Q&A Master Gardeners

What household products can be used to kill poison ivy leaves or stems or both? What household products would kill tiny ants or box elder bugs but not harm forget me nots or lily of the valley flowers?

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s position on home remedies: “We Do Not

Cornell Cooperative Extension, Livingston County

Recommend this practice.”

Use Register Pesticides

Labeled for your intended site/ pest combination and follow all use instructions and safety precautions on the label.

“Always read and follow the label when applying pesticide.

The label is the law.” While people who promote making home remedies with familiar household ingredients to control pests are well intentioned, common claims about home remedies are inaccurate. What about claims that home remedies are safer than store-bought pesticides? Though it might surprise you, home remedies can actually pose MORE risk to you, other people, and the environment. Kenneth Glenn Estes, Jr | Agriculture Program Manager, Cornell Cooperative Extension | Livingston County