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Coping with Bugs in the Home and Garden

ladybug on a flower bud

a ladybug on my argyrathemum

Image Credit:
Amy Vervoort
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Midsummer is the time when insects make themselves most known—indoors and out. If you find unwanted creatures in your house or garden, don’t reach for the poisons. Cope with bugs with safer methods for your household environment.

Ants

It’s always as good idea to try to peacefully coexist with insects such as ants. But if they become a problem in your yard or garden, try these tips:

  • For only one or two hills, sprinkle instant grits on the anthill. When the ants take them to the nest, the queen and workers eat them, and the grains swell up and kill them. It will take about two days before all activity stops.
  • Or, make bands of crushed eggshells along walkways to keep them from crossing.

More Bug Tips

  • Aphids on your garden plants can be knocked off with frequent, strong streams of water from the garden hose. See more about controlling Aphids.
  • If you notice yellow-and-black-striped Colorado potato beetles or the metallic-blue-green Japanese beetles crawling on your plants, put down a dropcloth and, in the early morning when they’re most active, shake them off and dump them into a bucket of soapy water.
  • If a colony of yellow jackets sets up housekeeping in your lawn, watch them from a distance to find their underground doorway. At night, when they’re not active, place a large glass casserole dish or salad bowl over the hole and weight it down with a brick. The wasps will be forced to exit elsewhere and usually won’t return.
  • Herbs can be used for pest control. Wormwood, yarrow, santolina, tansy, mint, and lavender are traditional moth repellents. Oil of rosemary also can be effective.
  • If it’s your pet that’s bothered, try putting a drop of lemon oil on his collar for flea control.

See more on staying ahead of garden pests.

Do you have any tips on dealing with pests in the home and garden? Please share below!

Garden Pests

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the digital home of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. She leads digital editorial strategy and publishing across a wide range of Almanac sub...

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Pegster</span> Tue, 07/10/2012 - 09:33
I found that pouring an entire bottle of PineSol down a yellow jacket nest solves the problem. Do this at night when they are not active.
<span>Aestell</span> Thu, 05/10/2012 - 19:58
I live in Oklahoma. This is my first year with a vegetable garden of my own, so I started small, but I have a small row of potatoes. I have not seen any bugs, but there are wholes in the leafs and some of the plants are wilting and dying. I am not sure what to do. Any help here would be awesome. Thank you.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 05/14/2012 - 16:58
If it weren't for the holes, we'd say that wilted leaves are related to under- or over-watering. However, holes suggest insect pests. Are the holes large or very small? If your leaves look riddled with tiny holes, it's the tiny potato flea beetle. They chew holes in leaves and then the leaves will quickly wilt and die. We suggest that you bring a sample to a local nursery to get diagnosed! If it's the flea, they can give you an insecticide to apply.
<span>Tilidy</span> Wed, 05/09/2012 - 16:46
Ant hills: Don't get rid of used coffee grounds! Instead, pour them on top of ant hills in your yard. Ants hate coffee grounds!
<span>Patsie Scott</span> Wed, 09/26/2018 - 13:59
I have tried this......does not work
<span>Cindy Nowacki</span> Tue, 07/13/2010 - 08:07
I use lavender oil to keep the spiders away. I bought a small bottle at the local herb store and I mix a few drops into water in a spray bottle and spray the base of my house inside and out to keep them out of the basement.
<span>Ruth Bruton</span> Wed, 11/11/2009 - 11:47
What does it mean when lady bugs are everywhere?