Bug Damage - Growing a Vegetable Garden

[sharons04]

Yeah I don't use it...on anything

[sharons04]

Donald I use eight very potent stuff works on ants to

[webcajun]

@sharons04 ... I read the label for Eight and it says “not for edible crops”......Donald 

[jeanineadele]

I have a little garden pest that looks just like yours, her name is Carolina. :-)

[webcajun]

@jeanineadele …I lost both of mine and miss having em around…..Donald

[jeanineadele]

@webcajun Sorry to hear that, Lucy always made me smile.

[fiddledeedaa]

Somethin' is eatin' my Garden!!!!!!!!!

[webcajun]

@fiddledeedaa ... Liquid Sevin........Donald

[gizmotwadlebutt]

Do you have trouble with cucumber beatles?

On some lables the amount of time until you can harvest just has PHI with a number. This means prehavest interval and the number is in days until you can harvest after applying the spray. I am sure most folks will know this but it may help someone.

[gizmotwadlebutt]

Do you have trouble with cucumber beatles?

[webcajun]

@gizmotwadlebutt ...Yes we have em around here too......Donald

[2Bibleppl]

I really like your large black mater head garden pest (((HUGS)))) to him/her.Thanks for all of the great information.

[webcajun]

@2Bibleppl ...You're welcome, glad you enjoy......Donald

[witcheswind]

i USE SEVAN BECAUSE ITS DOG AND CAT FRIENDLY

[SidneyBou]

Goodness you explain it well. You must keep the insects at bay. You must keep the plants fertlized. Least is best but when you have to you have to.

[webcajun]

@SidneyBou ...Like anything else use only as much as you have to......Donald

[DesertDigger1]

Last year I had a cut worm problem with my okra plants here in S.E.Az.Theres a website called Southwest Gardening through New Mexico University,with many how to videos and its free.Any how I cut the ends off plastic water bottles and placed them over my young okra plants and low and behold if it didnt work! I removed the bottels when the plants got about a foot tall past a stage where the cut worms couldnt "saw' off the plants.

[webcajun]

@DesertDigger1 ...good tip.....Donald

[ads92557]

I had a real problem with green horned worms on my tomato plants. I tried the ivory dish washing detergent along with hot peppers and garlic and that didn't do a thing to keep them off my plants. I don't know if the bar of soap makes a difference but I will give that a shot this year. I did buy sevin and it does work but I didn't know if I was using to much and concerned that it would get into the veggies. Did you have good results using the ivory concauction on the same plants you used 7 on?

[webcajun]

@ads92557 ... Sevin works real well on the horn worms. Usually one application is all it takes. The organic spray works on some insects but not all. It also has to be applied on a regular basis. I found it's best use before you have a real problem and not wait till you see lots of damage. Would I depend entirely on the organic spray, of course not......Donald

[bobboberan]

I use 8 oz of hydrogen peroxide and 8 oz of white sugar per gallon of water it's pretty sticky and like 7 will clog up your sprayer .

[spokanetrish]

You crack me up! "LUCY!" I've watched at least half of your vid's...keep 'em coming! I bet those grandbabies of yours are still talking about GrandDad's Driveway Tomatoes :-) You so remind me of friends we left back in Missouri...take care!

[webcajun]

@spokanetrish ... Now I have what looks like a cantaloupe vine growing in the same spot. Glad you enjoy the videos......Donald

[ScopedOUT2]

Hey Webcajun,

Why don't you just use compost tea to control bug damage and plant some marigolds near your plants. Compost tea will be very good for you and your crops.

#1 Its very inexpensive and you can make it yourself

#2 It will cause your plants to grow extraordinarily large

#3 It should create a wax seal when you spray it on your plants (above and below leaves) and thus kept out bugs.

The marigolds will also prevent other pests from coming along and doing damage like nematodes.

[jakearick]

@ScopedOUT2 I wish that compost tea and marigolds would keep all bugs away but they dont. In fact I have used a good compost tea in combination with companion planting and crop rotation and of course I will still get infestations. Soap/hot sauce sprays dont work for cabbage worms. I think companion planting is a good idea but it is not going to a whole lot in terms of keeping pests away.

[ScopedOUT2]

@jakearick Compost tea will create a wax layer and seal your plants. If that's not good enough you should use copper lining around beds to keep slugs out. Otherwise, theres some sort of natural deficiency in the food cycle. Therefore, you should introduce native animals to control these pests. If you can't use native animals, some farm animals work fine. For example, ducks will control your slug problem to levels that are manageable for your farm or garden.

