In our Ant Control article we feature several products including liquid concentrates and granules. Either of these would be safe and highly effective on most any ant. We also have an alternative option which uses natural food extracts and oils as the active. These natural products are nontoxic and yet effective. The liquid alternative is ECO IC and is basically mixed and applied like any other product. It can safely be used around any garden without cause for concern. Use a good Pump Sprayer to do the application and spray it in the yard, on the home or even the home without any danger to people or pets.

But when it comes to ants, getting the entire yard is important so the use of some kind of lawn granule is often times required for long term protection. The alternative option here would be the ECO Lawn Granules. Both options will work on ants but keep in mind they won't last as long as the more traditional products featured in our article. In other words, you'll probably have to apply them more frequently.

And we even have an organic ant bait. NIBAN FG is OMRI listed and safe for use inside as well as around the home and won't pose an undue risk to people or pets when used properly. If you have further questions or concerns, please give us a call on our toll free 1-800-877-7290.

Ladybugs can be a tough and persistent pest once they find your house and move in for the winter. Most people think of ladybugs as a "good bug" since they like to feed on common garden variety pests like whiteflies and aphids. As our LADYBUG CONTROL article explains, there is another species of ladybug present in the Unites States which has been imported and released on purpose. Originally the intention of importing this ladybug was all well and good but it was later learned this species hibernates during the winter. That by itself was no major problem but when it turned out the place they most liked to hibernate was on our homes and other man made structures, this insect was quickly categorized as another "invasive pest".

Once your home is marked and scented as a good place to live, ladybugs in the local vicinity will find their way to your home. This will usually happen every spring and fall. It's during this time that treatments should be done. Cypermethrin outside and Baygon inside are two very effective products to use but there are organic alternatives. The BUG PATROL RTS is certificied for organic gardening and strong enough to knock down ladybugs as is MULTI INSECT KILLER. Use either on the outside of the home and attempt to spray as much of the siding and overhangs where you see these invasive ladybugs active. Once inside the home, use the ECO KO AEROSOL for a quick knockdown and lasting residual. Made from food grade active ingredients, ECO Aerosol is both fast acting and safe to use around children and pets. Expect to treat a few times in the fall and then again in the spring. The following year the invasion should be a lot less noticeable and maybe barely detectable depending on how well you knock down the current population in your first year of treating. If you have further questions, please give us a call on our toll free at 1.800.877.7290.

There is some confusion over just what products are approved for organic gardening and what is being sold. The way to tell is simple.

Organic gardening approved products will bear the organic gardening logo somewhere on their label or accompaning literature. Just recently this logo has been adopted as the sure and safe way to tell what has been sanctioned or certified by NOP (National Organic Program) as organic gardening safe. This is important if you are an organic grower. Try to use these products because only these will surely be Ok for your garden and actually fulfill the claims they make on their label. Over the past few years there has been a lot of products that have come to market which are fakes or phonies and you must be careful of what you get. Just because something is homemade or natural do not think it's organic!! There are many toxic compounds out there being represented this way so for now, the best guideline is the organic gardening logo. If something bears this stamp of approval, you can use it safely in your organic herb or vegetable garden. Another great source for this information is our NON TOXIC PEST CONTROL site which features nothing but organic and exempt pest control products so this is a great place to start your search too. All of the products listed on Non Toxic are organic gardening approved and make great organic gardening sprays.

We have several organic insecticides that are safe to use on your garden fruits and vegetables. These products have to be a little toxic as explained on our NON TOXIC PEST CONTROL page but the organic line we feature is about as safe as it gets. Certified by NOP they all bear the organic gardening logo so for now, they're as good as it gets.

For strawberries, there are two good products that qualify as organic. BT GARDEN DUST uses a type of bacteria thats harmless to people but deadly to insects. Simply sprinkle it on the plant leaves and when they feed they'll die by ingesting a lethal dose. BT Dust is commonly in organic gardening and comes in a ready to use applicator.

If you prefer to spray, the MULTI PURPOSE INSECT KILLER is a great option. It's a concentrate which is mixed with water and applied with a PUMP SPRAYER. It works on many insects and is good for organic gardens.