Natural Pesticides for Moles and Crickets

Natural Mole Pesticide

• To get rid of moles naturally, mix together 1 cup of liquid dish soap, 1 cup of castor oil and 2 tbsp. of alum that has been dissolved in a little hot water, as recommended by Jerry Baker in "Jerry Baker's Bug Off!". Mix this mixture into a 20-gallon hose-end sprayer filled with water. Spray over all the areas where the moles are suspected. Mole presence is indicated by the round piles of loose dirt that the animals leave at the entrances to their tunnels.

Pesticide for Use in Mole Tunnels

• Identify active mole tunnels by lightly tapping closed the opening of present tunnels and marking them with a rock or stick. Check again a couple of days later; the entrances of active tunnels will be open again. Make a natural pesticide by mixing together 1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap, 1 tsp. of chili powder, and 1-½ tbsp. of hot chili sauce in 1 quart of water. Once the active tunnels have been identified, pour this mixture down each opening.

Pesticide for Crickets

• Prepare a natural spray that not only works on crickets but a number of other pests, including maggots and flies, suggests Jerry Baker in "Jerry Baker's Bug Off!". Puree together three medium garlic cloves, three hot green peppers and one small onion. Mix the puree into 1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap and 3 cups of water. Place the mixture in a jar, cover it and leave it for 24 hours. Strain this mixture and use the liquid to spray the crickets.

Biological Pesticide

• Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, is a natural pesticide that controls crickets. The pesticide contains proteins that are produced by the spore-forming bacteria from the Bacillus genus. Once it's ingested by crickets or other target pests, the bacteria produce holes in the gut, from which the gut content starts to enter the bloodstream. Crickets start to die within a few days of feeding.