[jakearick]

@ScopedOUT2 I know about the effects of compost tea, I use it.. The copper tape would work but it's expensive. I know ducks would work but I live in the city limits and therefore is illegal where I live. I have tried sluggo with little success. And I do know that diotamacious earth works but might not work in my garden. I do have slug problems pretty bad. Maybe you could take a look at my garden (I have a few vids up) and let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks!

[ScopedOUT2]

/watch?v=D_GohbbmoKs That's one example of someone using the principles without knowing he was using permaculture design.

I can understand the obstacles to permaculture with today's mass-production techniques for harvesting and profits involved, but I urge you to use poly-culture at the very least (if you're not doin so already). In USA we're losing 1,000s of acres of farmland turned to wasteland by irresponsible practices.

[ScopedOUT2]

I don't want to be offensive, but I'm just wondering how much of a crop can be destroyed by insects? Is it really so devastating to destroy an entire crop or just a portion?

Next, why not introduce other insects or animals that eat these deadly pests? Why not introduce plants that help protect other plants???

Permaculture anyone?

[webcajun]

@ScopedOUT2 ... give permaculture a try and let us know how well it works. Yes, insects can destroy entire crops and it doesn't take them long..... Donald

[ScopedOUT2]

@webcajun I kinda got the feeling you were being sarcastic and skeptic of permaculture with your statement?

Just seriously trying to know, not trying to get offensive.

[webcajun]

@ScopedOUT2 ... not being sarcastic at all. Would like to hear from someone who's tried it and how well they did. I do use some organic methods but I refuse to allow months of hard work and expense to be destroyed by insects. When it comes to insecticides and commercial fertilizer is all about using "common sense"...... Donald

[ELHIEGER1]

Do you just mix the sevin dust with water?

[webcajun]

@ELHIEGER1 ... the Sevin Dust is applied as a dust, no water. Liquid Sevin is mixed with water....... Donald

[polylingue]

This is what I would do to that black pest. I would give it a couple of dog biscuits and presto-problem solved. I can assure you, it will have an effect on it.

[joedecook]

Like you, Sevin my general choice, but I have been using BT for about 5 years. Great for killing those caterpillars, including cut worms, corn and tomato worms, etc. I like it, mostly, because it doesn't bother the bees. I don't see enough of them anymore.

[webcajun]

Lots of bee keepers in my area so got plenty. They really come around if I have broccoli that bolts. BT is an option I'll be looking into......... Donald

[dhufish76]

Here in Australia we have a natural product for the Caterpillar (cabbage moth) (the white butterfly) in fact almost all larvae of many insects. it is called Dipel. It is a natural bacteria Bacillus Thuringiensis, it will not kill them straight away but after they have ingested a little of the sprayed leaf there gut cannot handle the bacteria and they fall off and die. It is very effective and is safe for bees, ladybirds, birds, fish, mammals and pets.

[webcajun]

I may give BT a try next year. Thanks ...... Donald

[ScopedOUT2]

@webcajun NO DON"T!!!! I'm dead serious man. BT is really bad, once it gets in the food chain it causes all kinds of problems.

[gscarecrow]

Caterpillars ate all of my brassicas this year. I found out I could shake them off but it was a little to late for that brain wave as usual with me. What I am thinking for next year is; catch them on a round sheet with a slit cut to the centre, placed around he stem. Then feed them to my chickens.

[webcajun]

Sounds like a plan if you can get them to all fall off....... Donald

[Like2MilkGoats]

Have you heard of John Jeavons or Biointensive growing? Thats what Im doing. The plants create a living mulch and miniclimate. I cant wait till next summer!!!!!

[webcajun]

Hope it works out for you....... Donald

[MsDKGirl]

What were the green worms called on your broccoli plants? They ate all my broccoli plants in my first ever attempt to garden this year. I won't give up and have began planning my garden for next season! Thanks for all your wonderful videos Donald!. I plan on watching them all and joining your forum!

[geronimocreekranch]

Don't quote me on this but I think they are what some call "Cabbage Worms" ... at least around here. They are worst this year than I've ever seen. Usually takes me two sprayings to get them under control. Unless you live up north, it's not too late to replant. I'll be planting throughout most of the winter......... Donald

[webcajun]

You're welcome........ Donald

[mukwah1111]

I agree with WoundedEgo - Sevin is a poison that you are putting on your food & it kills good insects like the bees There are compatible plants like mint & marigolds that will discourage many insects from coming into your garden Check out ladybugs & beneficial nematodes - it doesnt take a ton of them to cover your garden - they kill BAD bugs & will multiply themselves. Not a ton of money or work to put them into place. They are merely released at dusk into your garden - they do the rest

[webcajun]

Last year I had a bee keeper with a yard of bees (45 hives) approx 100 yards from my garden and it wasn't a problem. If you don't use chemicals when the plants are in bloom the bees will be OK....... Donald

[27simber]

hi  donald how are you can you help me with one plm. i have earwigs in my garden what can i do i have got some pyrethrum but no good do you get them in your garden what can i do!!

