Organic Insect Killer - Not!

We believe we have a tick problem so I thought I would try an Organic lawn insect killer (EcoSMART Lawn Insect Killer). The product manufacturer alleges that the product KILLS AND REPELS: Ants, Aphids, Caterpillars, ticks, and many other lawn and landscape insects. It also alleges that it kills on contact. The manufacturer states that the product is a octopamine blocker which insects have but not mammals or other animals. It blocks the octopamine and "results in a total breakdown of the insect’s central nervous system."

Keeping and open mind I thought I would try this natural products (as I have 2 dogs and two youngsters). After spraying the lawn I thought this may actually work. As a test  sprayed a collection of ants, gnats, beetles, and various other winged and non winged insects that were on some vegetable matter. They continued to scurry around. After dousing them with this insect killer they just continued about their business. The repellent aspect did not appear to work. The product is natural so I figured that maybe "kills on contact" is not immediate and takes some time to affect the insects. I checked the insects at 5, 15, and 30 minutes - they were just laughing at me and not one of them appeared to have been repelled or killed by this product.

Maybe at a higher concentration this product works but I sprayed a 1 foot square area of bugs with enough spray for a 10x10 area of lawn. I am not holding my breath that this product killed any ticks in my lawn. A friend has had success with EcoSMART lawn weed and grass killer so some of their products may yield better results.

Organic Lawn Fertilizers

If I could bypass fertilizer all together I would but I have found that two 50lb-60lb dogs damage and stress out the lawn with all of their running around, especially in the rainy months. In my endeavor to strive to be more environmentally friendly I began using low nitrogen organic fertilizers four years ago. 

I have had mixed results with organic products. One of these organic products caused six inch mushrooms to grow every night for a couple of weeks giving the dogs a potentially poisonous treat. Picking mushrooms at 5 am so the dogs do not eat them is not a treat for the humans!

Two years ago I decided to switch to a liquid organic hydrolyzed fish solubles fertilizer and kelp. Due to the fish oil in the fertilizer the yard has a bit of a fish odor. Fortunately the odor is slowly diminishing. Though I am not sure what the neighbors think about the smell the day after the spraying.

After the first year I can say that the liquid organic hydrolyzed fish solubles fertilizer and kelp does work well. I also have been using a similar product on my garden and outside plants with great results. Until it stops raining the grass stayed green without growing at a horrendous rate. 

It it not for everyone but I do recommend composting, organic fertilizer, rain barrels, etc. It does take more time but I believe it is less taxing on the environment.

Organic Fertilizer Adventure

If I could bypass fertilizer all together I would but I have found that two 50lb-60lb dogs damage and stress out the lawn with all of their running around, especially in the rainy months. In my endeavor to strive to be more environmentally friendly I began using low nitrogen organic fertilizers four years ago. 

I have had mixed results with organic products. One of these organic products caused six inch mushrooms to grow every night for a couple of weeks giving the dogs a potentially poisonous treat. Picking mushrooms at 5 am so the dogs do not eat them is not a treat for the humans!

This year I decided to switch to a liquid organic hydrolyzed fish solubles fertilizer and kelp. Due to the fish oil in the fertilizer the yard has a bit of a fish odor. Fortunately the odor is slowly diminishing. For the next application I will definitely use gloves - I have washed my hands multiple times but some fish oil odor still is present.

It it not for everyone but I do recommend composting, organic fertilizer, rain barrels, etc. It does take more time but I believe it is less taxing on the environment.... well at least to me!