Non-Toxic Ways to Get Rid of Four Garden Pests
Sep 7, 2010; 8:56 AM ET
Gardeners usually try to embrace nature as much as possible. They live with the soil under their fingernails, welcome the rain as much as sun, and invite birds and bees into their yard. Yet they also try to avoid, as vehemently as possible, some of nature's not so-savory aspects. Because the good, like rose blooms and apple blossoms, always comes with the bad, like aphids and rodents.
Often we turn to extreme measures to get rid of our four-legged and two-winged "friends." A friend of mine recently told me that her mom bought a BB gun to use on the squirrels eating her apricots. While I'm not totally convinced she's up for the task of blowing a squirrel's brains out (they are kinda cute), I did remember how close I was to reaching for my grandma's air pistol when I saw a big rat in my blackberry bush. Guarding the fruits of one's labor can make even a pacifist turn quite violent.
Yet the poison and death route can get more than a little messy, and can sometimes even be toxic for the animals we do want like Fido or Kitty. So what to do? Are there more natural or safer ways to get rid of the critters that plague our landscapes?
Gophers
Pocket gophers leave a telltale sign of activity--mounds of fresh dirt in garden beds or on lawns. (Remember Caddyshack?) As they tunnel beneath the surface, they can disrupt patches of lawn, pull down small plants into their burrows, and eat the roots of vegetables and ornamentals. The best way to stop pocket gophers from eating your greens and bulbs is to line the bed or planting area with chicken wire. Dig down one or two feet and line the entire area--making sure there are no holes--with chicken wire. Stabilize sides with wooden posts and then fill in the hole with the soil you're using.
You're up against more of a battle with the gophers in already planted areas, like a big lawn. Traps are the most effective way to catch the critters, but you do have to deal with body disposal. There are many animals that prey on gophers--cats, dogs, raccoons, coyotes, hawks, and owls among them. Setting up a barn owl box can encourage these predators to visit your yard. Note that if you do use poison, like strychnine, you can also poison the predator that eats the gopher.
Brie Cadman for DivineCaroline.com
Do It Yourself Live Feed
-
Spring Bugs Are No Laughing Matter
RenovateYourWorld.com - May 21, 2012; 11:25 AM ET
Take extra precaution to ensure that dangerous bugs like ticks and nuisance insects like ants do not spoil your spring fun.
-
Wild Food Alert: Ramping up for Spring
Care2.com - May 16, 2012; 2:06 PM ET
Ramps can only be grown in the wild, never domesticated, so why not hunt some down rather than pay up to $8 a handful?
-
A Broken Bat Blunder
- May 11, 2012; 12:58 PM ET
One man's broken bat is another man's treasure. Here are some ideas for recycling broken bats for other projects.
-
Make Lightning in Your Mouth
AccuWeather.com - May 11, 2012; 9:08 AM ET
Why should Mother Nature have all the fun?
-
How to Build a Flower Box
RenovateYourWorld.com - May 10, 2012; 12:28 PM ET
Western red cedar was used to construct this window flower box project in one day. The naturally weather- and insect-resistant qualities of western red cedar wood make it an ideal choice for outdoor use.
-
Garage Organization: Whip Your Garage into Shape
DivineCaroline.com - May 10, 2012; 9:41 AM ET
Garage cleanups are a lot of work, but they pay off big time.
-
Creating the Perfect Mother's Day
Care.com - May 10, 2012; 8:58 AM ET
Is it so bad to want to be alone on Mother's Day? Here are five ways to make yourself the priority - at least one day a year.
-
What I Really Want for Mother's Day
Care.com - May 10, 2012; 8:43 AM ET
Mom bloggers share their wish lists as part of the Care.com Interview Series.
Spring Bugs Are No Laughing Matter
Take extra precaution to ensure that dangerous bugs like ticks and nuisance insects like ants do not spoil your spring fun.
Home & Garden > Do It Yourself ProjectsSoil Moisture Forecast
Excellent Soil moisture conditions make this an ideal day for crop growth.
more >Construction Forecast
Very Good Conditions will be very good for outside construction projects.
more >
Press Day at Chelsea 2012
This is THE show you want to be at to see the very latest in the horticultural world.
Home & Garden > Gardening













