Since I am not only an avid gardener, but also much concerned about the environment, I'm always looking for safe methods to grow plants including pest control in home and garden.

Think about pest control and how it works: We spray chemicals on plants or pests and the bugs die or stop reproducing because the chemicals are toxic to them. Unfortunately, many of these products are also toxic to humans and animals. Reading warning labels on pest control products makes you wonder why anybody would want to risk using them. Exposure to the fumes of these products can result in headaches, feelings of nausea and other discomfort Pesticide use can also results in chronic illness such as allergies, in miscarriages, sterility, cancer and even death.

We not only spray and fumigate in home and garden, we also apply bug killing toxins on our pets and expose them and ourselves non stop to a variety of chemicals to kill fleas, ticks and more.

Over the years, I have had some success with such Earth friendly things as vinegar, diatomaceous earth, garlic, cayenne pepper and Saver Soap in my never ending battle with bugs that invade home and garden. My quest also led me to pure essential oils which repel or kill bugs, yet are actually healthful to people and their pets.

Experimentation lead to the discovery that if the oils are used undiluted, they repel the pests, but if the oils are mixed with water, they often become "insecticides". In other words, if you like to repel insects from entering your home, you can do that by putting a few drops of the appropriate oil on your fingers or some other applicator and then brush or spray the oil along the line of demarcation such as a windowsill, a door jamb, or other point of entry.

To kill or disable pests, mix a few drops of a specific oil with water in a spray bottle, shake frequently and aim at the pests. For example, to discourage aphids and ants from roses and other plants, generously spray infested plants with the mix. While the pests will leave or fall off, there is no harm done to the plant itself. (Best not to do that in mid day when temperatures go above 100 degrees F.)

You can keep ticks, chiggers and fleas off yourself and your pets when in the outdoors by using the appropriate oils. Either spray on exposed areas or rub on cuffs around neck, wrists and ankles. Avoid using oils near the eyes. Should you get oils in the eyes, dilute with vegetable oil - NOT with water. If an oil should be too strong for the user, experiencing a slight discomfort, apply a little vegetable oil to dilute. For your pets, you can put recommended oils around the neck, legs and along the back, but keep oils from around the eyes and other tender areas.

If an oil should be too strong for the user, apply a little vegetable oil on the area to dilute.

The following oils have been used successfully in the elimination of pests from home and garden:

ANTS: Peppermint, Spearmint

APHIDS: Cedarwood, Hyssop, Peppermint, Spearmint

BEETLES: Peppermint, Thyme

CATERPILLARS: Spearmint, Peppermint

CHIGGERS: Lavender, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme

CUTWORM: Thyme, Sage

FLEAS: Peppermint, Lemongrass, Spearmint, Lavender

FLIES: Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage

GNATS: Patchouli, Spearmint

LICE: Cedarwood, Peppermint, Spearmint

MOSQUITOES: Lavender, Lemongrass

MOTHS: Cedarwood, Hyssop, Lavender, Peppermint, Spearmint

PLANT LICE : Peppermint, Spearmint

SLUGS: Cedarwood, Hyssop, Pine

SNAILS: Cedarwood: Pine, Patchouli

SPIDERS: Peppermint, Spearmint

TICKS: Lavender, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme

WEEVILS: Cedarwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood

I like to add these cautions about essential oils: Not all essential oils on the market are safe. Many are diluted with harmful chemicals. Many essential oils are ineffective due to the way they are processed. Please make sure that you use safe, pure, properly distilled oils.