Bugs and Pests
Bad Bug / Pest | What it Does | How to Control | Companion Plants | Other Notes |
Aphid | Sucks life out of leaves–discoloration, leaf curl | Ladybugs! | Mint | If out of control, mix and apply with spray bottle or pump sprayer:ΒΌ cup Listerine2 tsp dishwashing liquid
1 gallon water |
Nematodes | table sugar–sprinkle around base of affected plants | Marigolds | ||
Cabbage Worms | Devour leaves | Dipel Dust,Captain Jack’sThuricide | MintRosemarySage
Thyme |
|
Colorado Potato Beetle | Eat potatoes | MarigoldsPick & squish | ||
Tomato Horned Worm | Eat tomatoes | Pick & squish | Pot Marigold | |
Rabbits | Eat everything | FenceGarlic PlantsBlood Meal
Dried Urine |
||
Fire Ant | Afflict and Torment Man | Nature’s Guide Fire Ant Killer w/ 2% Pyrethrum | ||
Bean Beetles | Marigolds plus:RosemarySummer Savory | |||
Squash Bug | Pick & squish | |||
Squash Borer | Plant Icicle radish in circle around squash plant | |||
Rat | ShakeAway | |||
Sow Bug | Sluggo Plus | |||
Good Bug | What it Does | How to Control | Other Notes | |
Ladybug* | Eats aphids | If they hatch on your property they won’t leave | *Except green ones; they’re not LadybugsTo introduce: water a shrub, then release them under it in the evening | |
Green Lace Wing | Eats aphids and white flies | Grow Varigated Privet to attract these | ||
Garden Spider | ||||
Iffy Bugs | ||||
Praying Mantis | Eats all small bugs, including beneficial ones | |||
Wheel Bug | Kills Squash Bugs, but also bees and other beneficials. Have a painful bite to humans | |||
Box Elder Bug | orange/black flat beetle – harmless |