Our research has shown that a variety of ingredients, you may have around your home, could rid your lawn of these pesky critters. Items such as:

• Cayenne pepper
• Castor oil
• Epson salts
• Moth balls
• Murphy Oil Soap
• Ammonia

This is just to list a few. We are not endorsing any of these remedies; but, because of the economic situation, we are simply sharing them with folks who want to try and do it themselves.

Keep in mind as you try these remedies there is a cost involved in time, energy, money and the inconvenience of getting everything together and prepared.

Remedy One:

• Ingredients: Castor Oil and Liquid Dish Detergent

• Procedure: In a garden hose sprayer mix:
  • 16 ounces Castor Oil (Must use Industrial grade Castor Oil. Hydrogenated Castor Oil has shown ineffective)
  • 4 ounces of Liquid Dish Detergent.
  • Fill to the top of the container with tap water
  • Mix thoroughly.

• Application: Spray the entire contents over the area to be treated; covers approximately 3,000 square feet.

• Caution! Castor oil will stain your clothes.

Remedy Two:

• Ingredients: Cayenne pepper

• Procedure: In a 5 gallon bucket mix:
  • 5 ounces dry cayenne pepper granules
  • 2 gallons play sand
  • Blend the two together until evenly mixed. (See caution comments)

• Application: Use a broadcast or drop spreader to cover approximately 2,000 sq feet.
  • Water your lawn immediately after applying the remedy to ensure the pepper is washed off the grass and into the soil.

• Caution:
  • Use extreme caution when mixing pepper and sand together.
  • Wear goggles, mask and gloves when working with these ingredients.
  • Pepper will burn your eyes; if contact with eyes occurs, flush your eyes with a large amount of water.
  • Wash hands and arms thoroughly after mixing and applying the material.

Remedy Three:

• Ingredients: Ammonia and Murphy Oil Soap

• Procedure: In a garden hose sprayer mix:
  • 16 ounces Ammonia
  • 4 ounces of Murphy Oil Soap
  • Top off the container with tap water and mix thoroughly.

• Application: Spray the entire content over approximately 2,000 square feet area.

• Caution:
  • Do not allow spray mist to come in contact with eyes.
  • Do not breath the spray mist.
  • Wear goggles and mask when applying this remedy.

BGA does not endorse nor are we responsible for the results or the safety issues while using these home remedies. These are home remedies that we are aware that have been tried by other people.