After spending your time and money on your yard and plants, the last thing you want to deal with is pesky bugs and insects tearing them up. We at Rocky Mountain Bio-Ag can give you organic solutions to your bug problems.
Mosquitoes:
These blood-sucking insects breed in water. While they probably won’t physically harm your plants, they can cause your time outdoors to be uncomfortable. Female mosquitoes suck blood for protein for their eggs and both female and male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar and juices.
Mosquito Pros:
They are a source of food for many animals including birds, bats, and frogs.
Mosquito Cons:
There are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes, and they are carriers for some of the world’s most deadly diseases. The red itchy bump you can get from a bite is actually an allergic reaction to the enzyme that is injected into your blood. Some people may have a bigger reaction whereas other people might not have one at all.
Mosquito Control:
We carry Microbe-Lift Biological Mosquito Control BMC. This is a liquid application that is safe from humans and animals. We use this product ourselves because it kills developing mosquitoes before they become breeding, biting adults.
Plants That Help Keep Mosquitoes Away:
After you’ve applied Microbe-Lift Biological Mosquito Control BMC, we suggest planting some, or all of the plants listed below, to help keep mosquitoes away:
- Citronella
- Lemon Balm
- Catnip
- Lavender
- Marigolds
Ticks:
Again, another backyard nuisance, but these ancestors of the arachnid family do more than just bug us, they also transmit some nasty diseases. There are at least nine different types of ticks, but the ones that most commonly feed on humans are the Black-Legged Tick (AKA: Deer Tick), the Lonestar Tick, and the Dog Tick.
Tick Pros: None
Tick Cons: They carry a multitude of diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, and Babesiosis, among others.
While it’s hard to keep them completely gone (the outdoors is their home, after all), you can plant some aromatic plants such as:
- Lavender
- Mint
- Marigolds
- Rose Geraniums
Ants:
Oh they’ll go marching one-by-one alright and bring their entire community with them. With over 10,000 species of ants, they are certain to show up in the summer months, but with some of our assistance, we can help you get them off your plants and lawn.
Ants’ tunnel systems can span many depths and distances wide, so it will prove difficult to get rid of them for good. However, we have some suggestions that may keep them from completely taking over your yard:
- Diligence (you can’t expect one round of “ant-maintenance” to take care of them for good)
- Relocate compost piles so they are away from your yard and house
- Keep your soil healthy
- Sprinkle a natural deterrent such as crushed red pepper, peppermint oil, cinnamon, or cayenne pepper around your home or perimeter or your lawn
If you don’t necessarily see these pests but notice that your plants are not as healthy as they should be, are turning brown, or are getting holes in them, it may be time to investigate what could be destroying them. Call us—or stop by—to further discuss your plant/lawn issue. We will solve your problem, organically. Not all pests are bad, but keeping them at bay is important if you want to maintain a healthy lawn and healthy garden.
Rocky Mountain Bio-Ag | Montrose, Colorado | (877) 874-2334