Slugs can destroy foliage faster than plants can grow. They also feed on fruits and vegetables prior to harvest, making holes in the crops. Slugs bodies are mostly water and the soft tissue of their bodies are tender and prone to dry out. They must generate protective mucus to survive. Many species are most active just after rain or morning dew. In drier conditions, they hide in damp places under tree bark, mulch, fallen logs, rocks and manmade structures, such as planters, to help retain body moisture.

See our blog "The Slime on Slugs" for more information.

CABBAGE BUGS

Cabbage bugs are destructive to cabbage and other related plants, such as broccoli and radishes.

To get rid of cabbage bugs on plants, sprinkle the plant with self-rising flour in the morning.

MOSQUITOS

Mosquito Dunks:  This biological pest control product kills mosquito larvae but is completely non-toxic to animals such as fish, birds, wildlife and pets. Each individual dunk will last up to 30 days in standing water and will cover 100 square feet of surface. Safe to use in pet watering bowls, horse troughs, lakes, bird baths, fish ponds, flower pots, aquatic gardens, flood control basins, unused swimming pools and other areas where standing water is a possible breeding ground for mosquitos.

TENT CATERPILLARS AND WEB WORMS

Tent Caterpillars and Web Worms are a serious nuisance. Periodic outbreaks result in masses of unsightly tents in trees and defoliation of deciduous trees. They normally attack trees but during heavy infestations, they will migrate to many other types of plants. Trees infested with several tents are often totally defoliated. A single occurrence rarely kills a tree, but it does reduce growth and makes the tree more susceptible to other hazards such as drought, freezing or disease.

The simpliest way to control them is to remove and destroy the larvae and their nests by stripping or pruning them from branches. Evening and early morning are the best times for this because the caterpillars tend to congregate in their nests at night. When the tents are numerous or hard to reach, chemical controls are recommended. Infested trees may be sprayed with the biological insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.). This control is selective; it kills only caterpillars and is relatively safe for other insects, fish, birds, and warm-blooded animals. The effects of B.t. are not immediately apparent. Caterpillars must eat a moderate amount of treated leaf to get an effective dose, therefore thorough coverage of foliage is necessary. They will sicken and stop feeding right away, but they do not die for a few days.

Dragonflies feed on pesky flying insects, particularly mosquitoes. Beckon dragonflies to your pond by adding aquatic plants. They don’t eat the plants but use them to perch, rest and lay eggs. Also add some large stones for them to bask in the sun. They are more attracted to flat, light-colored rocks.

GNATS

A bowl full of vinegar and a little dishsoap is a popular way to reduce gnat populations by trapping them. Gnats go for the vinegar in the hopes of a good meal, and find that the lack of water tension caused by the dishsoap won't let them out of the bowl.

FLIES

To reduce the number of flies that follow you in through an open door, put water and pennies into a plastic bag. Tie the bag closed with a string and hang the bag, on the outside, near the door. The flies will see this as a hornet's nest (their natural enemy) and they will avoid the area.

HOMEMADE GARDEN INSECTICIDES

Soap Spray: Soap has been used for centuries as an all-purpose pesticide. It disrupts insects cell membranes, and kills pests by dehydration.  The key is to not use too much soap, or you'll kill the plant too. The first thing you need to be sure of is that you use unscented liquid soap, NOT detergent. Next, be sure to spray the undersides of the leaves, as well as the top. The recipe is simple:

Ground cloves: Insects don't like the strong scent and taste of cloves, and cloves will successfully get rid of crawling insects in the garden and will kill flying insects. Combine approximately two tablespoons of ground cloves with a quart of water. Spray infested plants with this mixture (be sure to spray the underside of leaves). Reapply after rain or watering.

Tobasco & Garlic:  Combine one teaspoon of tobasco sauce, four cloves of garlic and a quart of water. Blend well in a blender and strain with cheesecloth or nylon mesh. Pour into a sprayer. This mixture will repel many insects, including whiteflies, apids, spidermites and caterpillars.