Controlling garden pests (8 posts)

Topic tags: aphids, bugs, catmint, cucumber, cucumber beetles, diatomaceous earth, garden pests, pepper sprays, soap spray, squash, squash bugs
  • Profile picture of Wendy Wendy said 10 months, 3 weeks ago:

    The invasion is here.  I thought it would be good to post how everyone controls their garden pests.

     

    Early in the season, my tomato plants were attacked by aphids.  As disgusting as they are, they are also the easiest things to get rid of.  A simple spray of the hose followed by a simple spray of a mix of fels naptha soap and water will get rid of the pests.  Once knocked off the plant they do not return.

     

    I also had an issue with caterpillars eating my tomato plant leaves as well as flowers.  A simple shake of diatomaceous earth helped dry them up.

     

    Now on to the problem childs…….. SQUASH BUGS AND CUCUMBER BEETLES!

     

    Alas, I have tried about everything but the kitchen sink and these things just real back and laugh at me!  Really!  I have tried organic sprays, diatomaceous earth, soap sprays, pepper and garlic sprays, even whole crushed garlic and onions under the plants……… HA…. no help!  I know people say that Sevin works, but I do not want to resort to this because of the health issues despite they claim it’s “safety”.  To date nothing has been more helpful than daily vigilance of picking the adult bugs and searching the plants for eggs.  Now when I say diligence… I mean picking 2-3 times per day… EVERY day!  Do not miss a day or you will slide backwards.  Do not be afraid to move your plant around… look under every leaf, around and under every stem and around the base of the plant.  A help is to put a barrier down of cardboard around the plant.  The bugs will tend to go under the cardboard seeking the cooler temps and moisture.  This way it is easier for you to simply lift the cardboard and have a way at them!  I also recently read that beetles do not like catnip… so, seeing as I have an abundance of catmint growing in the perennial garden, I am trying this.  So far so good.  The bugs scattered like flies soon after sprinkling the crushed mint around the plants including leaving them scattered on the leaves.  I will post an update later to let you know if they “remained” away.

     

    So, got bugs????? let’s hear about it!  What are you doing to control the “gardener’s nightmare”?

     

    sprite
    #
  • Profile picture of Cindy Cindy said 10 months, 3 weeks ago:

    Have you tried a grenade with those cucumber beetles?   Foot in mouth

    sprite
    #
  • Profile picture of Wendy Wendy said 10 months, 3 weeks ago:

    Well… if it looks like I will lose this battle then I will throw a few M80′s out there and school them in “who will win the war”!!!  Wink

     

    sprite
    #
  • Profile picture of Kim Mills Kim Mills said 10 months, 3 weeks ago:

    I’m fighting the cucumber bugs and squash beetles to.  Grr!  Most evil garden bugs their are.  I planted quite a few different heirloom squash this year, hoping to find some that are not bothered by the bugs.  So far the Zucchinio is doing great!  The plants are smaller then my other squash, but it was planted quite a bit later then everything else.  Still there are NO bugs on it!  If it continues to do well, I just might use this as my only squash from now on.

     

    How did the catnip work out?  I have lots of dry catnip I could try if it’s working for you.

     

     

    sprite
    #
  • Profile picture of Wendy Wendy said 10 months, 3 weeks ago:

    It is a no go on the catnip.  When I went back out to check there were bugs everywhere.  However, I put aluminum foil under some of the plants, and the ones that I did had no bugs on them at all  the rest of the day!  Soooo… It looks like aluminum foil will be my garden friend this year.

     

    I found my first squash nymph tonight on one of the plants with no aluminum foil.  rrrrr…. this means round two has begun!  I guess I must have missed a few eggs.

    sprite
    #
  • Profile picture of Kim Mills Kim Mills said 10 months, 3 weeks ago:

    Hmm interesting on the foil.  Is it still working for you?  With this heat, I’m afraid if I try that I might cook my plants. lol

     

    sprite
    #
  • Profile picture of Wendy Wendy said 10 months, 3 weeks ago:

    Yup it works, and it hasn’t killed the plants yet!

    sprite
    #
  • Profile picture of Jo Jo said 6 months, 1 week ago:

    Where OH where was this post last summer when I was going out 9 and 10 times a day to kill off hundreds of the dang things every time ?

     

    I had 1 little old yellow straightneck squash plant… after the squash bugs got ahold of it, there wasn’t much left for the ants and the cucumber beetles, but they all did quite well on it.  I did get 3 squashes off of it though.  Next year, I am going to try Wendy’s idea of tinfoil.  Wendy, do you put it shiny side up, or dull side up ?

    sprite
    #