Bugs In The Garden

[Publius]

Well, I knew it would happen sooner or later and I have two diffrent bugs attacking my garden. So I'm applying some Thuricide mixed 3 Tsp per gallon. For any not in the know, Thuricide is "Bacillus Truringensis" or better known as (BT)

[Deemy]

Do you know what kind you have? Do you have or can borrow a few chickens for a few days?

[gawarriorqueen]

Everything in my garden is growing and producing like crazy except for my collards. Something is feasting on them and sevin dust is of no help. Anyone have a suggestion?

[summerthyme]

If by "bugs" you mean anything other than caterpillars of some sort, thuricide won't work at all. It's a virus which only attacks the larval forms of lepidoptera species- butterflies and moths.

However, it's GREAT for those. A couple applications and we don't have to worry about finding a green worm- or worse, HALF a green worm- in our broccoli!

Summerthyme

[Publius]

So far it's worked for me on almost everything that eats my plants. Now squash bugs the only thing I find that works is spraying water mixed with liquid dish soap and it kills then within seconds of contact.

[bbkaren]

GA, on your collards, if you give them a shake, do little white things fly out? I've had success spraying those (whiteflies) with diluted dish soap, as well as diluted neem oil if you have it.

My collards lived through the winter so they've already gone to flower and are huge, gnarly "vines" that are crawling out of their raised beds. Thankfully, some seed is growing and I also have normal plants to take over when I finally pull these behemoths. I'm happy to see contented honeybees enjoying the yellow blossoms so I'm not ditching them just yet.

[gawarriorqueen]

Thanks, I'll try your suggestions!

[summerthyme]

Publius... I sure don't want to sound argumentative here, but Bt is simply NOT effective against the adult forms of *any* insects that I know of, and the most common strain only works against the larvae of the lepidoptera genus.

http://filebox.vt.edu/cals/cses/chagedor/btprimer.html

So, if you have any other types of insects eating your plants... I'm wondering what in hell they're adding to a commercial product and calling it plain Bt?!!

The only reason I'm posting this- it's your garden, after all, and if it's working for you, it's certainly none of my business!!- is that I'd hate to see someone with a huge cucumber beetle problem, or flea beetles, or something else wiping out their plants thinking "gee, I can just use that Bt stuff and be all set"...

Summerthyme

[naturallysweet]

I make my own homemade solution with garlic, tobacco, and dishwashing soap. It has to be applied after every rain, but it seems to work.