Although most of us like to avoid the use of toxic pesticides, you don‘t need to put up with ants swarming your counters. Boric acid or borax will kill ants and even cockroaches. Since most ants like sweets, you can mix a little bit of honey or other type of sugar with boric acid and make a paste. Cut out some 2-inch by 2-inch cardboard squares and smear the paste on. Put these in the ant trail, where they will gobble it up and take the residues back to the nest.

A home-made garden spray that will discourage most pests consists of a mashed garlic paste combined with some cayenne or horseradish. Add a small amount to a gallon jug and let it sit for a day or two, shaking it now and then. Spray a small amount onto a few leaves first to make sure it doesn‘t burn them.

Most nurseries these days have Neem Oil, which is harmless to humans but sprayed on garden plants discourages all types of fungi, molds and even ants.

If you would like more details on these types of natural solutions to pests, try the book Dead Snails Leave No Trails by Nancarrow and Taylor, or visit the website http://www.betterbasics.com.