Looking for a way to kill fungus gnats naturally? Sooner or later you will have to deal with fungus gnats infesting your houseplants. Fungus gnats are the tiny flying pests that can swarm like an annoying black cloud whenever an infested houseplant or outdoor potted plant is moved. Fungus gnats (Bradysia species) are small, mosquito-like insects that commonly infest the soil or growing medium of potted plants. When outdoor plants are brought indoors for the colder months, fungus gnats in the potting mix are brought indoors. That's when they can quickly infest the soil of other houseplants. Fungus gnats thrive in moist potting soil, where they lay their eggs. After the eggs hatch, fungus gnat larvae live in the top two to three inches of the potting soil. Fungus gnat larvae can cause plant damage by eating plant roots. After about two or three weeks, the fungus gnat larvae pupate in the potting soil. Then they become the tiny black adult gnats that fly erratically when a potted … [Read more...] about Kill Fungus Gnats Naturally with BTI
Natural Insect Control Uses Mother Nature
Natural insect control has gone mainstream. An increasing number of homeowners, gardeners and homesteaders are teaming up with Mother Nature to kill and control insect pests. Using natural insect control can take many forms. But natural insect control typically involves encouraging Mother Nature to fight insects by using organic and environmentally friendly control methods. The growing interest in less chemically intensive, natural and organic living has resulted in a dramatic increase in eco-friendly product choices. The products below prove that you can kill insect pests without resorting to using harsh chemicals. Mother Nature’s mosquito control uses BTI to kill mosquitoes Homeowners looking for an effective way to control pesky, disease-spreading mosquitoes don’t have to resort to harmful chemicals. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in pools of standing water. That's why the first step in controlling mosquitoes is to eliminate standing water wherever … [Read more...] about Natural Insect Control Uses Mother Nature
Oven Roasted Parmesan Potatoes
Delicious recipes don’t have to be difficult to prepare. In fact, great chefs will tell you some of their best dishes are the easiest ones to make. That’s certainly the case with Oven Roasted Parmesan Potatoes. This is a great side dish to complement virtually any meal, and it’s quite simple to make. Too often (especially in restaurants), potatoes are fried. The result is a greasy mess that doesn’t taste like potatoes at all. But roasting potatoes brings out their natural taste, and the roasting process gives potatoes just the right amount of oven crispness. This recipe is especially great for flavorful homegrown potatoes! Bonus: make your meal extra healthy by serving a tasty side of cooked lambsquarter and purslane along with the potatoes. Oven Roasted Parmesan Potatoes Recipe Ingredients 2 pounds of potatoes (There’s nothing wrong with using one variety of potato such as Yukon Gold. But to make this a fancier dish, use an assortment of different-colored fingerling … [Read more...] about Oven Roasted Parmesan Potatoes
Natural ways to Keep your Dog Healthy
In case you haven’t noticed, Americans are pet crazy. There are almost 90 million dogs and more than 94 million cats living in our homes. According to statistica.com, a whopping 68 percent of all U.S. households owned pets, and that’s up from 56 percent in 1988. It’s estimated that the average pet owner spends $477 dollars a year just on food treats for their pets. Keeping our pets healthy and happy is certainly driving the increase in the sales of natural pet products such as natural pet foods. But natural pet food isn’t the only growth area in the natural pet products industry. Pet owners also trying other natural pet products, including healthy dog treats, vitamins and supplements, shampoos, and more. In this story, we highlight some great natural choices for dogs. (We’ll cover natural cat products in a different story.) Top natural dog food As people choose a more natural diet for themselves, they also tend to start looking for natural foods for their dogs. Finding the … [Read more...] about Natural ways to Keep your Dog Healthy
5 Ways to Revitalize Your Garden in Summer
Ah, the lazy days of summer. The hot sun inspires all sorts of fun, but for our gardens, it can take a toll. Notice that your garden, so lush, colorful and beautiful only a few weeks ago, is looking pretty hot and tired these days? Never fear: here are some easy ways to revitalize your garden in summer. Plant Late Summer – Early Fall Blooming Plants When gardeners get that springtime planting bug, we tend to plan our gardens around late-spring and early summer, so our gardens look fantastic April-June, but then wither away come July. Solve that problem now by planting perennials that bloom in late summer through fall for a much-needed second wave of color. Some plants to consider include purple asters, penstemon, and certain long-blooming varieties of roses. Knockout Roses, are a popular low-maintenance choice. You can find a wide selection of them at NatureHillsNursery.com. Mid-summer can be a very harsh time to plant, however, so follow these tips to give your new plants the … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Revitalize Your Garden in Summer
