Birdhouses and flowering shrubs help attract some insect-eating birds to the home garden. These include brews made from rhubarb, onion, garlic and soap. They can be spread on the ground, brushed on tree trunks, or sprayed directly on plants. Some natural substances can be used as traps. A brew of molasses and lemon juice in water, for instance, will attract and drown earwigs.
Slugs react the same way to beer or honey.
A mixture of peanut butter and boric acid will attract and kill carpenter ants. Like the use of integrated pest management in agriculture, environmentally sound pest control in the garden requires time, knowledge, dedication and a considerable understanding of the biological community around the home. Such techniques allow us to participate directly in encouraging a stronger, healthier environment. If Benet's fiddler ever does appear, he will no doubt emerge in a well-loved garden.