[webcajun]

They haven't been much of a problem for me so I really can't help. Next trip to the garden center check out some labels, sure they have something that will take care of em......... Donald

[SevereIDAHO]

sure looks wet out there Donald. Hope you get some good sun soon. As you last heard I had a freeze out here in Idaho. Well By Wednesday night I should have snow and by Thursday a hard freeze. Not excited at all. Wished I was still gardening to be honest. Well, you do sound like you have a cold. Hope you feel better soon and cant wait for another video. Hopefully a field trip. =)

[webcajun]

We usually don't get a hard freeze until January or February but you never know. I did have a bad cold but feeling better now. Thanks........ Donald

[wingsout64]

You sound a bit sick. If you are, I hope you feel better soon.

[webcajun]

I wasn't feeling very well but I am better now. Thanks........ Donald

[ironhead41]

1 cup sulfur/ 5 gallons water. bugs hate it, plants love it. and its cheap.

[robmelnoahzane]

Does this work ok in a 2.5 gallon sprayer, or do you apply some other way? Would you say it kills about the same types of pests as Sevin?

Rob

[ironhead41]

yes. spray it.

[webcajun]

May have to give that a try. Thanks........ Donald

[WoundedEgo]

That SEVIN dust powder is picked up by bees and they bring it back to the hive and it is destroyed. Bees forage for up to two miles. Please don't use SEVIN dust. Thanks.

As to the spray, it is poison. You are putting poison on your food.

Planting mint, marigolds, fennel and such discourages pests.

[webcajun]

My hats off to anyone who can grow a large garden and be 100% organic......... Donald

[DEFYnwo]

Was the recipe in your video "Home Made Bug Spray" not effective? I was going to try it next year & would prefer to use it instead of chemicals. How do both methods compare?

Thanks!

[webcajun]

The homemade spray has been modified. Ivoy soap, hot pepper and garlic. Works with some insects but not all. I still have to use chemical when they get really bad and start causing damage like in the vid.......... Donald

[sadia102]

Cheeky bugs like your plants Doug. MMmmm is that a compliment ??? Black MaterHead....hahahaha too funny. We have had rain rain rain too. We are in Spring now but the rain has put off the sowing. Thanks for the advise about the spray. I am hoping for a good first Spring planting. Great music.

[webcajun]

Spring for you is fall for us. In Louisiana we'll be planting something all winter, hopefully. LOL ........ Donald

[mukwah1111]

hahahha Black Mater-head !!! Too funny ! Have you considered trying Beneficial Nematodes to control unwanted pests? Something worth looking into - try Organic Texas vids for the experts infor. How's that compost pit coming along? Would love to see it again. I know I know why? Just do ! haha

[webcajun]

If I can remember I'll try to include the compost pile in one of the October vids. To cover 2 acres, that would be a lot of Nematodes.......... Donald

[beutifullady]

Great video. My garden has allready got frost. With all the rain and groundhog problems this year i only harvested 2 tomatoes out of the 6 plants i planted.

[webcajun]

Sorry to hear that lady. I don't know how you grow such a nice garden in so little time. Don't think if I could do it........ Donald

[nikki4612]

Good video. I know what you mean about the rain. I seems like it's never going to dry out here in Ponchatoula. I want to put in another bed but it's been too wet. I went out yesterday and found some bugs eating up my Meyer lemon tree. They are awful looking things like a brown and white catepillar only uglier. I've never had them before and they are picking it clean of leaves. Any ideas? Thanks Nikki

[webcajun]

Get with your county agent. They can identify the catepillar and tell you exactly what to use......... Donald

[Hamish121212]

How about using garlic chilli spray - seems to work good - its organic and free if you make it yourself.

[webcajun]

I sometimes use a mixture of Ivoy Soap, Hot Peppers and Garlic powder.  Works with some bugs but not all.......... Donald

[justmom66]

I use seven as well. If it works then use it that is my theory lol.

[webcajun]

Insects can get so bad at times they can wipe out a crop in a little while. I don't think I could be 100% organic. My hats off to those who can........ Donald

[M0LONLABE]

why not let the guinea fowl or chickens run thru?

[beutifullady]

They can be worse than bugs on the vegetables.

[kokonutbaby1]

Informative video, Donald..I agree w/ya..Ive been trying to stay organic but when u dont hardly get anything for all your hard work something has to be done...sorry u put all that 7 down then it rained on ya..do u have to redo the 7 when it stops raining now? I have never used liquid 7..what happens if its an infestation during harvest time? Like if u are harvesting ev week or something? And how harmful to humans if u eat leaves w/that stuff?

