Elder Sister Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I need some information. And y'all are the smartest people I know.I'm getting my beehives either this weekend or next weekend, depending on the weather. In the meantime, I have to get termite treatment (as a preventative) and am reading up on the possible issues it can have with bees. I 'think' I'm in the clear, because I don't have blooming plants right up next to my foundation.But what about other, natural bug repellent/killers? I live in a jungle, basically. What are my options other than an anteater and some praying mantises (which freak me out)? Besides my bees, I don't want to use anything that's going to hurt all of the lizards, frogs, turtles, etc. that live around my place. Other than spiders, I actually like creepy crawlies. When I get the chickens next year, that will definitely help. What do some of you crunchy nature types advise for now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mance Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 We used to get some brand of organic, mint-based, spray for wasp and hornet nests as well as all sorts of ants. Killed them ded. And I know mint plants are popular around foundations for ant repellent/deterrent. It may work on termites too. Also. eta: link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lummel Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 ...When I get the chickens next year, that will definitely help. What do some of you crunchy nature types advise for now? I've read in the blog of a woman trying to run a small holding in New York State that if you have chickens, you need ducks to eat the parasites that plague the chickens (and you need a Llama, but that would have gone without saying but for the fact that I typed it anyhow). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrum Aeternum Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I don't have an answer for you ES but this is also relevant to my interests, so I'm curious what the board comes up with. I have about an acre of backyard that abuts a large vacant tract (which the owner only mows about twice a year) on one side and woods on the other. So with all that vegetation I have recurring problems with outdoor bugs, and like you I would prefet pest control options that leave out harmful chemicals. We used to get some brand of organic, mint-based, spray for wasp and hornet nests as well as all sorts of ants. Killed them ded. And I know mint plants are popular around foundations for ant repellent/deterrent. It may work on termites too. This looks promising for ants and wasps - I ordered a can to try. My real bugaboo (no pun intended) is mosquitoes. In spring and summer I have to coat myself in nasty repellent to enjoy a quiet evening on my back patio free of those evil little bloodsuckers. I've tried things like citronella candles but they seem to have little or no effect. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elder Sister Posted May 28, 2015 Author Share Posted May 28, 2015 Ferrum, I have had no luck with mosquitoes other than Deep Woods Off. And I know that stuff cannot be good for me, but I am outside constantly and the mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks love me. I am also battling some lovely poison ivy right now. It's hard being outdoorsy sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrum Aeternum Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Ferrum, I have had no luck with mosquitoes other than Deep Woods Off. And I know that stuff cannot be good for me, but I am outside constantly and the mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks love me. That's what I use as well, and yes, it is putrid. While looking around Amazon (building off Mance's suggestion above) I found this stuff which I'd never seen before, so I went ahead and ordered a bottle of that to try out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elder Sister Posted May 28, 2015 Author Share Posted May 28, 2015 Let me know how it works. I am constantly applying deep woods Off - Being outside in the summer in the south you have to, or the mosquitoes will tote you away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ser Scot A Ellison Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Two blocks of wood.:PTerminex put bait traps around our home for termite control instead of sprays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astromech Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I am by no means an expert, but I've read that diatomaceous earth and boric acids act as desiccants to insects and are effective I preventing termites and other types of insects.. They are both harmless to pets and children but you have to be sure to keep the diatomaceous earth and boric acid dry for it to be effective. There are also beneficial nematodes, or worms, and ants that eat termites. My friend used praying mantises in his garden and saw positive results in combating pests. As far as mosquitoes are concerned, the best solution to combat them is removing stagnant water from your property. It sounds like it may be difficult where you live Elder Sister. There are a number of predators like bats, dragonflies, birds and mosquito larvae-eating fish, but the damage they do to mosquito populations is really insignificant as a form of population control. The most effective solution is removing pools of stagnant water. Gutters, garbage cans, bird baths, keeping your grass mowed with proper run-off for water, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry of the Lawn Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 ES, I'd avoid spinosad or spinosyn products: even though they can be organic, they can be harmful to bee larvae. Not sure if the effects of BT have been studied much on bees but definitely ask around the beek telegraph and see if it's considered safe. The spray has a bacteria in it that disrupts larval insects' digestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elder Sister Posted May 28, 2015 Author Share Posted May 28, 2015 Yeah - the stagnant water thing is going to be a bit hard to manage. I do change out the water in my bird bath every day, but I live right next to a pond, and I have a lake about 2 miles behind my house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astromech Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Yeah that would be problem. The positive of the pond and lake attracting predators is outweighed by the negative of also providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes. As long as you wouldn't be violating any laws, I would try stocking the pond with tadpoles and fish that feed on mosquito larvae(goldfish, guppies, and the aptly named mosquito fish). