NATURAL INSECT CONTROL
Organic
gardening produces plants that are more resistant to insects than
conventional gardening. However, no garden will be completely
insect free. Insect problems can be dealt with effectively using natural
sprays, biological methods, and other organic gardening practices.
3-STEPS TO NATURAL INSECT CONTROL
-
STEP 1.
Identify the most likely insect that has invaded your garden by
using the
Vegetable Insect Table
to lookup the vegetable and see what insects are common to that
plant.
-
STEP 2.
Identify the exact
insect by using the
Insect
Identification and Control Table.
Make note of the control methods listed for the insect.
-
STEP 3. Choose
the control methods you prefer. Make your selections from
Insect Natural Spray Formulas,
Insect
Biological Control Methods,
or
Insect
Prevention Practices.
VEGETABLE
INSECT
TABLE
|
VEGETABLE |
INSECTS |
|
Asparagus |
Cutworm |
|
Beans |
Aphid, Stinkbug, Spider Mite |
|
Beets |
Grub
Worm, Aphid, Blister Bug, Nematode |
|
Cabbage Family |
Looper,
Aphid, Harlequin Bug |
|
Cantaloupe |
Aphid,
Beetle, Squash Bug |
|
Carrots |
Grub
Worm, Cutworm, Wire Worm |
|
Celery |
Aphid,
Leaf Miner, Nematode |
|
Corn |
Corn Earworm, Blister Bug |
|
Cucumber |
Aphid,
Beetle, Squash Bug |
|
Eggplant |
Leaf
Miner, Potato Bug |
|
Lettuce |
Cutworm,
Aphid, Looper |
|
Mustard |
Aphid |
|
Okra |
Aphid, Stinkbug |
|
Onions |
Thrip,
Cutworm, Blister Bug |
|
Peas |
Aphid,
Blister Bug |
|
Peppers |
Leaf Miner, Aphid |
|
Potatoes |
Potato
Bug, Grub Worm, Nematode, Aphid |
|
Pumpkin |
Cucumber
Beetle, Vine Borer |
|
Radish |
Aphid,
Flea Beetle, Nematode |
|
Spinach |
Aphid, Looper |
|
Squash |
Vine
Borer, Squash Bug, Aphid |
|
Sweet Potatoes |
Sweet
Potato Weevil, Nematode |
|
Tomatoes |
Spider Mite, Hornworm, Cutworm |
|
Turnips |
Grub
Worm, Aphid, Flea Beetle, Nematode |
|
Watermelon |
Aphid,
Cucumber Beetle |
INSECT
IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL TABLE
Google search can be used to find pictures and more information on the individual insects.
|
INSECT |
DESCRIPTION |
CONTROL METHOD |
|
Aphid |
Small,
pale green to dark insect found on the underside of leaves
causing them to curl. |
Hydrogen Peroxide Formula, Ivory Soap Formula, Molasses Formula,
or ladybugs. |
|
Blister Beetle |
A
gray, black, or yellow beetle with black stripes, about ¾ inch
long; causes painful blisters when touched. |
Insect
Formula or hand pick with gloves on and destroy. |
|
Corn
Earworm |
A worm
about 1” long that burrows into the tip of the corn ear and
feeds on the kernels. |
Bacillus Thuringiensis, or apply a few drops of mineral oil to
the base of the silk after it begins to darken.
|
|
Cucumber Beetle |
A
small elongated yellowish beetle with either spots or stripes. |
Insect
Formula, Molasses Formula, Wood Ash Formula, or hand pick and
destroy. |
|
Cutworm |
Light-colored worm found at the base of young plants that cut
off the plant at soil line. |
Bacillus Thuringiensis, or place a 2 inch piece of fine wire
flush against the stem, 1 ½ inches into the soil.
