Alternative to insecticides

Cheap hair spray works wonders on wasps and hornets (glues their wings together and they drop like a rock). The problem is that you do have to score a direct hit. I'd rather nuke the entire nest, with the queen.

Any detergent or other liquid w/ a surfactant will do the same -- the surfactant breaks down the surface tension and lets the liquid at the spiracles and drowns or cuts off air flow to them whether actually technically toxic or not...

The problem with hairspray is the residue it leaves, especially on windows.

I go 'green' (and cheap) by cleaning my windows with vinegar and water. This mixture had a hard time with the dried hairspray from a fly killing spree I went on earlier this week.

I had to get out my favorite adhesive remover - Ronsonol lighter fluid - to break down the hairspray first.

Thanks. I love creative uses of products.

I've had great results with products from Gardens Alive (dot com). My first was their triangle shaped pantry pest traps, which killed a lot of mealworms for me. And their liquid ant bait worked well.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

The detergent has to be dissolved in DHMO, which is the lethal agent?

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

Any detergent or other liquid w/ a surfactant will do the same -- the surfactant breaks down the surface tension and lets the liquid at the spiracles and drowns or cuts off air flow to them whether actually technically toxic or not...

Hit 'em in the air. The hairspray will dry before it hits the ground.

You had to be here before about another thread to understand the humor of it.

For stink bugs, someone suggested mr. Clean with lavender. Works as good as any soap. I have dome to hate lavender, because it smells like bug spray. I think some insects hate lavender.

Some or all orange cleaners are oily.

Greg

One trick I learned from the internet was to use DAWN liquid soap to shampoo a dog. It seems to repel fleas and ticks, and is a non-lethal substance. I've been using it for a few years now, and seems to work OK. Just make sure the pet doesn't have any allergic reaction.

I got an e-mail from a friend -- She says to put four pennies in a zip lock bag and fill it half full of water. Zip it up and put it on the wall.... flies will not come near it. Something to do with the way the pennies are seen by the flies.

That's just plain weird. But I guess since I have all the materials, I might try it. Nothing to lose.......