"Balls in a Bag!"
At our home in SE Arizona in the high desert we are crazy with moths at the lights in the evenings. It can be compared to the mosquitoes in a New England swamp in August. I have a "strong adversion" to flying insects at my door, especially when their entire purpose in life is to get inside and torment me by banging of the lamp shade, diving into my glass of tea (not my husband's, just mine), getting caught in my long hair, bombing my glasses and smearing them with moth dust... you get the idea. I don't like moths.
Last year, John was for the most part house bound. And he maintained his intrigue of "learning the new species" we had both shared moving in. I still agree that there are some of the most beautiful velvet creatures living here. The Masters of Art have given life times to replicate The Mosaic patterns in their wings in such detail. Sun catchers, Dinnerware, quilts have been patterned after them. However, they still know how to get in my house! So, I went to war.
I invested a small fortune in "Natural pesticides", as we have the dogs, hens, and ourselves. Ever notice how much Crysthanimum Spray it takes to knock off a couple bugs? I can tell you. As for that kills on contact line... its a line.
The issue was that the product(s) became tacky instantly, the insects more or less are glued to the wall, and there they die. One's home changes color... Door handles are gross and require endless cleaning. It reminds me of nasty honey slathered on, drying up, a tad crispy. The carcases eventually drop to the ground, begging Tarantulas to come and feast. So they do. That's another story.
My ritual began just before dusk when I would pick up a can and spray every door jamb, window sill and crevice on 3 sides of the house. As the night wore on i wore a T-shirt, knee high snake boots and carried a LED light. Super Hick 101. Look, it was my 1st season south of the Mason-Dixon, where everything in nature wants to kill you , plants, bugs, reptiles, I had other plans. I had had to kill a Western diamond back rattler at 2 am that the dogs cornered between the house and vehicles. (I did not want to kill it, but the dogs would have never let it leave, our safety has to come 1st. We are over an hour from a Triage, people die from these bites, Not often, but you do die)
Spray bug juice all over house 2-4 times a night - sweep patio 2 times a day. Acknowledge husband's displeasure and remind him of the days poisonous Scorpion Body count, 100s times more prevalent and present than any snake in Arizona. Not to be taken lightly. And then research, purchase product to remove gooey dead bugs and flower juice from new house with out damaging the exterior paint. This included the need to scrub the exterior. Yes, it was that bad. No, power washing didn't cut it. He stills says i was crazy insane with the bug juice. OK, He IS RIGHT. Fear is a powerful thing. Arizona bark scorpions are 1-2 in long, the color of the earth, And our carpeting, and 3 out of 4 dogs coats. yes, dog lays down, scorpion attaches, dog brings scorpion in the house, scorpion falls off dog, bites wheel chair bound surgically recovering husband's sensationless foot, husband is struck violently ill and encounters death again... for their sting is capable of killing a toddler under 50 lbs. Not on my watch. Still he was and is right, (i admitted it 2 times now, in writing my love) i needed to find a highly potent effective method that did not create so much unnecessary waste of time and money, and be safe with our critters. Introducing.... "Balls in a Bag!"
Very Very effective! Moth and flying insect control at lit exterior doorways. i can think of many other uses too, but i can attest that this works. It may be important to note that our doorways are covered and no longer get wet...
Ingredients:
- 1-2 netted produce bags, 4x6 in size is nice (recycle, reuse, re-purpose) or
- 1/4 yd of tulle - netting from the fabric section (remnants, sewing stash, removed from costumes or other garments, perhaps a gown from the 2nd Hand Store that you bought for the satin... or
- Cheese Cloth - folded over itself again and again til you have a 8x8, 10x10 square
- 1 yard of a strong, yet thin string, yarn, sinew, twine
- 1 Cup of Good Old Fashion MOTH BALLS
tools Not Required -
but a small plastic bowl or small coffee can is handy. you will want the container taller than the top opening
Gloves - any kind optional - wash your hands very very good when you are doneGallon sized Ziploc Bag - this you will want
Time:
4 minutes construction - 20 mins gathering supplies!
Directions:
- Take your bag place it inside the can so the opening is at the top. The can acts as a stable holder or other pair of hands.
- Tie a large Slip Knot at one end of your length of string. Slip it over the outside of the can bottom, loose, slide it to the top of the can..
- put on your gloves
- open box of moth balls,
- Slowly add about a cup, or a very very large handful into the "bag" in the can.
- immediately close the box of moth balls and secure inside the freezer bag... you will want to do this fairly quick.
- gather the ends or edges of your bag nice and evenly pointing up, hold in your hand as you slide the string off the can, as soon as you clear the rim begin to pull on the string, to close the slipknot Very tightly.
- Then wrap the length of string around the bag 2 or 3 times tying a new square knot each time. Be sure this is very tight and the moth balls have no escape routes..
- Using another square knot, or overhand knot, tie the ends of the string together. here you can use whatever knot you want. It has no importance as long as it stays tied
- Take your Bag of Balls outside and hang over your doorway light. You will want the bag to hang 6-8 inches from the bulb or fixture. The super strong order will dissipate in 2-3 days but the repelling ability lasts 3 weeks in a breeze!
The dogs can't reach to eat nor can the hens or small folks (kids). Its as safe as it gets and is Clean.
You can color coordinate to match your house
Tie a beautiful Bow Ribbon to it with a Seasonal Dangler or Welcome sign -
Maybe dried flowers or Eucalyptus branches - to punch it up a repel even a larger number of varied insects add lavender and rosemary, perhaps some lemon grass or Bee Balm - yes it really really works.
I know this sounds like a gag but it is real, economic and most important it is safe.
You will know when it is time to refill the moth balls. The National Forest, Monument Services use moth balls through out our great Parks and monuments especially in very ancient ruins, places they can't allow rodents to live. By eliminating the rodents in this safe method they also are repelling snakes, indirectly. Snakes are only looking for food. Remove the food - in this case any member of the rodent family and snakes will go someplace else to hunt. This has worked so well for us that I will be hanging Bags of Balls all around our property.
Bonus Section
Moth Balls are now available in little sachets like a tea bag. A neighboring mechanic tapes these to areas under the hood to prevent rodents from chewing wires on his equipment and vehicles. Including the riding lawn mower that is used just 2-3 times a year here.
Natural Mexican Fly Repellent
No Lie - Cross my heart - if you go to Tombstone you will see every door way on historic Allen Street has a gallon zip lock bag 1/3 filled with water, hanging beside it. If you look close you will see a shiny penny in the bottom - There isn't any authentic Lab Testing for this but the theory is:
the sunlight reflects and refracts through the water and then again the plastic bag (glass) the water also magnifies the penny coupled with the water swirls appears to flying insects such as flies and bees as a GIANT Spider with a Web. They avoid this "trap". And truly stay 5-10 ft from the bag. There are no flies in Tombstone open air stores and restaurants - just bags of water. The store owners swear buy it, I never saw a fly all the times I have been there
Scorpion Repellent
Lavender in a sachet bag placed in a window sill will keep scorpions away, Here again, add rosemary, thyme and the smallest of flies will advert. And it is Child safe. Once a week you can add a drop or 2 of pure essential oil to boost its power. You may want to place them in your boots too, just in case.
If you have any thoughts, ideas, comments or any thing to add please do! and follow this blog for more tales and tips & tutorials from Apache Lands.
Feed Your Senses!!
redwolf
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