On Keeping Ticks, Grubs, Slugs... Under Control W/O Chemicals

Here are some tips on how to attack the causes of your backyard pests -- without chemicals or gadgetry -- from Dill, Tukey and Gary Fish, manager of the Pesticide Programs for the Maine Board of Pesticides Control in Augusta.

Imprelis, A New Herbicide that Kills Trees, not just Weeds!

A "safer" herbicide supplement (in place of 2,4-D, a known toxic- to- humans weed killer), used in chemical lawn care, is the suspected culprit for the death of millions of dollars worth of lawn trees. This is a wake up call that we need to question exactly what we are trusting and purchasing for our lawn care. Fortunately, according to Consumer Reports, the manufacturer, Dupont, is suspending sales of this product...

Protect Fireflies-- They Eat Grubs and Slugs!

We all share an affinity for lightning bugs with their magical nocturnal light shows. Aside from their entertainment value, they help keep down pesky grub and slug populations. Sadly, firefly populations can be hampered by lawn chemicals... Raupp believes that any downturn in the population, which became noticeable in 2008, was the result of pressure on the lightning bug habitat. Too many concrete parking lots left less ground for the larvae to inhabit while they develop. Pesticides shrank the food supply of slugs, grubs and worms. And light — from streetlights, houses, parking lots and even baseball stadiums — confused the fireflies, who couldn’t “find” each other. In addition, pesticides on lawns would have crippled the female lightning bug populations, because that’s where they stay.