#naturalpestcontrol — Public Fediverse posts

Plant These 15 Perennials Once and Harvest For Years https://www.allforgardening.com/1905061/plant-these-15-perennials-once-and-harvest-for-years/ #BackyardGarden #CompanionPlanting #EdibleGardening #EdibleLandscaping #farm #farming #garden #GardenIdeas #GardenPlants #gardening #GardeningTips #GrowYourOwnFood #HerbGarden #HomeGardening #HomesteadGarden #MedicinalHerbs #NaturalPestControl #OrganicGardening #PlantingGuide #plants #RaisedGardenBed #SeasonalGardening #SmallSpaceGardening #Vegetable #VegetableGarden #VegetableGardening

California Garden TV: 4 Weird Products That Actually Work in the Garden https://www.allforgardening.com/1867040/california-garden-tv-4-weird-products-that-actually-work-in-the-garden/ #AspirinForTomatoes #AspirinInTheGarden #BestGardenProducts #BoneMeal #CaliforniaGardenTV #DiatomaceousEarth #GardenHacks #GardenIdeas #GardenProducts #GardenSecrets #GardenSupplies #GardenTips #gardening #GardeningForBeginners #GrowMoreTomatoes #gypsum #ImproveClaySoil #NaturalPestControl #OrganicGardening #SoilImprovement #TomatoFertilizer #TomatoGardening #VegetableGardening #VLog

The 4 Most Surprising Products I Use in My Garden https://www.diningandcooking.com/2719797/the-4-most-surprising-products-i-use-in-my-garden/ #AspirinForTomatoes #AspirinInTheGarden #BestGardenProducts #BoneMeal #DiatomaceousEarth #GardenHacks #GardenIdeas #GardenProducts #GardenSecrets #GardenSupplies #GardenTips #Gardening #GardeningForBeginners #GrowMoreTomatoes #gypsum #ImproveClaySoil #NaturalPestControl #OrganicGardening #SoilImprovement #TomatoFertilizer #TomatoGardening #VegetableGarden #VegetableGardenVideos #VegetableGardening #VegetableGardeningVideos

Gardener asks if huge hornworm is venomous, and learns it can defoliate a tomato plant overnight https://www.allforgardening.com/1821344/gardener-asks-if-huge-hornworm-is-venomous-and-learns-it-can-defoliate-a-tomato-plant-overnight-2/ #BrightGreenCaterpillar #garden #gardener #gardening #hawkmoths #hornworm #NaturalPestControl #TobaccoHornworms #TomatoPlant

I just came across this article here. Wow! Definitely going to give this method a try!

How to build a #mosquito kill bucket

Setting up a #LarvaTrap at home is an effective #MosquitoControl method.

by Debbie Wolfe
Published Jun 18, 2024

Materials

- Container: A five-gallon bucket or a similar-sized container
- Water: Preferably from a rain barrel to avoid chlorinated water
- Organic Material: Straw, hay, or even grass clippings to attract mosquitoes
- Mosquito Dunk: Contains Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bt-i), a bacterium harmful only to mosquito larvae

Directions

Prepare the container
Place the bucket in a sunny spot to keep it warm, accelerating the fermentation process.

Add organic material
Add a handful of organic matter, like leaves, grass clippings or hay to the bucket. This organic material begins to ferment, producing a scent that attracts female mosquitoes.

Add Water
Fill the bucket with water. If using tap water, let it sit for 24-48 hours to allow chlorine to evaporate, or use rainwater.

Let it ferment
Allow the mixture to sit for a few days until it starts to ferment, creating an irresistible breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Add Mosquito Dunk
Once mosquitoes have laid their eggs in the water, add a Mosquito Dunk to the mix. The Bt-i in the dunk will kill the mosquito larvae but leave other insects unharmed.

Place in a shady area
The bucket should be placed in a shady area, or any area where there are frequent issues with mosquitoes.

Maintenance
Regularly check the trap and add fresh water as needed to maintain the level. Replace the dunk every 30 days or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Optional enhancements

Covering: To prevent pets or wildlife from drinking from the mosquito kill bucket, cover it with chicken wire or a similar mesh.
Camouflage: If the bucket’s appearance is a concern, consider using a decorative cover or placing it discreetly under bushes.

Source:
https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-build-a-mosquito-kill-bucket/

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalPesticides #NaturalPestControl #MosquitoControl #BtDunks

Building #Resilience in Your #Garden for Challenges

April 17, 2024 by Hellen James

"Gardening can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s not without its challenges. From unpredictable weather patterns to pests and diseases, maintaining a thriving garden requires resilience. In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies to build resilience in your garden, ensuring it can withstand whatever challenges come its way.

Takeaways
1. Choose resilient plant varieties suited to your climate and soil conditions.
2. Improve soil health with #compost, #WormCastings, and cover crops to support plant resilience.
3. Implement water-efficient strategies such as #DripIrrigation and #rainwater harvesting to conserve water.
4. Utilize #NaturalPestControl methods like introducing beneficial insects and #CompanionPlanting.
5. Adapt to changing climate conditions by incorporating climate-resilient gardening practices.
6. Plan and prepare for each season to optimize plant growth and resilience.
7. Foster #biodiversity through companion planting and native plant selections to enhance garden resilience.
8. Create microclimates to tailor growing conditions to the specific needs of your plants.
9. #Mulch to suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and retain moisture for improved resilience.
10. Embrace #SustainableGardening practices to build long-term #resilience and environmental #stewardship.

