Ants

We wrote a whole article about  how to naturally get rid of ants.

Aphids

These tiny pests cause damage by sucking the juices from the leaves and stems of plants, and spreading disease while they do so. They are fairly easy to get rid of — sometimes all it takes is a strong blast from your hose to knock them off of the plant.

Asparagus Beetle

If those eagerly-awaited stalks of tender asparagus are showing brown spots, scarring, or are bent, asparagus beetles are probably to blame. One of their main predators is a parasitic wasp — another reason you don’t want to use broad spectrum pesticides in your yard. In addition to encouraging the wasps, you can also handpick the larvae, eggs, and beetles from your plants.

Cabbage Worm

You know those pretty white butterflies you see hovering around your garden in early summer? Yeah. You may want to start checking your cabbage, kale, broccoli and other cruciferous veggies for holes in the leaves. Look underneath, because most likely the culprit is a light green larva that hatches from the eggs deposited by those pretty white butterflies. One of the easiest ways to control them (besides covering your crops with floating row covers and eliminating the problem all together) is to hand pick them and drop them in a cup of soapy water.

Colorado Potato Beetle

If the foliage on your potato plants is starting to get chewed, chances are good that you have a potato beetle problem. A little work and vigilance, and you can still protect your potato crop. Colorado Potato Beetles overwinter in the soil, so crop rotation can be a huge help in reducing the damage your garden sustains.

Corn Borer/Corn Earworm

Not just corn, but also peppers, beans, and potatoes can fall victim to corn borers. If any of these plants start toppling over, chances are good that a corn borer has made its way into the stem. Bacillus thuringiensis is an effective natural control for these pests.

Cucumber Beetle

Besides gnawing on the leaves and fruits, cucumber beetles also spread bacterial wilts. Handpicking is a great option here, as are floating row covers to provide a barrier to these pests in the first place.

Cutworm

So, you planted out a bunch of perfect tomato seedlings only to find them toppled over, as if chopped down by tiny axes, the next morning. You have a cutworm problem.You can make simple collars from empty toilet paper rolls to protect the stems until they are too large to sustain damage from cutworms. The rolls will break down in the soil, or you can compost them.

Flea Beetle

Tiny holes in the leaves of eggplants, peppers, radishes, pumpkins and squashes, melons, or tomatoes ( as well as other plants) are a sure sign of flea beetles. While the photo shows a gold-colored flea beetle, they are also often shiny black beetles. You will see them hopping around on the plants like, well, fleas.

Mexican Bean Beetle

It’s late summer, and the foliage on your beans is reduced to almost nothing but the veins. Look under any remaining leaves, and you’ll probably find a Mexican bean beetle larva or two. Mexican Bean Beetles are found just about everywhere in the U.S.

Mosquitos

We’ve also wrote a whole article on how to make natural homemade mosquito repellent.

Slugs

The main crop that slugs damage in most gardens is lettuce. These slimy pests just can’t get enough of my Amish Deertongue lettuce. Happily, they’re fairly easy to get rid of. You can hand pick and squish them, handpick and throw them into a bucket of soapy water, let them drown in some beer, or use a grapefruit rind to trap them.

Squash Bug

Yellow spots on the leaves of your pumpkins, winter squash, or summer squash are one sign of squash bugs. Another is wilting vines, or vines that wither and turn black. It can be a bit confusing, because the symptoms (wilting vines) are easily confused with that of squash vine borer (below). One good way to determine the difference is to look for dusty looking frass (dropping) on the stems — that’s usually an indicator of vine borer rather than squash bugs.

Squash Vine Borer

Your perfectly healthy zucchini or pumpkin has a withered vine here and there. Cut open the vine just about where the problem starts, and you’ll probably find the grayish-white larva known as squash vine borer. The good news is that once you find them, you can halt the damage. Simply slice the vine open and dig the borer out. Then you can trim off any yellow or wilted parts of the stem, and bury the rest in the soil. It will grow new roots, and keep growing happily.

Tomato Hornworm

Hornworms have voracious appetites. If you find that your perfect tomato suddenly looks like it became an all-you-can-eat buffet, the culprit is most likely hornworms (who have no problem eating either the leaves of fruits of tomato plants.)

Related posts:

1. How To Naturally Get Rid Of Ants
2. Finally Discovered Why Leaves Drop In Autumn

Insomnia is a lack of healthful, restful sleep and is a common problem experienced by as many as 20% to 30% of adults at various times in their lives. Although it’s common to have the occasional sleepless night, insomnia is the lack of sleep on a regular basis.

