Natural Pest Control Solutions For A Greener Home
As consumers have become increasingly aware of the impact their choices have on the environment, eco-friendly Pest Control Overland Park has grown in popularity. These methods use natural ingredients and less harmful substances to combat pests like ants, beetles, and rodents while maintaining the balance of local ecosystems.
Cinnamon, for example, deters a wide range of insects by masking the scents that attract them. Other environmentally friendly products include essential oils, diatomaceous earth, and sticky traps.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is one of the most versatile pest control solutions you can use in your garden. As a natural insecticide, it kills soft-bodied pests (like aphids, caterpillars, and mites) on contact. It also serves as a deterrent, keeping many insects from coming near your plants in the first place. In addition to being a pesticide, neem oil is a natural fungicide, treating and preventing fungal diseases like powdery mildew, rust, leaf spot, and scab.
The active ingredient in neem oil is called Azadirachtin. This substance is extracted from neem seeds and other parts of the tree and then used to disrupt an insect’s hormones that control breeding and growth. This compound is the main ingredient in most ready-to-use neem oil sprays that can be purchased at your local garden center.
When applied as a spray, neem oil is effective on most indoor and outdoor plants, including vegetables and roses. You can apply it to all areas of the plant, including leaves and stems, as well as around the roots. You can even use it as a soil drench, pouring the neem oil directly on the ground to treat nematodes and fungus gnat larvae.
You’ll want to use neem oil sparingly, applying it only when necessary. Too much can be absorbed by the plant and damage it. Also, neem oil can be irritating to human skin and eyes, so it’s best to avoid direct contact with the product. You’ll also want to wash your hands after applying it and take care not to inhale or ingest the oil.
If you do decide to apply neem oil, it’s important to choose a high-quality product. Look for products that are organic and don’t contain any unwanted solvents or petrochemicals. You should also avoid using neem oil during extreme temperatures, as it can stress plants. You can also use it in conjunction with other pest control methods, such as baits and traps. Whether you’re using neem oil as a spray or drench, you should reapply it every seven days until you see the results you’re looking for.
Essential Oils
If you clean your home regularly, set traps, seal cracks in the walls, and still find yourself dealing with pest infestations then it may be time to try something new. Essential oils are a natural way to repel pests without using toxic chemicals. They’re extracted from the leaves, stems, flowers, or bark of a plant and contain all aspects of that plant’s smell and chemical properties. They’ve been used in aromatherapy and have become popularized by DIY beauty products, but they can also be incredibly effective at repelling insects.
Studies have found that certain essential oil compounds can be effective against urban pests including ants, termites, and cockroaches. These compounds can be less toxic than synthetic insecticides and can be used with fewer environmental concerns. Some universities recently published a review of the effectiveness of essential oils as an alternative to synthetic insecticides. They found that many essential oil compounds exhibit repellent or insecticidal activity against urban pests including ants, termites, roaches, and fleas.
The researchers discovered that some of the most effective compounds include eugenol (found in clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon), carvacrol (found in oregano, basil, and mint), and trans-cinnamaldehyde (found in cinnamon). Compared to current fumigants, these natural alternatives are safer for people, pets, and the environment.
Thyme is another effective plant-based pest control. The thymol in this powerful essential oil has fungicidal properties that help to prevent mold growth and prevent spore germination. It’s also an endocrine disruptor, which means it interferes with the hormones of pests, inhibiting their egg-laying and shortening their lifespans.
To get the most bang for your buck, use a combination of oils to target specific pests in your home. For ants and spiders, peppermint, lavender, and citronella are great options. You can also try a blend of these along with rosemary, garlic oil, and cedarwood to get rid of centipedes in the garden. A dilution of these can be sprayed around doors, and windows, small cracks in the walls, and heat vents to repel these pests.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring substance that has many uses, including in agriculture, water filtration, and pest control. It is a soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that can be ground into a fine powder or granules. It is used in a wide range of household and gardening products because of its anti-static properties and ability to absorb and hold moisture. It is safe for humans, pets, and plants if used as directed. However, if inhaled in large quantities or for long periods, it can be harmful to respiratory health. This is especially true for people who work in the mining, processing, or spreading of DE.
It works by scratching the exterior of insects, causing them to dehydrate. This is why it is a great alternative to chemical pesticides that can be dangerous for pets and children. It is also effective at deterring rodents and other pests because it smells unpleasant to them. Sprinkle a thin layer of DE along the edges of your garden or around your home to keep them away.
DE can be a great way to get rid of bed bugs, fleas, ants, weevils, and other pests that like to invade our homes. It can be mixed with a bit of citrus or peppermint oil to make a natural insecticide. This can be sprayed or dusted around the perimeter of your home and near any entry points where pests may enter, such as doors, windows, and vents. It can also be sprayed inside of your cabinets where pests can hide, or around the baseboards.
