"safe" insecticides

As your garden grows so does the potential for insect infestation. Instead of reaching for sevin or any other toxin, try mixing up a batch of your own insecticidal soap. Proven just as effective as other more harmful options on mites, whiteflies, aphids, thrips and leafhoppers, insecticidal soap is inexpensive and can be made from ingredients you already have at home. The most basic recipe is as follows:
1 1/2 t. Dawn per quart of water

To rid plants of hard shelled insects such as scale add 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol to 1T of the soap mixture and a quart of water.

To repel as well as treat common pests try:
1T Murphy's Oil Soap
3T Tabasco or cayenne
1 quart warm water

Another great non-toxic garden must have is diatomaceous earth. Made from the fossilized remains of unicellular algae-like plants called diatoms, this naturally occurring powder is effective in piercing an insect's exoskeleton with razor sharp edges. If dusted, the insect dries out and if ingested it shreds internally. DE is effective on flea beetles, flea borers, thrips, mites, roaches,slugs, snails, earwigs, silverfish, and ants. Conversely, DE is deadly for earthworms-so if you value the earthworm's ability to fertilize and aerate, use with caution.

Because DE is a fine powder, the best method of application is to fill an old stocking and shake away. Take care not to inhale DE as it can irritate nasal passages and mucus membranes.

By choosing to use non-toxic pest control methods not only do your protect your health, you protect the environment.