There are many ways to deter insects.
COUNTRYSIDE: I just got my Jan/Feb 04 issue and had to respond to the letter from Jarred Dobbs about using boron for killing ants, especially the line "I've never heard of it [boron] being used on crops, but it may be possible."I had visions of someone using a box or two of borax on their garden to kill ants or other insects. Boron is an important trace element for plant growth and creating a healthy soil, but just like a snake bite, natural doesn't always mean harmless. Too much boron in the soil can be toxic. In fact soil test recommendations usually call for no more than four pounds of elemental boron per acre, with most of the recommendations being more like one to two pounds per acre. If your garden is small, it could be very easy to overdo the boron in your zeal to get rid of those pesky ants. Don't overdo it!
And now that I'm at the computer writing, it's amazing how much more I want to comment on. First, I love the magazine! Secondly, the comment on Japanese beetles confused me for a moment--around here (Virginia) Japanese beetles are those beetles that eat up the roses and grapes, sometimes called June bugs. The ladybugs are called Asian ladybugs/ladybeetles, and yup, they do eat aphids and other garden pests and they are looking for a nice home over the winter. The best way to get rid of these guys in your house is to not let them in in the first place! Unless you spend a lot of time with your doors and screenless windows open, you've got energy-wasting cracks and other holes that they're coming in through. If they're coming in, you can bet that your heat is going out!
And finally, in response to Jake's letter on page 19 and others who have expressed similar sentiments: Farming/homesteading is hard, but there are many rewards too. Look on the sunny side of things and count your blessings, or all the bad stuff will make you bitter and drive you crazy (not to mention make kids want to leave the country life). If it were easy, folks would have never left the country for the city in the first place.--Amy K. Johnson, Johnson's Produce Patch, Long Island VA, csafarm@ lynchburg.net
* Talking about insect deterrents: you can easily find boric acid in drugstores--it's been recommended for use when you have roaches and other similar insects; see this site for more info: http://alsnetbiz.com/home improvement/boric_acid.html. However, like all chemicals, use with care and keep out of reach of children and pets.--Karen Isaacson; kareni@ terraceweb.com
* In response to your request for a way to eliminate the Japanese beetles, my best guess would be to try using a rather strong solution of a natural soap that in completely non-toxic. The soap I have in mind has amazing powers as it can safely be taken internally to rid one of yeast and/or parasites and it will also kill wasps, fire ants and roaches when sprayed on them, and fleas and lice on dogs. What I would do if I had that problem is mix a solution of the soap and water in a bucket and use a trombone sprayer to spray the outside of the house where they are. They will probably die from it and if not they will not like it and will leave. This soap is not sold in stores but if you are interested is getting some let me know and I will tell you how to buy some.--Ellen; elf2@icountry.net
* Regarding the last issue and the problem of Japanese beetles in the house. I have several answers.
Paint your house a dark color including window frames. Insulate and caulk like crazy. Have blinds? Keep them shut on the south and west sides of the house all day. Also spray the outside and inside of your glass doors (atrium or patio-type) with Raid Ant & Roach Spray. Kill any that you see near your doorways with your fingers. Yes, they stink, but so what?
We probably have 95% fewer bugs this year using these hints.--John, Sweetie & Heather Kniola, Vevay, IN
Raid is pretty toxic stuff. Here's a novel idea:
* I read the letter about those blasted beetles ... are they a pain or what?
I clean houses for a living and have cleaned out thousands of them from the floor lamps with the upturned bowl-shaped shades and nary a one running/flying amuck in the house.
Personally I let the guineas and chickens eat them before they make it to the house. I just turn the birds loose and point them in the right direction. Any that made it inside disappeared when "Stressful," one of our three laying hens was "half eaten" (half eaten because a fox only took chunks out of one side, and she lived and layed to tell about it).
My daughter was nursing her back to health in her room and would sneak Stress out of her cage when I was still at work. (Please don't tell my husband!) No more bugs in here--of any variety--including spiders.
Can't say I recommend turning chickens loose in the house, but if you're so inclined, it works!--Sonya McJilton; smcjilton@yahoo.com
* Ladybugs that crowd into your home each winter are an annoyance but they don't eat anything and are cosmetic at worst. To look for solutions, first get the names right and while we can skip the Latin, it would be the only way to separate what is called a Japanese beetle in the east and what you are calling a Japanese beetle.
The Japanese beetle here is a white grub in the ground causing extensive root damage and is easily controlled (though not cheaply) with Milky Spore disease and nematodes, as well as a lot of more powerful pesticides. More importantly it shows up in July around here and is gone in roughly three weeks leaving its favorite foods--like my hazelnuts--with lace-like leaves.
Ladybugs include both native (Native American?) species and many different species from around the world including both the Orient and Australia. They are wonderful friends in the garden for both flower growers and fruit and vegetable growers. So what is a guy to do? Just about every one of the many species may show up at your door and the USDA imported many of them in the past and will probably import more types in the future since they are really non-toxic pest eaters.
First they seem to prefer light colored buildings though my light gray house does attract some ladybugs as well as box elder bugs each fall. You are right about them finding any small crack but maybe you ought to thank them. There is heat going out those cracks all winter and water vapor depositing in the walls causing rot. Maybe some caulk both inside and out would help. I use clear caulk so it isn't so obvious until I get around to painting it. By the way, vacuuming them up and placing them into a bag or jar where you could save them in a cold spot until spring would give you a head start on next year's aphid control. It does take a special type of vacuum though.
I like the little rascals though in my last house (old and white), they certainly were numerous.--Eldon Winston, Eldgar2@aol.com
* I was amused by the letter from Robert Freund about ladybugs overtaking his home. Here in Florida, we buy ladybugs through the mail. Perhaps Robert could start his own mail order ladybug company. I have seen a program on tv about how to do it, but only recall that they used a special vacuum to collect them and kept them cool until they shipped them.--Nancy Westrom; mcstravel@aol.com
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Publication: | Countryside & Small Stock Journal |
|---|---|
| Article Type: | Letter to the editor |
| Date: | Mar 1, 2004 |
| Words: | 1291 |
| Previous Article: | Another form of log hauler. |
| Next Article: | "Bad apples" are nothing new. |