|
Trudy
|
 |
« Reply #30 on: April 18, 2008, 06:25:28 PM » |
|
That's great to know. thanks, Lesliek. I'm making a list of good things and will post it when We get enough things. We need a lot more things.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
lesliek
|
|
« Reply #32 on: April 18, 2008, 06:41:36 PM » |
|
I wonder if the cloves will help repel woodborer bees ? I will have to try it. I was going to order the peppermint soap for the dogs, but worry how the smell will affect the cats. Anyone who has cats tried this yet ?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"the world's most inept extortionist"
|
|
|
|
Trudy
|
|
« Reply #33 on: April 18, 2008, 07:13:52 PM » |
|
I never tried that on cats. Make sure it's safe. A lot of things that are safe for dogs, are not for cats.
I know borax is not organic or pure, sorry. and i did use the borax soap powder. But you're right. So, We'll stay away from that.
thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
catwoods
|
|
« Reply #34 on: April 18, 2008, 08:02:55 PM » |
|
Thanks Klondike and lesliek and Trudy, for more good ideas.
I've heard yellow jackets pack a wallop.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
JJ
|
|
« Reply #35 on: April 18, 2008, 11:10:32 PM » |
|
Good non-toxic weed killer: buy 1 gal of cheap vinegar, add 2 cups of salt along with 5-6 tablespoons of dish soap and mix together. Have killed all types of weeds around my house with no harm to my dog or to others pets that walk by my house either. You could use this on the lawn but would have to make sure you put it only on the weed as it will kill the grass along with the weeds.
Another safe thing to do for pets is to feed food/water/etc only in ceramic bowls or stainless steel. No plastic of any kind. All organic treats/cookies/etc I remove from the plastic them are in and put them into glass jars or stainless steel containers with glass lids.
When replacing furniture make sure its formaldehyde free. Wool carpeting is the best (not any that is Scotch Guard treated) or organic carpeting as the dogs/cats lay right on top of the chemically treated carpet from who knows where unless it stays USA. Natural feathers or down pillows (if your not allergic) on the bed as the rest are made out of foam rubber that contains - you guessed it - formaldehyde that not only off gasses in the air and you breathe it but also your pets including pet birds.
These are just some ideas that would make a safer environment for our lil fur babies.....
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
But how to dance in the rain.'
|
|
|
|
Trudy
|
|
« Reply #36 on: April 19, 2008, 06:57:49 PM » |
|
JJ, good ideas. I have no carpets down at all. Well, actually i don't have anything to cover My floors with yet. But i know they are coming out with more safe things, and i will check them out and get back.
And you're right about plastic. i don't think it's really safe for people any more either. and don't put it in the microwave, it lets off toxins.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Trudy
|
|
« Reply #37 on: April 19, 2008, 06:58:40 PM » |
|
We'd be a lot safer if everything came in glass now.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
kb
|
|
« Reply #38 on: April 19, 2008, 10:58:15 PM » |
|
I've successfully used diatomaceous earth to kill ants in the house. I mixed the DE with a little jelly on a paper plate. The ants had a conga line party for a couple of days and then were gone. DE is fossilized diatoms. It is microscopically sharp and is supposed to cut the bugs and then they dry out and die. You must use food grade DE. Don't use the DE made for swimming pool filters. It is safe for people and pets, though you shouldn't inhale it. I've read that you can sprinkle it on carpets and pet bedding to kill fleas. I've read that it can be mixed with animal feed as a dewormer or to reduce the amount of fly larvae in manure.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Poco
|
|
« Reply #39 on: April 19, 2008, 11:20:19 PM » |
|
I think the borax will work sprinkled around the foundation.
Klondike, I have so many roses, and they all turn black sooner or later, and just fall all apart. So, what is the difference between cornmeal? i just bought some, but i'm sure it's plain old cornmeal.
Yes, yellowjackets can have a very nasty bite. My daughter is allergic, and one did bite our Doxie. He didn't want to go out for a long time after that.
We also have something here i never had in Maine. they are called yellow flies. and when they bite Me I swell all up. I don't know what their real name is.
Natural-and Organic--New-
I bought a can of something called Pure Citrus. It is made with Orange and You sure don't need much. I've been wanting to tell you guys all about it but kept forgetting. It's also a non-aerosol. Not tested on animals. Says Made in the USA. I love it.
Here's an article about using cornmeal to kill blackspot on roses: http://gardening.about.com/od/naturalorganiccontrol/qt/Cornmeal.htmIt has a good fungus that kills the blackspot fungus. I think that is why using organic cornmeal may have worked better for me. They may irradiate regular cornmeal and that would kill the good fungus. By the way, I tried borax around the foundation last year and I think the diatomaceous earth may work better. Could be because the DE I use has a bait added to it to make the insects want to eat it. I get it at a garden center, though not many places carry it. A local place might order it for you though. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 Hope my eye gets better soon! |
|
|
|
Trudy
|
|
« Reply #40 on: April 20, 2008, 07:58:11 AM » |
|
Thanks Klondike, I can't wait to try that on my roses. I was about to pull them all up.
when I used the borax, I also split it with confectionary sugar. because the ants love the sugar and couldn't tell the difference.
Now I really need to know this ---
what will kill roaches, and what will kill spiders? I go crazy with a spider in the house. we all have one thing, and that's mine. i'd rather have an 8 foot snake in here.
And what about house flies? what will kill them?
Thanks to all.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Laurie
Guest
|
|
« Reply #41 on: April 20, 2008, 08:01:25 AM » |
|
And what about house flies? what will kill them?
Thanks to all.
A fly swatter.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Trudy
|
|
« Reply #42 on: April 20, 2008, 09:16:16 AM » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
JJ
|
|
« Reply #43 on: April 21, 2008, 12:51:08 AM » |
|
Supposedly hornet do not like MINT.... a all natural wasp hornet kill was the main ingrediant of dish soap and most shampoos ( dish work but you need a less concetrated form or youll use alot ) and mint ....
I do the soap and water weekly all baseboards and the exterior plus use it to soap the yard
I do use a spray in my garden that is for organic gardening and it contains garlic and peppermint oil and rosemary and cottonseed oil and it seems to keep the insects at bay---I was skeptical but it worked Just curious if the cottonseed oil was organic or GMO'd-frankenstein created? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
But how to dance in the rain.'
|
|
|
|
Carol
|
|
« Reply #44 on: April 21, 2008, 05:52:08 AM » |
|
JJ--- here's some info from the label It's "Veggie Pharm" active ingred:pure oils of cottonseed 1.5%, garlic 2.5%, peppermint .10% and rosemary .10% inert ingred:food grade oleic acid, non GMO canola oil, USP grade glycerin and carbonic acid, monopotassium, salt and carrot juice 12.5% and water 83.3% So to answer your question--I don't know?   You probably know more than me! LOL |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
United we stand Divided we fall....
|
|
|
|