The causes of insomnia are many and varied but they can be divided into two groups: primary and secondary.

Primary insomnia is a sleep disorder for which there is no specific underlying condition and is the most common form of insomnia. Stress, environmental changes (such as noise and temperature), disruptions to your normal sleep pattern (caused perhaps through shift work or long-haul travel), and the side-effects of many medications can all give rise to primary insomnia. Other contributory factors include the excessive use of drugs, alcohol or caffeine and taking naps during the day.

Secondary insomnia can be attributed to a specific underlying physical or psychological condition. These include other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome and circadian rhythm disorder. Other physical and psychological conditions that often give rise to insomnia include depression, respiratory problems (including asthma), heart problems (such as congestive heart failure), arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and hyperthyroidism. So, before starting with any sleep aid, consult your doctor.

Natural sleep medications vary from herbal sleep remedies to hormones and even certain foods. Its a broad category so its worth experimenting to see which of these remedies is the most helpful for you. Its a good idea to try these natural insomnia remedies before jumping into the stronger “hypnotic” sleep medications.

Chamomile is a time-honored sedative herb which can be safely used by children and adults alike. Chamomile tea is commonly used in Europe, South America, and Mexico for insomnia and restlessness combined with irritability, particularly in children. Chamomile oil can also be put in bath water (5-6 drops) to soothe overwrought nerves, diluted to 2% to make an excellent massage oil, or used as an inhalant.

Epsom salts, naturopathic practitioners recommend this remedy for sleepless nights. Add 1 to 2 cups Epsom salts to a hot bath and soak for about 15 to 20 minutes before hitting the hay.

Hops, a major flavoring component of beer, has a long history of use for sleeplessness, nervousness, and restlessness. Hops pillows are sometimes used for mild insomnia.

Folk remedies often advise people with sleeping difficulty to eat a little honey. It has the same sedative effect as sugar and may get you to bed more quickly. Try adding 1 tablespoon honey to some decaffeinated herbal tea or even to your warm milk for a relaxing pre-sleep drink.

Lavender is a gentle strengthening tonic for the nervous system. A few drops of lavender oil added to a bath before bedtime are recommended for persons with sleep disorders. Additionally, the oil may be used as a compress or massage oil or simply inhaled to alleviate insomnia.

High carbohydrate, low-protein bedtime snacks can make sleeping easier. Carbohydrate-rich foods(i.e. toast, bread…) tend to be easy on the tummy and can ease the brain into blissful slumber.

Passion flower is used for minor sleep problems in both children and adults. It is an excellent sedative with no side effects even when used in large doses.

Drinking a glass of milk, especially a glass of warm milk, before bedtime is an age-old treatment for sleeping troubles.

Valerian is a herb that has been long used as a remedy for insomnia. It is recommended for those type of people who have a hard time falling asleep, because it shortens sleep latency. It also reduces nighttime waking. Valerian is an excellent herbal sedative that has none of the negative side effects of Valium and other synthetic sedatives.

Dill seed essential oil has the most sedative-producing properties.  Though scientists haven’t proved its worth, this herb is often used as a folk cure for insomnia in China.

Wild lettuce is a mild sedative and nervine used for restlessness and insomnia. Because of its safety of use and calming effects, wild lettuce is a good children’s remedy.

Taking a 5-HTP supplement may be a benefit if your body has low levels of tryptophan. How do you know if you’re low? Low levels of tryptophan are most common in people who are depressed. If your insomnia is associated with depression, it might be a good question to ask your doctor.

California poppy is a sleep-promoting herb. Clinical and laboratory work on California poppy have clearly demonstrated the plant’s sedative and anti-anxiety properties. It has been shown to improve both sleep latency and quality.

Melatonin is a popular remedy to help people fall asleep when the sleep/wake cycle has been disturbed, such as in shift workers or people who with jet lag.  It’s a hormone that regulates your biological clock.

Kava is the national drink of Fiji. It imparts a calm feeling, relaxes the body, and sometimes enhances communication and dreaming. This sedative herb is often used for sleeplessness and fatigue. However, FDA has issued an advisory to consumers about the potential risk of severe liver injury resulting from the use of dietary supplements containing kava. Not recommended if you are taking any other relaxants or anti anxiety medications. Karva karva can cause dizziness. Stay away from cars, machinery and alcohol.

