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www.GreaterCincinnatiPetPages.com
By Wes Duren
Everything we apply to our lawns, gar-
dens, pets, and homes can have long reach-
ing health affects for our children, pets, and
our natural environment. For every pest
problem, there is almost always a natural
solution. Please consult your veterinarian
before attempting any pest control measure.
Gardens Carefully select garden
plants that are known to be non-toxic to
pets. Refer to www.aspca.org for a com-
prehensive list of plants that may pose
harm to pets if ingested. Typically, plants
native to our area are not toxic to pets.
Weeds Smother and prevent weeds
in the garden by applying 10 sheets thick-
ness of newspaper around existing plants
followed with a mulch application, water
weeds on warm sunny days with horti-
cultural vinegar product that desiccates
weed foliage and roots, lightly rake or hoe
the top 2"-3" or garden soil to confound
weeds, use groundcovers that will occupy
voids in the garden. For lawns, keep grass
height at 3.5"-4.5" to smother weeds or ap-
ply corn gluten as a natural weed and feed.
Fertilization Use organic fertilizer on
both lawns and gardens, apply 1"-2" of
compost on both lawn and gardens annually.
Parasites Both marigolds and fennel re-
pel many insects if grown against the house
Ants, Roaches, & Termites Wrap
fresh Osage Orange fruit in foil and
place in affected areas, but needs to be
replaced bimonthly, improve air flow
around house foundation to prevent
termites, apply diatomaceous earth in
lines around all affected areas such
as house foundation or entry points.
Other Garden Insects Many pest
insects such as aphids, mites, adelgids,
scale, whitefl y, and more can be smoth-
ered by applying insecticidal soap con-
taining potassium salts or fatty acids,
Go Organic! It's Only Natural!
Wes Duren is one of the owners of
Marvin's Organic Gardens in Lebanon
For Pets' Sake, Garden Organically
Wild Bird Treat
Remember our feathered friends
in cold weather
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup shortening
1 cup all purpose flour
4 cups plain oatmeal
Cream peanut butter and shorten-
ing. Add in flour and oatmeal.
Form into balls or spread on pine
cones and place into crooks of tree
branches or at the base of trees or
areas where birds come for food.
If possible, try to keep fresh water
outside. More animals perish from
dehydration than starvation.