Full article:
https://unifiedgarden.com/building-resilience-in-your-garden-for-challenges/

#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningChallenges #ClimateChangeGardening #EnvironmentalStewardship #RainwaterHarvesting #BuildingResiliency #FoodSecurity

#MDACF - What #Mainers are Asking About #JumpingWorms

February 25, 2026

'Following a recent two-day jumping worm workshop hosted by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), it is clear that jumping worms are a top concern for #Maine #gardeners and land managers. This event brought together a knowledgeable lineup of leading researchers from across North America to share the latest science and management strategies.

While the first established populations in the state were discovered as recently as 2014, these invasive pests are now considered widespread and have been confirmed in 13 of Maine's 16 counties. With hundreds of questions submitted by workshop registrants, several key themes emerged regarding how to identify, manage, and prevent the spread of these invasive worms.

Identification: "Is this a jumping worm?"

Many Mainers are concerned about distinguishing jumping worms from other species of earthworms.

- Monitor with a Mustard Drench: To see if jumping worms are present at your location, mix 1/3 cup of ground mustard with a gallon of water and pour it directly on the soil (in a forested setting, brush away leaf litter first); this irritates the worms and brings them to the surface for identification.
- The Timing: Because they are annuals (having a lifespan of only one year), juveniles appear in May and June and are very small and hard to identify. It is best to wait until late July or August to confirm their identity once they develop their distinctive collar.
- The Look: Look for a milky white or gray collar (clitellum) that is smooth, flat, and completely encircles the body like a ring. In contrast, European earthworms have a raised, saddle-shaped clitellum that only goes partway around.
- The Behavior: Jumping worms do not crawl like typical earthworms; they thrash vigorously and wriggle like snakes when touched.

Spread & Prevention: "How do I stop them?"

The most common way jumping worms move is through human activity, particularly the movement of soil, compost, mulch, and nursery plants.

- The "Hidden" Threat: The worms themselves die each winter, but they leave behind tiny, soil-colored cocoons that are nearly impossible to see.
- Arrive Clean, Leave Clean: Cocoons can hitchhike in the treads of #HikingBoots and #tires. Using boot brushes at trailheads and cleaning tools before moving between garden beds is essential.
- Plant Sales & Nursery Stock: When possible, choose bare-root plants and rinse the roots into a bucket to ensure no cocoons are hiding in the root ball.
- Contain and Return: Always dump the wash water and mud back onto the original site where you collected the plants or soil; this ensures you aren't accidentally moving "hitchhiking" cocoons to a new, uninfested area. If you need to dispose of the material, wash your gear over a bucket to capture the sediment, let the soil settle before pouring off the water, and once the remaining mud dries, bag and #solarize it (heating it to at least 104F) before putting it in the trash.

Things you can do right now:

- #Solarization: In Maine, this works best in the peak of summer when the sun is strongest. Spread a thin layer of infested soil, about 6-8 inches deep, onto a #DarkTarp and cover it with a clear drop cloth, sealing the edges to create a "package." Place a simple soil thermometer in the center to track temperature. Research suggests reaching 104F for at least two hours can kill the worms and egg-containing cocoons. If you don't have a soil thermometer, plan to leave the covered soil in full sun for at least three days. On clear, hot summer days, a thin layer will often reach target temperatures within one to two days, but the extra time helps ensure consistent heating throughout the pile and improves your chances of success.
- Hand Removal: For small populations, you can hand-pick worms and drop them into a bucket of soapy water to kill them."

Learn more:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=13343933

#SolarPunkSunday #Gardening #MaineGardens #Compost #NaturalPestControl #NaturalPestSolutions #InvasiveSpecies #InvasiveSpeciesWeek
#MaineDepartmentOfAgricultureConservationAndForestry

So, since we had a really dry summer last year, I'm collecting water in rain barrels to water the garden and conserve our well-water. However, as I discovered recently, rain barrels can be places where mosquitoes can breed. So I put a thin layer of old olive oil (leftover from soap making) on top. I checked on both rain barrels today -- no #mosquitoes!

"Rain Barrels and Mosquito Pests

While using a rain barrel in the garden is great for water conservation among its other benefits, mosquitoes are a constant threat, as they carry life-threatening diseases. Learning how to control mosquitoes in a rain barrel is just as important to controlling them anywhere else, especially since the pests take advantage of standing water to help carry out their life cycle. Here are some things you can do to minimize their presence:

- Dish soap– Liquid dish soap creates a slick film on the surface of the water. When mosquitoes attempt to land, they drown before they have time to lay eggs. Use natural soap and avoid products with perfume or degreasers, especially if you water your plants with rain water. One or two tablespoons of liquid soap per week is plenty for most rain barrels.

- Mosquito dunks– Also known as mosquito donuts, mosquito dunks are round cakes of Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), a naturally occurring bacteria that provides mosquito control in rain barrels as it slowly dissolves. However, it is safe for beneficial insects. Be sure the product label indicates the dunks are formulated for ponds because other types, which kill caterpillars, aren’t effective in water. Replace the dunks as needed. Check them after a hard rain.

- Vegetable oil– Oil floats on the surface of the water. If mosquitoes attempt to land, they suffocate in the oil. Use about a quarter cup of oil per week. You can use any type of oil, including olive oil. Horticultural oil or dormant oil are also effective for preventing mosquitoes in rain barrels."

Read more at Gardening Know How: Mosquito Control In Rain Barrels: How To Control Mosquitoes In A Rain Barrel https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/mosquito-control-in-rain-barrels.htm

#SolarPunkSunday #NoPesticides #OliveOil #Organic #RainBarrels #Mosquito #MosquitoControl #NaturalPestControl