Here’s everything you need to know about how to use insecticidal soap to control insects. This is an effective and organic method for controlling aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Understanding and using insecticidal soaps properly will help you manage pests organically, both indoors and out. As you know, not all pesticides are alike. Some chemicals are more toxic, killing a broad range of species, while others are less toxic and more targeted. Insecticidal soaps are among the more targeted pesticides. They have limited impact on beneficial insects, birds, reptiles, fish, and other wildlife (including humans). By understanding and using insecticidal soaps effectively, you can combat common plant pests while protecting beneficial organisms. Why Use Insecticidal Soap? Break down the name and you see that insecticidal soap is literally a soap that kills insects. Insecticidal soaps offer a safe, effective, less-toxic alternative to harsh chemicals for managing garden and … [Read more...] about Use Insecticidal Soap to Control Insects
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How Do Mosquito Dunks Work?
You have probably heard of Mosquito Dunks. But how do Mosquito Dunks work? The answer is simple—even though it involves some science. Summit Mosquito Dunks kill mosquito larvae, before the larvae can develop into adult mosquitoes. I will explain exactly how Mosquito Dunks kill mosquito larvae in just a moment. But first it’s helpful to learn a little bit about mosquitoes. How Do Mosquito Dunks Work: Fast Facts About Mosquitoes It has been said that, ounce for ounce, mosquitoes are the deadliest creatures on planet Earth. An adult female mosquito weighs just 1/15,000 of an ounce (that’s about 2.0 milligrams). But despite mosquitoes’ tiny size, mosquito bites kill an estimated 1 million people worldwide each year. That’s because mosquitoes transmit some of the planet’s most deadly diseases including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile virus. Only female mosquitoes bite—and they bite people, animals, and birds. (Male mosquitoes feed solely on flower nectar.) When a … [Read more...] about How Do Mosquito Dunks Work?
Homestead Living Ideas
When it comes to homestead living ideas, it's all about a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. Use organic practices on the landscape and in the gardens. Make and use homemade compost in the family vegetable garden. Pay attention to energy efficiency in the design of buildings. And select appliances based on their efficient use of resources. The homestead and ranch life can also include raising chickens for a steady supply of fresh eggs. (This is true for large acreage properties and even in some suburban homes.) On larger ranch and homesteads, becoming more self-sufficient means drilling wells and installing backup water pumps. Here are some great products and homestead living ideas that make the ranch, homestead and self-sufficient lifestyle easier. For information about planting fruit trees on your homestead property, read Top Five Fruit Trees for some great advice. Also read How to Build an Instant Rusted Corrugated Metal Fence. Deep Well Hand Pump Keeps … [Read more...] about Homestead Living Ideas
Gifts for Gardeners this Holiday Season
Here is an assortment of perfect gifts for gardeners and homeowners on your holiday shopping list. Let's face it. The colder months of the holiday season do not lend themselves to gardening in most climates. But that doesn't mean gardening is completely out of mind. Avid gardeners and homeowners who must keep their yards neat and tidy appreciate garden-related gifts during "the most wonderful time of the year." It is actually quite easy to find great gifts for gardeners and homeowners. These folks always need something to satisfy their green thumbs, finish a DIY project, or add one more personal touch to the property. That's why the editors of Home, Garden and Homestead have put together their annual list of the best gifts for gardeners this holiday season. Heck, you might even want to give some of these gifts to yourself. Gifts for Gardeners: Tools The Ultimate Weeding Tools The CobraHead Weeder gets its name from the shape of the tempered steel blade, which … [Read more...] about Gifts for Gardeners this Holiday Season
Grow Your Best Garden Ever
Would you like to grow your best garden ever? Well, great gardens don’t just happen. They certainly do not magically appear in your yard. So, the sooner you plan and start your best garden ever, the sooner it will begin to manifest in your yard. A great garden is typically the result of careful planning. Most extraordinary gardens are created over a period of years using the garden plan. Add a few happy accidents that happen along the way, and you have the recipe for a special horticultural wonder that will be the envy of the neighborhood. Don’t Be Afraid of Small Failures Talk to experienced gardeners and garden experts, and most will freely admit to buying plants that did not survive in their gardens. Karen Park Jennings, the former president of Park Seed, once told me, “I’ve learned a lot by killing plants.” That’s part of being a gardener. Some gardeners will even admit that some of their favorite plants arrived as volunteers in their garden. One of the healthiest … [Read more...] about Grow Your Best Garden Ever
