Natural Solutions to Things That Bug You (85 page)

Read Natural Solutions to Things That Bug You Online

Authors: Myles Bader

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Root-knot nematodes will not go near a garden or plants in an area where there are French marigolds
Tagetes patula
. If you plant a whole area with the marigolds foe a season and then plow them under you will never have these destructive nematodes. The marigolds actually release a toxin that is very poisonous to the nematodes.

PICKLEWORM AKA MELONWORM

General Information:

The moths lay their eggs on the underneath sides of leaves on cucumbers, melons, pumpkins and squash. Squash is their number one favorite if it is available and will feed on the flowers and leaf buds. The caterpillars will feed on vegetation but a large number tend to find fruit and bore holes in them. The pickleworm is usually only found east of the Rockies and may also be found in New York State. The south is where the worst infestations are found, mainly in Florida and Texas.

SMELL THEM OUT

If you plant strong smelling herbs within your garden it will keep these pests out. They do not like onion and garlic plants.

WIREWORMS (CLICK BEETLES)

Identification:

The adults are called
“click beetles,”
which is the name they were given since when they right themselves after being turned over they hit the ground and it sounds like a “click.” The larvae are very thin worms that have a leathery skin and three pairs of legs close to their head. They are yellow to dark red in color and can grow to 1½-inches long. They lay their eggs in the soil and will live for 3-4 years.

General Information:

The beetle got the name click beetle since it makes a clicking sound when it rights itself after being placed on its back. It loves to consume corn, peas, potato tubers, sweet potatoes, carrots and rutabaga. It also likes to munch on the roots of cabbage, onions, watermelon, cucumber and tomatoes.

SKEWER THEM

To trap wireworms you will need some wooden skewers, carrots and apples. Cut the apples and carrots into small pieces and place the skewer through a piece. Bury the food leaving the skewer where you can see it. The wireworms will eat the fruit or vegetable since it an easier meal and then you can remove the skewer and destroy them with extreme prejudice. They also love potatoes and they can be used to trap them as well by just placing pieces of potatoes into the soil and digging them up in a few days.

WORMS WILL KILL WORMS

If you apply Nc nematodes about two months before you plant, it should eliminate the problem. This is one of the best methods of control.

THEY DON’T LIKE BUCKWHEAT

Wireworms do not like to be around buckwheat or white mustard. If you plant these around the plants that they do like they will stay far away. Natural plants used as repellants work very well with a number of insects.

CHAPTER 17

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

FRUITS & VEGETABLES

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

FRUITS & VEGETABLES

GET THE LEAD OUT

If your garden is near a road and you are worried about auto emissions getting on your plants, just spray them with a solution of 2½ teaspoons of white vinegar in 1-gallon of tap water.