Organic Pest Control

Question

Help please...All of a sudden today, these pesky things on my broccoli plants. Not sure but I think they might be flea beetles. Any advice on how to get rid of them organically?

Patricia W · Answer

I think any SAFER brand product is great. Those are really doing a number on your plants. They remind me of aphids. I like Neem. I used it for years and it wont harm bees or non leaf eating good guys.

Nancy Hand · Answer

It looks like aphids to me! :)

Donna C · Answer

I read in a book if you put aluminum foil under plants it confuses the afids and they go away.I have not tried it.Also I believe it is vinegar, few drops of dish soap, water spay on plants

Sicilian Rose · Answer

Thank you everyone. Donna C, I have everything I need to try the dish soap mixture so I will try that. I will also look into the SAFER products and Neem. Thanks again!

Laurie · Answer

Dish soap works like a charm. I use Clorox Organic to rid my plants of aphids. What a lot of folks don't understand is it will take a couple weeks to get rid of them. The soap kills what is on the plant immediately but aphids will continue to hatch in the ground. You will see smaller aphids on your plant in a few days. Spray again and check in a few more days. You will totally remove the pests if you do this for a couple weeks. I also spray my plants with clear water after the soap/water spray only because I worry that the sun may dry the soap and possibly affect my plant.

Laurie · Answer

Vinegar is used as a weed killer so it may kill your plants.

Judy · Answer

Vinegar will acidify the soil. Broccoli requires a neutral Ph of 6.0 to 7.5. Too much acid & it will fail to thrive.
Just use a weak dish detergent & water solution to spray the aphids or get some ladybugs to eat them.

Toni H · Answer

Neem is a pesticide and,fungicide, It is a made from the neem evergreen tree; It is non toxic google it.It wont hurt bees butterflies etc. I saw some at lowes for 9.99 and you use 2 tablespoons per gallon and it works great. If your local Lowes doesn't have it try a local nursery .

Laurie · Answer

Wow Toni H I didn't know that. I will have to get some.

Sicilian Rose · Answer

Thank you everyone! This is great information. I did not add vinegar to the dish soap. Thank you Laurie and Judy for the information on the vinegar. Where do you get ladybugs? I have only seen 1 or 2 in the yard this year. I did not know it might take a couple of weeks of applying the dish soap mixture. I will continue to use it for a longer time period next time around. I purchased a bottle of Safer brand Neem and have made one application with it. Will check the plants tomorrow to see how they are doing.

Catherine Smith · Answer

There are several nurseries that sell ladybug larva, however, you would be wise to include plantings of various veggies and flowers so they want to stay in your yard. Wonderful little helpful critters, are ladybugs.

Lawrence Wang · Answer

In my opinion, you should plant catnip plant around your broccoli plants. Catnip works as natural and organic pesticides and will keep your plants free for pest. If you wish to know more about organic pesticides visit: http://pinnaclepest.com/

Chas' Crazy Creations · Answer

Here's a post that might help - https://chascrazycreations.com/keep-pests-out-of-your-garden/

Organic Pest Control

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Organic Pest Control

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