Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

Harlem, GA

Like Clip

Walter, What can I use in my vegetable garden to control insects?

I've been trying to grow vegetables for seven years in Georgia but whatever the deer don't eat the bugs finish off. I have opted not to use insecticides for fear of poisoning the family up until now. I purchased some Seven garden dust. I hate using pesticides but I don't see any other way. I have spent too much time, energy and money to let them get the best of me. I want vegetables this year!! Is the dust safe or do you have any other ideas. Thanks so much!

8 Comments

Patricia W Eugene, OR

Neem Oil is the safest Ive ever used. We use it on our nursery stock, and in my own garden. It does not harm honeybees, which is important. It kills only leaf eating insects." Safer" brand products are also available at most True Value hardware stores. Neem also works on some fungus as well. As for deer, cover what you can in netting and use landscape staples to secure the netting to the ground.

on Jun 13, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

There could probably be a long debate about the relative safety of Sevin, Carol, but I'm of the mind that you need to know what you are battling before applying any insecticide.

on Jun 13, 2012 · Like 0
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

consider spinosad (Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew) as a general purpose organic insecticide. For synthetic insecticide consider Ortho Flower, Fruit & Vegetable Insect Killer

on Jun 13, 2012 · Like 0
CAROL H Harlem, GA

Patricia, I think that if I used Neem oil it would cook my plants. Walter, I tried finding Captain Jacks at local nurseries, but I had no luck. What do you use in your garden?

on Jun 13, 2012 · Like 0
Patricia W Eugene, OR

Oh, I sure wish I could have helped! I know how aggravating it is to lost the battle to nasty insects! There are just so many nasty insects but there are also many beneficial insects we don't want to kill. Hard decision! We have been seeing quite a few honey bees dropping dead around here lately, kind of scary stuff! Best of luck to you!

on Jun 14, 2012 · Like 0
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

Carol - if you can't find it locally you can buy on Amazon

on Jun 14, 2012 · Like 0
CAROL H Harlem, GA

Thanks Patricia. I feel the same. I love my beneficial insects, it seems like the bad insects are winning this year. I have only seen one lady bug so far this year, a few bees and no mantis yet. I often purchased mantis cocoons and lady bugs from the garden center when I lived in So. Cal. Last year I purchased some mantis cocoons on ebay and not a single one hatched? Don't know why the garden centers don't have them for sell here in Georgia. Goodness knows we need them.

on Jun 14, 2012 · Like 0
Sherry Goolsby Richland, MS

I used the ORTHO that was mentioned for Winged/Non-winged APHIDS-it BLISTERED my Vinca and I've fought them all winter,in my greenhouse. Now,they're eating my Verbenas and pretty much ANYTHING that isn't a houseplant! Got some beneficials but not enough yet. Wanna keep my Lizards and KILL the insects!

on May 05, 2013 · Like 0