Chemical Alternatives
There are products in the home that can be used to kill plants. The following list will kill any plant it comes in contact with.
Vinegar (regular white)Coca-ColaBoiling Water
To prevent dandelion seeds from spreading, vacuum them up with a dust-buster. Corn Gluten is a product sold as Turf Maize that prevents the germination of seeds. There are many ways to reduce pests in the garden and house without having to use pesticides. Below is a list of some all-purpose recipes to kill insects that can be made with products found around the house.
Fill 3/4 of an empty spray bottle with water, then add a few drops of liquid dish soap, some hot peppers or hot pepper sauce and some garlic.Grind together 3 hot peppers, 3 large onions, and one whole bunch of garlic. Cover the mash with water and place in a covered container. Let stand overnight. Strain through cheesecloth or fine strainer and add enough water to make 4L. Spray on desired plants.Mix 2.5 tablespoons of mild dish washing liquid with the same amount of vegetable cooking oil with 4L of water. Spray on desired plants.Combine 1-2 cups rubbing alcohol with 1L of water. TEST spray on a small section of plant, wait a day to see if damage occurs to plant.Mix 2 tablespoons of soap flakes in 1L of water, spray on plants.1 bar neem soap (from health food store) and 1L water. Shave off 1 tablespoon of neem soap and add to 1L of water. Spray plants.
Chinch Bugs
Many lawns are remaining brown into the fall. The problem may not be grubs. Grubs eat the roots, so the grass is easy to pull back and out of the soil. Chinch bugs suck the sap from the crown leaving the roots, so the blades of the grass die but the roots remain intact in the soil.
Chinch Bugs: Adults are 4mm in length; the immature nymphs are bright red in colour and darken to grey/brown. Chinch bugs are very hard to see as they appear transparent.
If you suspect chinch bug damage, try this test to determine if they are indeed present.
1.Get a large can or clear bottle with a circular area of approximately 200cm.
2.Cut the bottom out and the top to form a cylinder and force this into the turf (2-3 inches)
3.Fill the cylinder with water, wait a few minutes and look for tiny bugs.
You can get a small clear cup and scoop up some water and look on the surface.
This photo shows an example of turf damage caused by the chinch bug. For an alternative control of chinch bugs try neem oil. It is a plant extract that is a natural insecticide. Spray the diluted neem oil onto the damaged turf then water thoroughly. Neem does not affect beneficial insects as they do not eat plant material. Ask your local garden centers or environmental product stores to see if they carry neem oil.
Update: They have cleansed their website of the above information recently. Health Canada recommends against using home made pesticides.
