It reminded me of something learned a few years ago from an entomologist. I admired the landscape at her estate sale and we got into a lengthy conversation on plants and pests. I was having a problem with yellow jackets but didn't like using chemical pesticides. She explained that they didn't have lungs, so, the "trick" was to block their pores. The recipe was: Into an everyday spray bottle, add 2 teaspoons of Dawn and 1-2 teaspoons of the original Listerine. Fill the bottle with water, shake to mix the combination and spray directly onto the enemy. Depending on their size, you might have to double the ingredients.
Once at home, I followed her instructions, confronted the perpetrators and BINGO...within 15 seconds, they were hardly moving...death by suffocation! I recall her saying Dawn was sticky enough to adhere to them and the combination of that and Listerine were all required to eliminate the pests.
I tried it on wasps, carpenter ants in the garage and other invaders. And...if the queen isn't fed, she will succumb to starvation. I must say, her wisdom allowed me to be safe while not absorbing any dangerous chemicals. Obviously, pets won't be affected. Happy gardening!
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