[webcajun]

If you get a rain you do have to spray again. I try not to use the chemicals when harvesting but sometimes you have to. It washes off pretty easy so I don't believe it's too much of a problem but don't take my word for it........ Donald

[THEGARDENERGUY]

Hey Don, great video. Have you ever tried "Pyrethrum" if I have an infestation I use it. It's a natural insecticide made from crushed flowers. It's toxic to insects, but it breaks down fast and can be used up until the same day as harvest. Give it a try!

Tim

[webcajun]

Hey Tim ... If I can find some around here I'll have to give it a try. Thanks ........ Donald

[gypsydragongal]

Two days ago I went into the backyard to find those green worms on my green pepper & tomato plants. I found each & picked them off yesterday & today I sprayed. I have mine in hanging baskets so they must have crawled up the post & into the basket. In two days they had a good snack already. I sprayed the ground around the post where I think their coming from. My spray is usable up until harvest. Thanks for posting

[webcajun]

It doesn't take long for insects to do a lot of damage. Sprayed some of the homemade bug spray today........ Donald

[1DRock37167]

But she is a sweet 'mater head!

Its been raining for weeks here, damnedest thing Ive ever seen. We never get this much rain in September!

[webcajun]

We had sunshine the last two days.  First in awhile......... Donald

[evcrawfish]

dems not pests, dems chicken food....LOL

great post sir

[webcajun]

No chickens to put out there. LOL ....... Donald

[UniqueExposures]

lol@mater head. I have a garden pest named Nfusion a white dog that loves to dig up my plants lol. But don't need seven dust for her just a beggin strip lol. Great vid thanks for sharing.

[webcajun]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks ........ Donald

[MadBadVoodo]

Five Stars!!

[webcajun]

Thanks ........ Donald

[wgseagal]

i didnt listen too the whole video before i commented ya thats it seven dust i use it works great

[webcajun]

So far it's worked real well....... Donald

[wgseagal]

put that dust on them i forget the name of it

[Pimporly]

Donald pest can be a real deal here in Miami, lol! Your not alone! Great video!!!

~ Orly

[webcajun]

We have been getting rain almost daily for over two weeks now. Makes it hard to control both the bugs and grass / weeds......... Donald

[eightmeg2003]

Was wonderin' if ya break out the shotgun for the larger pests.

[webcajun]

All I can say is the crows hadn't come back in awhile. LOL ....... Donald

[eightmeg2003]

Yeah I figured pardnah

[Praxxus55712]

I've only had potato beetles once. I picked em off & fed em to the chickens(way smaller garden than yours though). Same goes for cabbage worms. I must be blessed because I seem to have a balance of beneficial insects & birds that counterbalance the pests. Birds are always flying out of the woods into my garden and rumaging through my plants for bugs. Even the aphids don't bother the plants. I have nooooo idea what's keeping the aphids in check.

Btw, sorry about your bug attacks. Nuke em! :)

[webcajun]

I'm picking purple hull peas now and the stink bugs want them as bad as I do. The homemade bug spray (Ivory, peppers and garlic) seems to work on them pretty well. If things get any worst I'll hire a crop duster. LOL ........ Donald

[ELHIEGER1]

Maybe you can rig up an overhead sprayer on your golf cart. ;->

[webcajun]

I'll keep that in mind....... Donald

[3CoolKats]

Personally I don't use pesticides. I pick the bugs off. But it's of course pretty labor intensive. For any garden larger than mine (which your's definately is) it's pretty impractical to pick them off. Sevin seems to be what most gardeners around here use too. I haven't planted potatoes in a few years but I get those same potato bugs as you showed here when I do plant them. They're certainly a nuisance but NOTHING around here is as big a problem as Mexican Bean Beetles are.

[webcajun]

The potato beetle was somewhat of a problem this year. Each outbreak I have to spray at least twice to get them under control.......... Donald

[crewlla]

so cute. I love your dogs. lucy is beautiful

[webcajun]

Both Molly and Lucy are picking and eating tomatoes......... Donald

[niffer58]

wow plants being eaten quickly.. didn't realize they can eat it so quickly. I am hoping my garden will go well next year. hoping to not use much chemicals. but i am not going to rule it out if i have too.

[webcajun]

I'm the same way, I use chemical only when I have to. You can expect some damage but when it starts getting this bad it's time to do something........ Donald

[ShushLorraine]

I didn't think potato beetles would attack anything more than potato plants. I remember my daddy paid us kids a penny for each potato beetle we picked off the potato plants. 'Way back in '64ish.

[webcajun]

They damaged my potato, tomato and eggplants this year. Sevin works but takes a couple of days. Guess they have to eat it before it works........ Donald