General Instructions

• 1). Thoroughly wash the plastic milk jug, using water and any brand of dish detergent.
  
  
• 2). Dry jug completely.
  
  
• 3). Decide what type of pests you are trying to control and where they are found. Each will have a slightly different solution.
  
  
• 4). Select a milk jug appropriate to the size of your plants, bushes or trees. Pint jugs work on small bushes and larger climbing vines; half-gallon or gallon jugs are appropriate for larger bushes or trees.
  
  

To control aphids on rose bushes:

• 1). Using spray paint designed for plastics, paint milk jug in the color of your choice. Green is a good color if you want the jug to blend in with bush's greenery.
  
  
• 2). Allow spray paint to dry completely. Add second coat if needed.
  
  
• 3). On one side of the jug, cut three rectangular slits, approximately 1 inch long by 1/4 inch wide. The three slits should be spaced approximately 1/2 inch apart. Ladybugs will use these slits to enter their milk jug home, and they will eat the aphids from your rosebushes.
  
  
• 4). Remove the jug's cover and follow the manufacturer's directions to insert ladybug attractant. Replace cover.
  
  
• 5). Place the jug handle on a sturdy branch. Alternately, you can place a small shepherd's hook near the bush and hang the jug from the hook.
  
  

To control a variety of pests in your vegetable garden

• 1). Remove the cover from a clean pint or half-gallon milk jug.
  
  
• 2). Fill the jug with the apple cider, vinegar and sugar mixture.
  
  
• 3). Cut the banana peel into tiny pieces; add to the jug.
  
  
• 4). Add cold water and replace the jug cover.
  
  
• 5). Shake the jug vigorously to mix the solution.
  
  
• 6). Tie string to the jug handle.
  
  
• 7). Remove the jug cover and tie the jug to a shepherd's hook placed in or near plants in your garden. Alternately, you can set the jug on the ground.
  
  
• 8). Check the jugs weekly; clean them and replace with a fresh mixture of apple cider vinegar, sugar and water.
  
  

To control apple maggot on apple trees:

• 1). Use this solution in July and August, when apple maggot flies lay their eggs.
  
  
• 2). Punch or cut holes in a clean milk jug. Holes should be randomly spaced on all sides of the jug. They should be approximately ½ inch to ¾ wide. Cut a larger hole (1 to 2 inches wide) near the bottom of the jug.
  
  
• 3). Place a funnel in one of the larger holes and pour the mixture of water, apple cider vinegar, sugar and molasses into the funnel. The mixture will flow into bottom of the jug.
  
  
• 4). Tie a string on the jug and hang it on apple tree near developing apples.
  
  
• 5). Place jugs on several tree limbs throughout the tree to entice the apple maggot fly away from developing fruit.