St. John’s Wort is a common yellow-flowered weedy herb from Europe. Modern scientific studies show that it can help relieve chronic insomnia and mild depression when related to certain brain chemistry imbalances. Because this herb can sensitize the skin to sunlight, if you are taking a full dose, avoid direct skin exposure to bright sunlight.

Also, relaxation techniques are one of the most effective ways to increase sleep time, fall asleep faster, and feel more rested in the morning. They require a minimum of 20 minutes before going to bed. There are many different techniques like yoga, meditation, deeper breathing, visualization, massage,…

Diet is another way to go. Eat carbohydrates (i.e. crackers) but avoid sweets and protein rich foods like meat. It is obvious and redundant to say that drinking caffeine and energy drinks before sleep is a certain way to experience insomnia and restlessness.

Related posts:

1. Natural Common Cold Remedies
2. Natural Teeth Whiteners
3. Natural Homemade Mosquito Repellent

Creating your own laundry detergent is very simple. All you need to do is mix the right ingredients and you’ll eventually end up with a great cleaning agent. If you get the right quantity per component, you’ll get an item that can rival any of the market leaders, for less than half of the price.

It takes about 15 minutes to make your own homemade liquid laundry detergent and about 10 minutes to make powdered laundry detergent using all natural ingredients that you can purchase from your grocery store.

Little introduction

Soap bars are known moisturizers which clean and soften skin. Some of them also work well with fabrics. Mixing soap with sodium carbonate and borax boosts their effectivness. Be careful the only ones qualified are Ivory, Fels-Naptha, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, and Zote.

Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found in the laundry and cleaning aisles.

Some people with really hard water may have to adjust the recipe and add water softener, which is a heavy pollutant, but found in every detergent.

Soap Bar Based Laundry Detergent (Powder)

* 1 soap bar (3.1 oz)
* 1 cup of Borax
* 1 cup of washing Soda

Grate the soap into small strips and place in the pot with borax and washing soda. Mix together and use one to two tablespoons per load. Add essential oils if you like. Store covered and stir before using.

Soap Bar Based Laundry Detergent (Liquid)

* 1 soap bar (3.1 oz)
* 1 cup of Borax
* 1 cup of washing Soda
* 1 quart boiling water

Add the grated soap to the boiling water and stir over low heat until the soap pieces are all melted. Put this water into a large container and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir until it is completely dissolved. Add two gallons of water. Stirring well. Add essential oil for scent if you wish. Cover and allow to stand over the night. In the morning it will be a thin gel.

Use one-fourth cup of the mixture for each load of laundry. Be sure to stir it before use. This is low sudsing so don’t expect billows of suds when you do your clothes.

Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent

* 1 natural soap bar (3.1 oz)
* 1 cup of Borax
* 1 cup of washing Soda

The only difference is the soap, which we’ll be making. On how to make natural soap read next week.

Homemade Fabric Softener

* ¼ cup of vinegar
* few drops of your favorite essential oil

Just add a cup of white vinegar to your washer’s rinse cycle and your laundry will come out soft and cling-free.

Homemade Fabric Softener

* 1 cup baking soda
* 6 cups distilled white vinegar
* 8 cups water
* 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil

First add the baking soda and 1 cup of water. Slowly add the vinegar to the bottle as the vinegar and baking soda will start to fizz. Then add the rest of the water swirling around & cover venting the top a few times. Add the oil.

Add 1 cup in your final rinse cycle for each load but give the bottle a good shake to stir up the essential oil if using.

Related posts:

1. Homemade Oat Milk Recipe
2. How To Naturally Get Rid Of Ants
3. Clean Your Carpet Ecologically

Evening at the Academy is particular fun. The Academy is open every Thursday evening through October for “Nightlife,” an 18 and over evening in the facilities. I was fortunate enough to attend the opening night of “Nightlife” and must commend the Academy on this wonderful idea. For $10 ($8 for members), less than half the cost of a daytime entry, those of legal age can take in the museum’s exhibits and critters as well as enjoy the sounds of a local DJ and cocktails and attend lectures and Planetarium shows.

One of the benefits of the Nightlife experience is the lack of children–I love seeing kids at a museum enthralled by all there is to see, don’t get me wrong–but no kids means that adults can actually spend time at the various aquarium windows without sticky fingerprints and having to move on quickly, and there is no crying, just the sounds of the music. Most of the exhibits I was able to spend a good 2-5 minutes enjoying and locating the respective animals because the crowds were relatively light. And there was a definite party mood to the Academy, with complete strangers circulating and commenting on what they were seeing.

