BUGS AND INSECTS
( Many highly effective organic, biocontrol, and natural predator products are available and are a healthier alternative to toxic pesticides. )

Ants- Ants are often attracted to other insects and items in and around the garden so it is important to clean up areas and not leave food or garbage lying around. Nests are usually found under wood or pots and in grassy areas. Ant baits, essential oils like cinnamon and lavender and boiling water can be used to remove ant nests. Uncle Albert's Super Smart Ant Bait This environmentally sound approach to ant pest control is 100% effective. The extremely low level of toxicity means it can be used with safety and confidence around children, pets, elderly and sick individuals.

Aphids- These small sucking insects attack many tender leaf plants. Their feeding causes leaves to curl, and the sticky honey dew that aphids excrete supports sooty mold development. Aphids are capable of spreading virus diseases, and they spread rapidly so they should be treat as soon as possible. Inspect under leafs and around new growth tops Isolate infested plants when possible. Treat by washing plant with Safe plant soap solutions

Caterpillars - Handpick and remove caterpillars, they may eat alot of foliage but soon they will be butterflys so it is best to find them a new home.

Slugs and Snails - Eliminate attractive sites for snails, Collect and remove slugs and snails in the evening or at night. Various snail bait products are available in pet safe and eco-friendly versions. Apply bait late in the day or evening around infested areas.

Pillbugs Sowbugs- People often think that Pillbugs or Sowbugs are eating the live plants, however pillbugs are for the most part scavengers feeding on dead or decaying plants and materials. Some species may eat live plants, but they are usually not the problem they are blamed for in the garden. Remove dead or decaying plant matter and leafs from the area, and if needed you can trap them with a half of a cantaloupe that's placed upside down where pill bugs are a problem.

Springtails- Springtails like moist areas and eat mostly decaying plant material and fungus but may also eat seedlings. Remove moist piles of plant matter or Mulch if infested.

Millipede-Millipedes also feed primarily on decaying organic matter, but may attack roots and leaves of young plants, Millipedes can infest an area in great numbers and may require a pestide drench to control. Millipedes do not bite like Centipedes who often share the same environments. These are not insects and although many insecticides list them on the lable, other specialty products are available for controlling both.

Fungus Gnats- Too much water creates an ideal habitat for these pests. Do not overwater and remove moist piles of plant matter and mulch that attract these insects

Whiteflys- Move infested plants away from other plants and remove whiteflies from the plant using a cotton swab moistened in alcohol.

Scale- Inspect plant leafs and stocks for scale infestasions. Scale maybe difficult to control and there is no simple cure for a scale infestation. Picking off individual scales or dabbing each scale with a cotton swab moistened in alcohol can be alot of work if the infestation is large. Nematodes are said to be effective and may also be applied directly to the plants leaf and stock and kept moist. Cryptolaemus ontmuzieri is a small black lady bug that eats scale and other garden pests, but if all else fails it maybe time to replace the plant.

Spider Mites- Spider mites reproduce rapidly especially in green houses or indoors. Frequently inspect plants for mite populations, under the leaf you may see tiny mites and yellow or rust spots usually appear on the surface of the plant. Use predator insects to control spider mite infestations, or insectiside soaps to wash them from the plant.


Flys, Mosquitos, and visible insects
Hot Pepper Wax is a natural insecticide that works effectively on soft bodied insects. It repels for up to 30 days and has a transparent film barrier that protects against insects including aphids, white flies, thrips, mealy bugs, codling moths, leaf hoppers, scales, lace bugs and army worms.

Garlic Barrier is a strong liquid garlic extract that can be safely sprayed on farm and garden plants to repel insects. The garlic odor dissipates within a half hour of application and it does not impart any garlic taste to the crops. Garlic Barrier is listed by OMRI as suitable for organic farm use and is completely safe for humans, pets, animals and fish. GB is an ideal alternative to harmful pesticides, which indirectly end up killing over 65 million birds every year. GB is absorbed into a plant on a systemic level, making it effective over longer periods of time. GB does not work as a poison, but it removes the primary feeding sources from insects and other pests.

Rats
A Rat infestation can be a serious problem, they can eat virtually anything to survive. They breed quickly and can produce anywhere from 40 to 100 offspring in a year. Rapid reproduction rates and an unbending will to survive make the rat a formidable pest. They are known to carry many diseases or act as vectors, spreading contagions to the humans that they gravitate toward. They are extremely cunning and can avoid many types of traps, however, the hungrier they become, the more daring their behavior. Use standard wooden traps where possible and remove food sources like fruit or vegetables left in the yard.

Rode-Trol is a unique, effective, non-toxic rat and squirrel bait. It takes advantage of peculiarities in the rodent digestive system. The bait physically disrupts the water absorption mechanism, causing the rodent to become lethargic and enter into a coma to die. The bait is composed of non-toxic, 100% natural vegetable material that will not harm pets, livestock or non-target wildlife. Safe to use around children and biodegradable, this rodent bait is the most effective safe treatment.

Gophers and Moles
People are confused about the difference between Gophers and Moles. Moles are insectivores they eat earthworms, bugs, larvae, grubs, spiders, centipedes and only occasionally nibble on greens and roots. Most of the time, they do very little damage other than through their tunneling, unearthing plants and exposing root systems. How can you tell a gopher from a mole? Gopher mounds have dirt pushed off to one side of the mound while moles have a volcano effect with the center at the entrance to the tunnel (usually plugged up). Poisons do not work on moles! They must be trapped and moved away. Gophers can do a great deal of damage, and eat many plants. Spreading horse manure over your lawn and plants occasionally will help deter gophers as they do not like manure.