Praying mantises are an effective means of organic bug control.
Organic bug killer for vegetables can take several forms, the most common of which are spray solutions composed of a variety of plants steeped in water to form a tea that is either toxic to the pests or is a natural repellent that causes them to stay away from sprayed plants. Many commercially available natural pesticides contain these same ingredients. Other solutions are sowing plants near vegetables that are repellent to bugs, while physically picking pests off vegetable plants is another alternative. Does this Spark an idea?
Larger Bugs
To rid vegetables of larger bugs that can be easily seen, picking the bugs off the plants and killing them is the most natural method because no other substances are put on the plants. Gardening gloves should be worn when picking bugs off plants. Once the bugs have been removed, they should be dropped in a jar of soapy water where they will quickly drown. This method is effective for pests such as hornworms, fruitworms and stinkbugs.
Dusting Plants
Using diatomaceous earth is one of the oldest forms of organic pest control. This substance, which is composed of the fossilized remains of single-celled organisms called diatoms, is glass-like, which cuts through insect's cuticles. Bugs eventually die of dehydration. Because it targets all insects and not just pests, it should be used sparingly when sprinkled on the ground near vegetable plants.
Other natural substances that can be dusted on or near vegetable plants to act as barriers are bone meal, powdered charcoal, talcum powder and chalk. Substances that contain the compound capsaicin are also effective. These include herbs such as cayenne, chili, red and black peppers, paprika and dill.
Sprays
Some sprays are all-purpose pest regulators, while others target specific bugs. Pepper and lime sprays will repel all types of bugs. Garlic spray targets aphids, cabbage loopers, June bugs, leafhoppers, mites and squash bugs; yarrow tea is effective on soft-bodied insects. Marigold spray works on leaf-eating and leaf-cutting insects. Horseradish spray targets aphids, soft-bodied bugs, blister beetles and Colorado beetles. Depending on the substance used, sprays are made by steeping the substance in hot water or crushing an ingredient and adding it to water. Oils are often used in the spray to help the spray stick to leaves. Sprays with dishwashing liquid are another effective means of insect control.
Other Remedies
Commercial traps that contain a substance attractive to pests are another alternative. Homemade traps such as containers with soapy water or sugar water can be set out near vegetable plants. Bugs that fall into the water end up drowning. Natural predators such as praying mantises and spiders may be introduced into a vegetable garden to control the bug population by survival of the fittest.
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