- 1. Floating Row Covers<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Insecticidal Soap<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Neem Oil Spray<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Beneficial Nematodes<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Hand-Pick Those Bugs<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Diatomaceous earth (DE)<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Floating Row Covers<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"Floating](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/14208719919_69d7fe449a_k-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Scot Nelson<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC0 1.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Floating row covers provide excellent bug control for a vegetable garden. They can be used to control various species of insects, including: <\/p>
- Aphids
<\/li> - Tomato hornworms
<\/li> - Cabbage moths and cabbage worms
<\/li> - Potato beetles
<\/li> - Squash bugs
<\/li> - Cucumber beetles
<\/li> - Other mobile pests <\/li> <\/ul>
Even better, they provide some protection from deer<\/a>, birds, rabbits, and squirrels, as well as wind and sun.<\/p>
When to use them<\/strong>: Floating row covers<\/a> can protect your plants temporarily when pests are most active and can do the most damage. If your plants don\u2019t require insect pollination<\/a>, floating row covers can be used for the entire lifespan of the crop. For best results, install the row covers when you put your plants in the ground and leave them in your garden as long as possible.<\/p>
What kind of cover to buy:<\/strong> This translucent polyester fabric comes in rolls 4 to 8 feet wide and can be purchased by the roll or the yard. Get the lightweight version for summer use. It will act as a repellent without overheating the plants.<\/p>
The heavyweight version is great to use as a season extender in early spring and late fall because it will help warm the soil and provide some protection from light frosts. The material is porous to let in water, and it will let up to 80% of natural light into your garden, too.<\/p>
How to install floating row covers:<\/strong> Simply drape the material over your crops, or drape it over hoops or wires to protect tender or tall plants. It even can be wrapped around tomato cages to protect your crop from tomato hornworms or critters in search of a snack. <\/p>
But be aware that the edges must be secured to keep pests from reaching your plants. Use boards, rocks, or landscaping staples to hold down the fabric.<\/p>
2. Insecticidal Soap<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"whitefly\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ash_whitefly_-_Siphoninus_phillyreae_29894610302.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Oregon State University<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Insecticidal soap can be a crop saver when your garden has a sudden infestation of soft-bodied insects, including: <\/p>
- Aphids<\/a>
<\/li>- Whiteflies
<\/li>- Spider mites<\/a> <\/li> <\/ul>
Insecticidal soap works by using fatty acids to break down the insect\u2019s protective cuticles so that it becomes dehydrated and dies.<\/p>
Where to find insecticidal soap:<\/strong> Most home improvement stores and garden centers carry the product in various brands. They\u2019re usually sold as a concentrate that you must dilute in a spray bottle. Once the insecticidal soap is diluted, it will be effective only for a few days, so you should mix just one application of soapy water at a time.<\/p>
How to use:<\/strong> When applying insecticidal soap, completely wet the leaves on both sides. The soap can cause leaf burn, so be sure to test carefully before applying it to an entire crop.<\/p>
The soap must come in direct contact with the insect to do its job, so there is no residual effect with this method. You\u2019ll need to treat your plants every five to seven days, as more insects hatch.<\/p>
3. Neem Oil Spray<\/strong><\/h2>
Neem oil, which is found in the seeds of the neem tree, can be used to manage many pests, including:<\/p>
- Squash bugs
<\/li> - Potato beetles
<\/li> - Bean beetles
<\/li> - Other leaf-eating beetles <\/li> <\/ul>
- Whiteflies
- Aphids<\/a>
- 2. Insecticidal Soap<\/a><\/li>