How do you stay ahead of garden pests w/o insecticide?
by
DonR
just restarted gardening this year after 20+ years since first one. We want as organic as possible from prep to harvest. We had squash borers and couldn't get rid of them soon enough even with otc organic pest spray. We could not sit in the garden and manually remove them...Also ants...Any guidelines to prevent/stop/remove pests that doesn't require lotso $$$$ and labor? I am afraid we may have to quit before we get thru a season. too bad, what we have gotten was delicious...
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Try food grade Diatomaceous Earth for the ants, it kills any insect with an exoskeleton. Sweetened Cornbread and muffin mix does kill ants also, but will take longer. I actually in vegetable gardening since the mid eighties, I haven't had many insect problems that really shortened my harvests, but occasionally have a critter problem with my green beans.
For insects in the garden, spritz with good, old-fashioned white vinegar. Repeat every 3 or 4 days. If you see ant hills, pour club soda on them. The carbon dioxide displaces oxygen and that will kill the queen. The above comment is also correct, Jiffy cornbread mix will kill ants. For bigger uninvited guests, like bunnies, squirrels, deer, etc., spread out some shredded Irish Spring bar soap. You can shred the bars on a box grater or even in a food processor. Animals hate the smell and taste of the soap. I have learned these little tips by living next to woods and a river for years. None of these methods will harm your plants. Best of luck to you.
thanks, so much, everyone. I just had eye surgery and my wife has been having to do the garden by herself....I appreciate the aid and info esp. for her.