|
|
Flea
Beetle |
Small,
very active, hard-to-see beetle which varies in color. Eats
holes in the leaves of plants. |
Hydrogen Peroxide Formula, Ivory Soap Formula or Molasses
Formula. |
|
Grub
Worm |
Small
to medium sized white grub with a dark head. Feeds on roots. |
Turn
soil in late fall or early winter; or pasteurize the soil. |
|
Harlequin Bug |
Small,
shield-shaped black and orange bug. Attacks all parts of the
plant above the soil line. |
Insect
Formula, Molasses Formula, Wood Ash Formula or hand pick and
destroy. |
|
Hornworm |
Large
green worm with a horn on posterior. A ravenous feeder that
rapidly strips foliage. |
Bacillus Thuringiensis or hand pick and destroy. |
|
Leaf
Miner |
Minute
larva that tunnels through the interior part of the leaf. |
Remove
infected leaves and destroy. Prevent by crop rotation or soil
Pasteurization. |
|
Looper |
Small
green worm without legs along its middle that causes it to move
in a looping manner. |
Bacillus Thuringiensis, Ivory Soap Formula, Molasses Formula, or
Tomato Formula. |
|
Nematode |
Small
to microscopic worm that attacks plant roots and produces galls
or knots. |
Pasteurize the soil. Add humus to the soil or till under a
green manure crop. |
|
Potato
Beetle |
Adult
is yellow with black stripes; larva is red brick color; both are
around ¼ inch long. |
Insect
formula, Molasses Formula or hand pick and destroy. |
|
Spider
Mite |
Minute
red mite that feeds on underside of leaves and builds silvered
webs. |
Hydrogen Peroxide Formula, or Spray underside of leaves with
plain water. |
|
Squash
Bug |
Gray ½
inch long bug with a flat back. Sucks plant juices causing
wilt. |
Insect
formula, Molasses Formula or hand pick and destroy. |
|
Stinkbug |
Light-colored, medium-sized bug that emits a disagreeable odor. |
Insect
formula, Molasses Formula or hand pick and destroy. |
|
Sweet
Potato Weevil |
Adult
is a reddish ant-like beetle whose larva tunnels through vines
and roots. |
Rotate
crops and Pasteurize the soil. |
|
Thrip |
Minute
insect that causes whitish blotches on leaves that turn brown
and die. |
Ivory Soap Formula, Molasses Formula or rotate
crops and Pasteurize the soil. |
|
Vine
Borer |
Larva
of a red and black wasp-like moth. Bores into the stem and
kills the plant. |
Ivory
Soap Formula or Molasses Formula to keep moths from laying eggs
on plants. |
|
Wire
Worm |
Slender, jointed, hard-shelled worm that grows to 1 ½ inches
long. Lives in acid poorly aerated soil. Feeds entirely
underground. |
Adjust
soil pH and add humus to improve soil aeration. |
NATURAL
INSECT SPRAY FORMULAS
|
NAME |
RECIPE |
APPLICATION |
|
Hydrogen Peroxide Formula |
Thoroughly mix together 8 ounces of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, 8
ounces of white sugar, and one gallon of water. |
Spray
on top and underside of foliage. |
|
Insect
Formula |
Collect 1 cup of the offending insects, put them in a food
blender with 2 cups of water and blend at high speed for 20—30
seconds. Stir into 2 gallons of plain water.
|
Strain
and spray on foliage. |
|
Ivory
Soap Formula |
Put 1
clump of garlic in a food blender with 2 cups of water. Blend
at high speed for 20 seconds. Mix the garlic, 2 tablespoons of
cayenne pepper, 1 cup of ivory dish soap, and 2 gallons of
water. |
Strain
and spray on top and underside of foliage. |
|
Molasses Formula |
Stir 1
cup of Blackstrap Molasses into 2 gallons of water.
|
Spray
on top and underside of foliage. |
|
Rhubarb Formula |
Steep
1 pound of rhubarb leaves in 2 gallons of water for 24 hours. |
Cool,
strain and spray on top and underside of foliage. |
|
Tomato
Formula |
Boil 1
gallon of chopped tomato leaves and stems in 3 gallons of water
for 10 minutes. |
Cool,
strain and spray on top and underside of foliage. |
|
Wood
Ash Formula |
Mix 1
pint of wood ashes, 1 pint of hydrated lime (do not use slaked
or quick lime) and 2 gallons of water. |
Strain
and spray on top and underside of foliage. |
INSECT
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL METHODS
|
NAME |
DESCRIPTION |
APPLICATION |
|
Bacillus Thuringiensis |
Bacillus Thuringiensis is a bacteria that attacks insect larvae
and some adults. The bacteria attacks and paralyses the insects
gut. The insect ceases eating immediately and dies after 3-4
days. |
Bacillus Thuringiensis is available in several forms at most
nurseries and garden shops. See instructions on the package for
instructions. |
|
Ladybugs |
Both
the adult and larvae eat aphids, and a great variety of other
insect eggs and larvae. |
Ladybugs are available at most nurseries and garden shops.
Prepare the release area with mulch around the base of the
plants and water the area well. Gently place them at the base
of the plants very late in the day so they do not fly away. |
INSECT
PREVENTION PRACTICES
|
PRACTICE |
DESCRIPTION |
|
Crop
Rotation |
Crops
are rotated to prevent disease. Soil-borne diseases are
controlled by not planting crops in the same area in succeeding
years. See
Crop Rotation.
|
|
Soil
Pasteurization |
Soil
Pasteurization rids the soil of garden pests such as bacteria,
fungus, insects, and weeds. Soil Pasteurization must be done
during several weeks of hot weather.
See Soil Preparation. |
 |
|