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prue Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Do you have problems with Varroa bee-parasites? I heard that there's a 'bee sauna' device now which heats up the temperature in beehives till the varroa dies, as bees are more resilient against heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelticBrennus Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I'm getting my beehives either this weekend or next weekend, depending on the weather. In the meantime, I have to get termite treatment (as a preventative) and am reading up on the possible issues it can have with bees. I 'think' I'm in the clear, because I don't have blooming plants right up next to my foundation. There are two basic types of termite treatments. One involves the injection and spraying of a truly impressive amount of pesticide into the ground around the home. It works fantastically well and for an extremely long time. The other way is to get termite bait stations installed. The bait stations work great, and will not harm any other insects, but need to be inspected on a annual basis (at least). We used to get some brand of organic, mint-based, spray for wasp and hornet nests as well as all sorts of ants. Killed them ded. And I know mint plants are popular around foundations for ant repellent/deterrent. It may work on termites too. If you are just looking for something to spray and kill assorted bugs on contact you can mix a couple tablespoons of dish soap in a plastic pint trigger bottle and spray them with that. Way cheaper then the snake oil sold by all those organic essential oil products. It will definitely not work on termites. Not a chance in hell. My real bugaboo (no pun intended) is mosquitoes. In spring and summer I have to coat myself in nasty repellent to enjoy a quiet evening on my back patio free of those evil little bloodsuckers. I've tried things like citronella candles but they seem to have little or no effect. Any ideas? Find and drain the standing water in the area they are breeding in. Otherwise you are basically SOL. I am by no means an expert, but I've read that diatomaceous earth and boric acids act as desiccants to insects and are effective I preventing termites and other types of insects.. DE is a desiccant, but generally less effective then the silica gel products. Boric acid is a stomach poison thats mainly effective on roaches. Neither will help at all in preventing termites. They are both harmless to pets and children but you have to be sure to keep the diatomaceous earth and boric acid dry for it to be effective. There are also beneficial nematodes, or worms, and ants that eat termites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrum Aeternum Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Find and drain the standing water in the area they are breeding in. Otherwise you are basically SOL. Right - I've identified places in my yard where water stands for any length of time and eliminated those. It's likely the source of standing water is the vacant field (not my property) behind my house. Next time I see that dude I'll mention it to him. It could also be from the neighbors' yards on either side. Point being - I may have limited control over the mosquito breeding grounds, ergo, SOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreamSongs Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Outside of keeping no standing water and trimming back the jungle, there aren't many options for mosquitoes. Since West NIle came about (where I live), they do go through the areas close to ponds and spray everything they can reach from the street to keep the jungle back a little. All you can do is get yourself and the pets inside when you see that truck coming because it stops for no one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alarich Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Not very ecological, but... Mosquito larvae live on the water surface: a few drops of soap in to the pond or puddle - just enough to break the surface tension of the water - and the little fuckers drown before they ever become full grown blood suckers... ETA: that's not going to help with a big lake (obviously); for small surfaces like rain water barrels etc., a few drops suffice, and those are dilluted enough to do no Lasting damage to fish and other animals (although everyone relying on surface tension will drown). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyron Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Not very ecological, but... Mosquito larvae live on the water surface: a few drops of soap in to the pond or puddle - just enough to break the surface tension of the water - and the little fuckers drown before they ever become full grown blood suckers... ETA: that's not going to help with a big lake (obviously); for small surfaces like rain water barrels etc., a few drops suffice, and those are dilluted enough to do no Lasting damage to fish and other animals (although everyone relying on surface tension will drown).Does this work with soft soap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weeping Sore Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Neem oil is said to work for termites. I'm sure they've got a lot of bugs in India, so if they use it there, maybe it's worth a shot... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azadirachta_indica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tears of Lys Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 WHY, I say, oh, WHY did everyone ignore my oh-so excellent suggestion of guinea fowl for insect control? They will clean your property right up! Plus, they're cute too. Exhibit A ----> http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/raising-guinea-fowl-zmaz92aszshe.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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