This is one area I'm worried about... indoor pests. I *may* have my my trees on the deck during the hot weather (better for em!) just worried about bringing them in and the problems being outside may cause.

Any tips? and yes, I know its far off, but it is something I want to be more prepared for!

Betty

Why dont you spray insecticides on your plants so that they dont increase.

I will not spray my plants with insecticides. There are natural ways and other ways to take care of pests. I want to be able to pick my fruit and eat it. not worry about what poisons ut on it. and yes, I know there are natural insecticides but still, I wouldn't want to eat them, so they do NOT go on my plan\ts

Hmm if you dont want to spray insecticides you can spray natural ash which i think is not dangerous for anyone. :)

How to kill insects in the garden using natural ways???

you can use insects to kill of other insects, certain plants, planted near others prevent certain bugs. How healthy you keep the soil and the plants can prevent bugs. there are so many natural ways. If I were to use any sprays, it would be soap/water mixes and or orange oils.

My parents and other ppl I know have many fruit (not citrus) trees and with a simple spraying of soapy water in fall and spring, they've yet to have any problems... other than animals stealing the fruit

I really dont want to use pesticide on my plants because I want the freshest fruit possible. I might have to try the soapy water routine, but im kind of disgusted at the thought of biting into my orange, and having it taste like soap...

Why would your fruit taste like soap? you mist your trees, or outside the rain keeps them clean. If using a mild soap mix to fight certain insects... a soapy taste... is not a problem. Not to mention you peel the orange before eating it

i have known people who do not wash their oranges or mandarins before they eat them. Can you imagine? The justification for that is that they are peeling off the rind anyway, so there is no point. But I think that if there's even the tiniest chance of pesticides or just plain old dirt,the fruit should be washed.

if I'm peeling, theres no point in washing.

But if you are peeling, you're peeling with your hands (and maybe a knife). Your hands touch the outside which could be dirty. Then as you peel, your hands somehow will have contact with the parts that already are peeled. So you inadvertently end up spreading whatever was on the outside over to the inside.

I dont see that being an issue. I pel the rind with my fingers and discard it. the minute things that would be on my hands... wouldnt hurt me.

Just think.. I'm sure most of us will reach out and grab something to eat... say even grab a glass out of the cupboard with our hands, fill it with water to drink... whose to say what our hands may have transfered to the glass and then our mouths may touch it.

I'm not worried. There are many more sourses we need to watch out for that what could be on te outside f an orange

You can make a tea out of pureed garlic and hot peppers that will tear up lots of different bugs. By the same token, if you have any good bugs (lady bugs, etc) it will kill them too. This mixture will not affect the taste of your fruit, but I would still suggest washing the rind off. Some of the peppers down in this part of the country are HOT....I know....I grow them...

You can make a tea out of pureed garlic and hot peppers that will tear up lots of different bugs. By the same token, if you have any good bugs (lady bugs, etc) it will kill them too. This mixture will not affect the taste of your fruit, but I would still suggest washing the rind off. Some of the peppers down in this part of the country are HOT....I know....I grow them...