The City of St. Catharines and the province of Ontario may both pass laws this year restricting the non-essential use of pesticides. Nearly half of Canada’s population is already covered by similar restrictions which aim to reduce the health risks associated with these chemicals. Various studies point at increased cancer rates and other health issues associated with chemical pesticides. Young children are especially susceptible from hand-to-mouth contamination as they explore the world around them. Some very common pesticides that will no longer be permitted for domestic use include the herbicides 2-4-D, mecoprop and dicamba (found in Killex and Weed and Feed) and glyphosphate (Round-Up), as well as the insecticides diazinon and carbaryl (found in many insecticide products). Once the ban goes into effect violators may face fines. Read more...
ANIMALS
Denying access with a fence is the best control |
PROBLEM |
CULTURAL CONTROL |
NATURAL CONTROL |
CHEMICAL CONTROL |
| Cats, Dogs |
Plant 'Scardy Cat," Coleus canina, plant thorny barrier plants |
citrus oils (peels) and pepper act as a repellent |
Critter Ridder (pepper based repellent) |
| Skunks, Racoons |
pick up fruit litter, control grub populations, keep tight lids on garbage cans |
moth balls (flakes), pepper sprinkled as barrier, ammonia repels skunks |
Critter Ridder (pepper based repellent) |
| Rabbits, Mice, Deer, Squirrels |
plant garlic to repel rabbits and mint to repel mice. To repel rabbits place a film can with vinegar and a hole in the lid |
bar soap (deer), basil (mice), pepper (squirrels & rabbits) |
Scoot a liquid repellent for use on ornamentals (not food plants) |
FUNGUS & DISEASE
Prune out infected parts, remove debris in fall. Rotate fungicides for best results. Plant resistant varieties |
PROBLEM |
CULTURAL CONTROL |
NATURAL CONTROL |
CHEMICAL CONTROL |
| Black Spot / Leaf Spot |
spores may winter on plant debris, prune out and destroy infected parts, rake up debris and destroy |
Sulphur Dust, Safers Defender or 1 tbls baking soda 2.5 tbls light horticultural oil in 1 gal water |
Bordo, used as a preventative spray every 7-10 days |
| Powdery Mildew |
do not overhead water, imrpove air circulation, (prune) remove infected parts |
Sulphur Dust, Safers Defender or 1 tbls baking soda 2.5 tbls light horticultural oil in 1 gal water |
Bordo,used as a preventative spray every 7-10 days |
| Rust |
remove infected parts at first sign of disease and destroy. Plant resistant varieties |
Sulphur Dust, Safers Defender used as a preventative spray every 7-10 days |
|
| Shothole Fungus |
prune out and destroy infected parts, do not overhead water |
|
apply Bordo in fall |
INSECT PESTS
Healthy plants are more likely to fight off attack. Early detection is the key to successful insect control Use sticky traps.
Experiment with your own bug repellent Steep 1/2 cup hot pepper or onion or garlic in 1 litre of water. Strain & spray on plants that have been attacked in the past |
PROBLEM |
CULTURAL CONTROL |
NATURAL CONTROL |
CHEMICAL CONTROL |
| Ants |
|
pennyroyal (herb clippings) Silicon dioxide (Insect Dust) |
Ant Killer Dust, Ant Drops (Borax) |
| Aphids |
companion plant with chives or garlic |
soap and water spray, SafersTrounce (pyrethrins) End-All (pyrethrins, canola oil) |
|
| Beetles / Skeletonizer |
beetles are repelled by the herbs Tansy, Rue and garlic |
Rotenone, diatomaceous earth dusted on plants, Safers Trounce pheromone traps |
|
| Box Elder Bugs |
keep wood piles and other hiding places away from house don't plant female box elders |
Safers Trounce used as a contact insecticide |
|
| Borer |
Keep trees well watered borers attack stressed plants, companion plant with garlic |
Poke sharp object in borer holes |
|
| Caterpillars / Moths Webworms / Cutworms |
to protect against cutworms use a 3" collar around seedlings e.g. a toilet paper roll |
Rotenone, BTK (bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki) when larvae present |
|
| Grubs |
keep grass healthy by aerating fertilizing and regular, deep watering, deep cultivation in beds |
Beneficial Nematodes |
|
| Scale |
cut out severe infestations |
Dormant Oil in early spring Horticultural (light) oil in summer. Safers End-All |
|
| Slugs / Snails |
hand pick, barrier of crushed eggshells or coffee grounds, fresh rosemary repels slugs |
beer trap (empty daily) diatomaceous earth, aluminum sulphate barrier |
Slug and Snail Bait (pet friendly), |
| Spidermite |
Flush plant through with water periodically |
Safers End-All |
|
WEEDS
Keep weeds out of grass by keeping a thick lawn. Topdress with topsoil, reseed thin and shady areas every year. Fertilize and deep watering |
PROBLEM |
CULTURAL CONTROL |
NATURAL CONTROL |
CHEMICAL CONTROL |
| Weeds in Lawn (perennial and broadleaf) |
keep grass healthy by aerating, fertilizing and regular, deep watering |
pull by hand, Corn gluten meal |
|
| Weeds in Lawn (annual and crabgrass) |
keep grass healthy by aerating, fertilizing and regular, deep watering |
pull by hand |
|
| Weeds in Flower Beds |
weed barriers and mulching |
hoe, or pull by hand, Safers Top Gun
Acetic acid |
|
| Weeds on Patio or Driveway |
|
pull by hand Safers Top Gun
Acetic acid |
|
* Always follow label directions when applying pesticides. Repeat applications as recommended for best results. For specific concerns, ask an Expert!
