More Bug Control and Gardening

This is an Epps Fly Trap that I've read good things about. It works because apparently when flies approach an animal, they first fly all around and underneath it. The contraption above, a large dark object, attracts the flies as it's made to resemble a horse or cow (at least to a fly). Underneath is clear plastic, which the flies bounce off of and into a tray of soapy water, where they drown.

We've never tried one, and only have one first hand testimonial. Some friends say theirs has drastically reduced the fly population around their place. The traps are a little pricey and I have no idea how long they last. It looks like you could make your own fairly easily.

A couple of people commented that they use garlic for fly control. I've tried it before, and while I like the idea; it's just not practical for us. First of all, we have a lot of horses that we don't handle every day. Secondly we don't feed much grain. It's more like a treat when they are ridden and the amount of dried garlic needed to be fed each day takes a lot of grain or other feed to mix with. But then Shirley said she buys crushed garlic and the horses eat it straight.

Springtime, Inc. is the company I ordered garlic from. They carry high quality, all natural supplements for horses, people and dogs. I've used a few of their products and was happy with them.

I've tried a few herbal fly sprays. The one we had the best results with is Equisect by Farnam, but the only place I've looked are in the feed stores in this area. Typical of most herbal sprays, it doesn't last long, so I spray, then get on and keep moving. Sometimes I spray afterwards also. Our horses mainly use the buddy system of two standing head to tail to swish one another for fly control.

I did buy some Neem Oil, The only time I tried it was on myself at an outdoor concert near the river last summer that was thick with mosquitoes, and I didn't get bit. I just rubbed a bit of the oil on my bare skin. I'll have to make a spray and try it on the horses. It's been so cool here that the flies aren't bothersome yet.

Tom and I have been making raised beds in our garden for growing vegetables. We're filling them with soil and lots of compost. I planted the first one a few weeks ago to cool season crops and have spinach, kale, lettuce and radishes already up. We finished the second bed today and I planted it to sugarsnap peas, more lettuce and other greens, plus a different variety of radishes. 

I started tomatoes and peppers inside, but they won't go in the ground (or beds) until after Memorial Day. That's also when I'll plant squash, cucumbers, melons, and other things that cannot freeze.

Plus, the asparagus I planted last year is coming up, so we'll be eating that before long.

I can't wait for fresh vegetables from the garden. I'm hoping that within a month I won't be buying any more vegetables for the summer.

And guess what? I got a sunburn on my back and shoulders working in the garden. It's not bad, so don't feel sorry for me. The sun felt so good and I didn't keep track of how long I was exposing my white skin. I seem to do it every year.

Leave a comment and tell me about your gardening experiences this spring. Also, share any other bug control tips you have.