Body:
Yes, these are the dudes eating my plants! So, to thank them for all their work I had a party the other night for them. Much like some people had in college. First, I started off with the cheapest beer I could find (Keystone Light). Not something I would drink. Then I poured the beer into shallow containers around the plants I really would like to see produce some food. The next day I found dozens of the dudes that had too much to drink passed out (dead) in the beer. I would say pretty safe, cheap, and effective way to reduce pest populations. An idea from my brother that works very well. Have a beer party in your garden tonight!
Comments
May 1st, 2008
Great information, I will
Great information, I will have to try this out since my peas are being chomped on by earwigs.
April 22nd, 2008
BUGS workshop suggestions
The beer in the tuna can was the best solution for the slugs per the BUGS adult workshop a couple of weeks ago. They also suggested that for earwigs to use a similar shallow container but use soy sauce and a little bit of oil (olive and no need for the first press / cold press extra virgin stuff!). I guess its like kids to a kegger - poor little earwigs say Let's Party! ;-)
Scott
July 13th, 2007
earwigs and slugs - unwelcome guests
Thanks for your party suggestion and also the bath suggestion. Both are time tested ways to get rid of these pests. There's also joining the party by taking your flashlight and catching snails and slugs in transit. This method can also get the gardener out in the evening to enjoy the evening. Here in the northern hemisphere, it's a nice way to enjoy a summer evening under the stars!
July 13th, 2007
Nasty Pests!
At our house we have been dealing with many pests as well. First came the earwigs. After getting rid of their home, (wood piles, mulch, grass clippings, etc.) we would go out after dark and, with a little dish soap and water, end their lives! It worked and like the beer it is non toxic.
Now the squash bugs have showed up! Anyone with suggestions? We have found the only way to get rid of them is to SQUASH them as well as their eggs. Hopefully it works.
It sounds like there are may garden pests this year!
Happy gardening!
July 15th, 2007
Earwigs, slugs and squash bugs.
There is nothing better than chickens to eat the earwigs.
For slugs, I cut all but the bottom inch off of a cottage cheese carton, or whatever, and bury it in the garden with the top of the shallow container level with the soil. Fill it with beer, the slugs crawl in and drown. I used to get rid of hornet and wasp nests until I found out how beneficial they are. They kill a lot of other creatures, like tomatoe worms. I am wondering if they kill the slugs, too. Anyway, we also have a small garter snake, and I know they eat slugs. We never see any slugs, at all.
For squash bugs, turn up the squash leaves and there are little spots of squash bug eggs. Spray the egg clusters with that weak soap solution, too. It kills the eggs. It kills the squash bugs, too, but they are harder to kill once they've hatched and scattered.
Do at least one thing for someone else every day.
Tony Z