Controlling Pests Organically

Controlling Pests Organically

Common pests in the Pacific Northwest such as slugs and aphids can be a big nuisance in the garden – feasting on and damaging your precious produce.  You’ll want to control them organically because you don’t want toxic slug bait or pesticide in your food.  Following are some tips for controlling these pests, along with some resources for further information. Aphids:  Aphids are very small insects that feed on plants by sucking their juices.  They love leafy greens such as cabbage, kale, the inside of broccoli heads, and outer leaves of Brussels sprouts.  They may initially be hard to spot because they often have colors that blend in with the plant they are feeding, and are also often found on the underside of the foliage.  When aphids infest a leaf or stem of a plant, it often curls and quits growing. These guys did a number on my beautiful kale plants last year so I’m working to stay ahead of them and outsmart them this year!

Controlling Aphids:

• Prune and dispose of infested leaves

• Spray leaves with a strong stream of water to dislodge them – many will not be strong enough to crawl back onto the plant.  You’ll need to repeat this every day or two until under control.

• Encourage and protect natural enemies of aphids such as ladybugs and lacewings.  You can also purchase ladybugs at local garden centers.  Know that most of them will disperse within a few days and you will likely need to reintroduce more.

• If the above methods fail, you can use a solution of 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap per gallon of water and spray the aphids. Neem oil may also be used as directed on packaging, usually diluted in water at only 1-2% oil.  These products work by smothering the aphids.  Both soap and oil only kill the aphids that are sprayed, so they should be applied thoroughly and reapplication every few days is needed.  Be sure to spray the under-side of leaves where aphids often hide!  These products should not be used on plants that are stressed by drought, or when temperatures are 90 degrees or higher.  Some plants may be sensitive so you may also want to test in a small area first.