There are two types of DE available, food-grade and pool-grade. The food grade is uncalcined and has a very fine particle size with a low level of crystalline silica. The pool grade is calcined and has a much higher level of crystalline silica. The food grade is typically recommended for use in pest control because it is less hazardous to handle and breathe.
Be sure to wear a dust mask and eye protection when using it indoors to avoid breathing in the dust. It can also be very messy and requires frequent application. It is best to use it in conjunction with other methods of pest control, such as removing any items that can attract them and making your home as unwelcoming as possible.
Sticky Traps
Sticky traps, also known as glue traps or pheromone traps, are simple to use and can be very effective in controlling pests. They work by attracting insects and rodents with their specific color and then trapping them on the adhesive surface. These traps are ideal for use around homes, gardens, and greenhouses as they do not require any chemicals to be set. The traps are also very easy to clean and safe for use around children, pets, livestock, and other sensitive wildlife.
Unlike other traps that may target specific pests, sticky traps will capture all insects in their path, including beneficial insects like honeybees, spiders, and ladybugs. Because of this, they should only be used as a supplement to other traps and should never be placed near plants that need pollination or in any way disturbed. Sticky traps should also be used with caution outdoors because they can also catch and kill beneficial wildlife such as lizards, snakes, and squirrels.
The most common type of sticky trap is a bright yellow card, usually 3 x 5 inches or larger, that is covered on both sides with sticky material. Several types of sticky trap materials are available, and most are reusable after being washed in soapy water. Trap catches can be a useful monitoring tool in conjunction with visual inspection of plants, and comparisons of different traps on the same day can help determine relative insect abundance in the field.
For a greener home, there are also pheromone traps that use a special shade of green to attract insects such as thrips and aphids on vegetables and fruit crops, and hoppers and grasshoppers in legumes and citrus. The traps are also reusable after being washed in soapy waters and can be placed on the soil surface to intercept crawling pests.
Another advantage of using sticky traps is that they are a good option for organic gardeners and farmers. Because they do not contain any poisons, the traps can be used safely in food production areas and in greenhouses where chemicals are either prohibited or discouraged.
Who Killed Natalie Wood?
Everyone agrees Natalie Wood was tragically taken from us in her prime. But the details of her death remain murky. Keep reading the article below to learn more about Who Killed Natalie Wood.
In November of 1981, she was on the yacht Splendour with her husband, Robert Wagner, fellow actor Christopher Walken and captain Dennis Davern. She disappeared from the boat and was presumed drowned.
In the wake of Natalie Wood’s mysterious 1981 death, many of her admirers wanted more than sensational sound bites or vague accusations about her “accidental” demise. They demanded truth, a hard-hitting account of what transpired on Catalina Island that Thanksgiving weekend, and the answer to one crucial question: Did Natalie Wood slip while retieing her dinghy to the yacht and fall into the ocean, or was she murdered?
In 2011, nearly 30 years after Natalie’s death, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials reopened the case and coroner’s officials changed her cause of death from accidental drowning to undetermined factors. After a long and exhaustive investigation, the sheriff’s department announced there would be no charges filed against Wagner or Walken.
But despite this reclassification, the investigation remains open, and Finstad’s book, which she is rereleasing as Natalie Wood: The Complete Biography, reveals even more details that, in her opinion, show conclusively that Wood didn’t simply drown. In her first book, Finstad focused on the relationship between Wood and Wagner and delved into the actress’s stormy career and personal life.
On the night of her death, both Wagner and Walken were questioned multiple times by investigators, but their accounts never added up to concretely prove any one person responsible. Bruises and scrapes listed on the coroner’s report indicated that Wood may have been assaulted before she died, but nothing ever came of those allegations.
It’s been decades since the incident, and while Wagner has addressed his role in her death in a 2009 memoir and has given interviews to TMZ and other outlets, Walken has rarely spoken on the subject and is a no-show for the documentary.
But Dennis Davern, who was the boat’s captain that night and is a family friend and Navy veteran, has made it clear in numerous interviews and his own book, Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour, that he doesn’t believe either Wagner or Walken’s story of what happened that fateful evening. He believes they both kept the truth from investigators, and he has a theory as to why.
What Happened on the Boat?
On the evening of November 29, 1981, Natalie Wood was spending Thanksgiving weekend aboard her husband Robert Wagner’s yacht Splendour, off the coast of Catalina Island. She brought along co-star Christopher Walken, with whom she was having a passionate affair. The three men were drinking heavily. According to one version of events, Wagner got jealous and argued with Walken. Walken then ran back into his stateroom and locked the door, leaving Wagner to tussle with Wood on the boat’s deck. At some point, the argument became so intense that Wagner smashed a glass bottle of wine on the table and chased Wood into her master stateroom to continue the fight.