The opening night of Nightlife was a tribute to the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin, and yes, the DJ did attempt to get the crowd to sing “Happy Birthday” to the legend! There is a huge exhibit at the moment dedicated to Darwin and evolution with plenty to read and see, including a skeleton of an Elephant Bird, the largest bird to walk the planet (I reached to it’s knee). As I jokingly commented to a friend, between the evolution exhibit and the display on global warming, many in our country would find the Academy borderline treasonous.

But enough of evening hi-jinks and back to the Academy itself. When you enter, it is into a main area with clear signs pointing you to the Rainforest, the Aquarium, the Planetarium, and the African Hall, the main parts of the building. The Rainforest is to the right and is where I will start. Imagine something like a giant Habitrail ball, clear, 6 stories tall, filled with a rainforest–plants, trees, water and critters. Walking up a sloped ramp, you first are taken into a small room where you are told to leave food and drinks and warned to not touch any of the butterflies and also given a quick note about the temperatures inside. Then the door opens.

The first thing I noticed was the warmth and humidity. The Rainforest is kept at approximately 85F and misters throughout provide the humidity. The first dwellers you see are fruitbats, behind a glass in a cave-like exhibit. Much to my delight, the bats were very active, even though the darkness of the cave made it tough to see them. As you head up the ramp, you come first to signs discussing the part the rainforest you are in–canopy, etc., then to smaller aquarium-type homes of creatures native to various rainforest regions, such as Madagascar, Borneo and so on. Amongst the animals on display are geckos and frogs of every hue, snakes, and fish. There is even an exhibit that holds a Orb spider; sadly, I either couldn’t find her or she wasn’t out.

After you pass the aquariums, you come to an overlook area in each section of the rainforest, where you can see the plants, butterflies flying about you–if you are lucky, one might land on you, but don’t touch it if it does–and look down into the water of the rainforest, the best part. The fish are enormous and the water is actually the roof of the aquarium below, you can see people in the aquarium walking about 6 stories down with the fish of the rainforest above their heads. Incredible! As an aside, I wonder how many jokes about needing to save the people walking below will be made–I know I used the line twice already.

Taking the elevator down from the rainforest, you are deposited into the Aquarium, with a veritable feast of delightful and mind-boggling creatures to view, from a water-walking spider, to leaf fish, chambered nautiluses, sea dragons, to a very ancient and giant bass who eyeballs all, to venomous creatures. There is a “touch table” where visitors can touch starfish, urchins and crabs (even busy with only adults in the place at Nightlife!) and a section with swamp dwellers and of course, the penguins.

Tired yet? The Academy also has an African Hall, with dioramas of large animals and the Planetarium, which I will not say much about since I have yet to experience it. From the outside, it is impressive, a round building in the Academy, like the Rainforest, but not see-through. There is even a glass-fronted small lab (I affectionately think of it as “Geeks on Display”) where you can see Academy researchers doing their thing–even at night with a party swirling about them, I did call it “Geeks on Display” after all).

I will leave you on the Living Roof, one of the most interesting parts of the Academy, which is built to be a green building. Taking the stairs, you find yourself on an observation deck, surrounded by short walls, outside of which are plants covering the roof. The plants allow for absorption of rainfall and keep the building cool. Even the dome of the roof is covered with plants. Truly impressive and a great way to end a trip to the Academy.

That the Academy is new and still getting its feet under it shows at times. When I went over the weekend with 2 guests that had to pick up pre-paid tickets, watching the entry (I went in through the members’ entry and waited about 15 minutes) was an exercise in frustration as those who buy tickets in advance have to first wait in one line to pick up the tickets and then wait in another, even longer line to get in once the tickets are in hand–why bother buying in advance if there is no upside in terms of entry? Also, this was a holiday weekend and to the Academy’s shame there was only one person scanning tickets at the entry–a double shame considering the small gaggle of staff that stood next to where I waited debating if they should grab another scanner and help out. The answer, staff, is yes, you should have, rather than standing about and laughing and gabbing while those guests who pay your salaries stand in rain waiting to come inside. But I am sure that those things will iron out in time.

The new California Academy of Sciences is utterly impressive night and day. Go explore it if you are in town and able to do so–be prepared to be amazed, scared (by some of the creatures) and amused (by others of the creatures. If you go, plan on spending about 5 hours in total to account for waiting in line for Planetarium shows and the Rainforest, as well as taking in the Aquarium and exhibits in a leisurely manner.

watch the gallery:

Related posts:

1. Shifted Earth Axis
2. See The Biggest Crash On Earth
3. Earth Hour 2011