: you can buy ladybugs in bulk!
• Get sneaky: Yellow nasturtioums are a decoy for black aphids. Remove the plants and aphids before the insects begin to produce young with wings. Spearmint, stinging nettle, southern- wood, and garlic help repel aphids.
Moles, Voles, and Other Furry “Friends”
• Fence them out: Get inspired by the Peter Rabbit movie and dig deep with
your fence and prevent critters from burrowing under. Or for larger animals, go high with six- foot fences and netting.
• Trap them: Place appropriately- sized traps, especially next to walls where smaller critters like to run.
• Annoy them: Try sonic responders that emit signals that don’t sound good to certain creatures.
Meredith Sorensen is the Director of Communication for Harvest, a company that fuels a more sustain- able world where organic resources are harvested,
not wasted. Harvest New England (
http://www.harvestpower.com/ne | 860-674-8855 x101) provides top qual- ity soils, mulches and custom blends in Connecticut at our Fairfi eld, Farmington, Ellington, and Wallingford locations, and via delivery. See ad on page 5.
CT # 1587
CT # 7276
www.NaturalNutmeg.com
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