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organic ways to beat garden pests?

welshgirlwelshgirl
in Eco-Friendly Family

We've been using vaseline around our pots (no grass in back yard, just concrete, so we're growing in pots), and while that's worked for a month or so,  today I found a snail on our zuchini plant. And the cucumber has some other sort of little brown aphid like bug on it. (We've also tried spraying with soapy water for that one.)

Any other suggestions?

Mum to W (4) and M (nearly 2)
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Re: organic ways to beat garden pests?

  • treesapplaudtreesapplaud
    Snails don't like sharp things or caffeine. You could scatter egg shells and coffee grounds around your plants. The coffee grounds double as organic fertilizer, giving nitrogen.
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  • welshgirlwelshgirl
    Ooh, I love the coffee idea - thanks, we'll try this tomorrow!
    Mum to W (4) and M (nearly 2)
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  • AmandaHearnAmandaHearn member
    I know that you can use saucers of beer for slugs.  I wonder if it works for snails.... hmmmm...
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  • AmandaHearnAmandaHearn member
    Oh and my grandmother uses Diatomaceous Earth.... You may have to call around to find it.  I am told that nurseries often carry it.
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  • massdreamsmassdreams member
    We've had aphid problems in our garden. DH has been using a combination of water, tabasco sauce, garlic and soap that he sprays on the plants and it seems to work on them. He found the suggestion somewhere online.
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  • jennterrelljennterrell

    they are dorky, but the Jerry Baker books have excellent 'recipes' for bug sprays/treatments that are made from household ingredients like castile soap, baby shampoo, tabasco, garlic, and even ground up bugs (ICK!).

    the key with this stuff is to apply regularly, and after any heavy rains :( As far as slugs, snails and beetles, the thing that makes the most difference I find is hand removing them. Get the 'masonry' gloves that are rubber with mesh backs, they are thin enough to feel what you are grasping, but no ick factor when you squish one of the suckers.

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  • karelaorangekarelaorange member
    This year I planted garlic among our garden and it seems to have cut down on the pests. 
    Growing Up Minnesota

    Blog: Baby Mama's Drama
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