by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Bugs - can’t live without ‘em, but do we have to live with them? Yes, sort of, but there are ways to find a balance. We had been living with ants in our kitchen for a couple years when we decided on the direct approach - we politely and sincerely ASKED them to leave. We haven’t seen an ant since. I’m serious. It worked.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had this result with my yard and pets. Since I’ve been a pet-owner in a southern climate, I’ve had to come to terms with using flea and tick products. Recently, I’ve faced a new problem with one dog who has contracted hook worms 3 times in one year, an intestinal parasite that can live in the soil. Normally, they are not found in a North Carolina climate, but global warming has changed that. Although the animal can be treated with dewormer once infected, there’s no preventative available.

In a bit of desperation, I went in search of a way to treat the soil in my yard, but resolved to only use something that would be safe for the environment and other critters.

Much to my surprise, I found a solution at CedarCide Industries, a company using the safe and natural essential oil of cedar to control fleas, flies, ticks, mosquitos, chiggers, mites, no-see-ums, ants termites, moth and venomous snakes. The best news is that there is no effect on other animals like birds or squirrels, or beneficial insects such as ladybugs, butterflies, frogs, toads and garden variety snakes. The website is packed with information. I emailed to ask about the hookworms in my yard.

I heard back immediately from Ben, who has 50 years in the business and sure knows his stuff (you have to read about this guy!). This is only part of what he sent back:

CedarCides PCO CHOICE Insect control concentrate. I know that it’s biggest attribute is its ability to dissolve the insect egg and larvae. This is critical when controlling hook worms. When one can interrupt the egg layer cycle, create a barrier of entry, then you will subsequently eliminate the next generation of insects.

Hook Worms are predominately found in the Tropical South. Normally they are not that common in North Carolina. PCO CHOICE comes in gallon or quart bottles. It is supplied with a hose end sprayer calibrated for outside use with this specific concentrate. The concentrate will provide a total of 8 applications or 160 gallons of spray. I suggest that unless you have a huge yard, this will last all season. To use, just put four ounces of concentrate into the cup, fill to 26 ounces with water, reattach to the sprayer mechanism and initiate spraying.

PCO CHOICE can also be purchased with a two gallon Compression Sprayer for use inside the home. Mix 2 oz per gallon of water. It will not stain and leaves a temporarily pleasant Cedar Closet aroma which is lethal to insects such as Scorpions, Roaches, Fleas, Carpet Beetles, Crickets, Silverfish and many others.

Dr. Ben Oldag
askben@cedarcide.com

800 842 1464.

I’m ordering soon and will follow up with my results! CedarCide is Cedar-Wise!

Tags: animals, health, home, nature

This entry was posted on Monday, July 23rd, 2007 at 10:51 am and is filed under Green Misc.. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.