When Wagner returned to the deck, he spotted the dinghy in the water and called for the Coast Guard. The search lasted four hours, well over the time that Wood was supposed to have disappeared into the ocean. In the end, an islander named Doug Bombard found her body, floating face-down in her cotton nightgown and parka. She was wearing a red jacket with her hair hanging down.
Investigators took notice of the fresh bruises on her body and the timing of their appearance. But the medical examiner ruled her death an accident, citing a fall into dark water. The author reveals key evidence, including never-before-seen photos of Natalie’s autopsy, to show that the official account is a lie.
The new book also explores claims by former Hollywood police detective Duane Rasure that he was directed by the sheriff to close the case. It also uncovers eye-opening facts suggesting that the original investigation was tainted by a coverup, including the withholding of crime scene photographs and the destruction of key evidence.
Among other things, the author exposes attempts by Wagner, Walken and Davern to distance themselves from the blame with magazine interviews and books that change their initial statements. He reveals that the initial stories told by these three men — which led investigators to believe that Wood, who was terrified of water, simply ran off in a dinghy — are false. The author’s analysis of their shifting accounts, along with the numerous bruises found on Wood’s body, raise serious questions about her fate.
What Happened on the Beach?
Amid the many questions surrounding Natalie Wood’s death, some facts remain steadfast. For example, it is known with certainty that alcohol and pills played a role in the actress’s death. It is also a fact that Wood had a deep-seated fear of water. However, what is less certain, and what is the basis for many of the conspiracy theories that continue to circulate about the case, is how exactly did Wood end up in the water that night?
On the Thanksgiving weekend of 1981, Wood was sailing her yacht Splendour with her husband, Robert Wagner, fellow movie star Christopher Walken and their skipper, Dennis Davern. The trio was on the island for the filming of Brainstorm, which Wood was starring in at the time. On this particular trip, the couple’s argumentative nature was exacerbated by their feuding over their work. It was during this period that a rift formed between the two stars that would ultimately lead to her death.
All three men aboard the yacht initially told investigators that they assumed Wood left the boat on her dinghy, despite her notorious fear of the water. However, after the case was reopened in 2011, Davern’s story began to shift—an alarming red flag to investigators.
By examining the forensic evidence gathered during the initial investigation and comparing it to new information that has come to light, this book seeks to answer what really happened the night of Wood’s death. It is hoped that the book will help to clear up confusion and controversies, as well as raise additional issues that should be examined by investigators.
The author argues that the Coast Guard should have been called within hours of the boat disappearing, and he examines how this could have affected the investigation. In addition, he looks at the timing of a bruise discovered on her leg and discusses a mysterious scratch in the center of her throat. He also analyzes a series of alleged anonymous witnesses who have been quoted in the media. Lastly, the book explores what legal principles the prosecution might use in its closing arguments in a murder trial. Sam Perroni is a retired prosecutor and former Assistant United States Attorney who now teaches white-collar crime and trial advocacy at the William H. Bowen School of Law in Little Rock, Arkansas.
What Happened in the Hotel Room?
In life, Natalie Wood was a Hollywood icon, famous for her roles in West Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause. But like many celebrities, she was troubled and her death has remained a mystery. The coroner ruled it an accidental drowning but in 2011, the case was reopened and her cause of death was changed to “drowning and other undetermined factors.”
The book argues that Wagner is responsible for Wood’s death, alleging that he argued with her while they were on the yacht and pushed her overboard when she went to retie the dinghy. It also claims that bruises and scratches on her body are consistent with being assaulted, something investigators didn’t consider when they ruled her death an accident.
For years, rumors of foul play swirled around the actress’s death but were largely ignored until the reopening of the investigation in 2011. The decision to reopen the case was based on claims from boat captain Dennis Davern, who said he had heard Wood and Wagner arguing before the actor disappeared. Davern had spoken out about his theory on TV and in a 2009 book, but his account didn’t match the official account of what happened.
A former Arkansas assistant prosecutor, Sam Perroni, has been a long-time student of the case and has called for its reexamination. He was forced to sue to get access to the official records, crime scene photos and Natalie Wood’s autopsy results. He then used his legal skills and investigative sleuthing to expose new details about the couple’s interactions and alleged actions.
He reveals that the pair had a heated argument in a restaurant while they were filming Brainstorm in North Carolina and that Wagner threatened her, badgered her, got into a fight with Walken in her presence and employed spies to follow them on their vacation. He also outlines how he has found new witnesses who say they saw Wagner and Wood fighting on the yacht, in a dinghy and on the beach. They have been intimidated into silence, he says, by Wagner. Perroni also cites evidence that Wagner and his friends were hiding details of the incident from authorities and the public.