Question
Something is eating my garden. HELP! At first I thought it was snails because there were quite a few holes in the leaves of my beans and squash. Now, there are just skeleton leaves left of half my garden. I have treated for snails with PAX and for other insects with Seven. I have looked for squash bugs but to no avail. I have seen a great many ants and earwigs. Oh, and my tomatoes seem fine. Any tips?
Answer(s)
Earwigs can and will eat just about everything in the garden but they are very hard to control with chemical insecticides. To discourage earwigs let the soil dry out in between watering. If you use mulch around your plants this method may not be as effective because the earwigs can hide out in it. Another method to control earwigs is to fold together several sheets of newspapers together and spray them with enough water so they are damp. In the evening place the newspapers out in your garden. In the morning collect the newspapers and discard the earwigs. Below is a link with more information on earwigs.
http://www.usu.edu/ust/index.cfm?article=8717
Ants do not cause significant injury to landscape plants. Some species like sweets, while others like oils and meat products like pet food.
Other Questions In This Topic
- I just recently moved into a home that has these terrible "soda straw" type weeds that I can't get rid of. They pop apart and look like tall drinking straws. I have sprayed them with multiple rounds of poison (extra strength!) and dug them out by hand 2 or three times. They are coming back stronger than ever. What should I do?
- The grass in certain areas of my lawn is not growing well. I've been told it may be due to the fact that they're adjacent to pine trees, and that fallen pine needles have caused locally acidic conditions. It is suggested that I apply Gypsum in these areas. Are the diagnoses and suggestions plausible ?
- Can you tell me how to get rid of the Star of Israel that is in your lawn?
- Two Questions: 1. When do Gooseberries flower? 2. When is the best time to plant tulips?
- I live in riverton and want to plant triple crown blackberries and dwarf northblue blueberries. Do you have any suggestions or help?
- I am considering a weeping willow for my back yard. I have not heard good things about them being planted in Salt Lake. What is your opinion, and would I be better going with a different species or will a willow be fine?
- I have a stand of Gambel Oaks in my yard, I would like to leave the oaks, but fill in about 12 inches deep to level the area out. Will this damage the oaks? Is there any recommended ground cover to place in the area?
- I have a sister that lives in South Jordan. She and her neighbor planted their gardens at the same time with the same type of soil. Her neighbors vegetables are thriving and my sisters are on the verge of death. What should she do and where can she have her soil tested?