Organic Pesticides ExplainedWhen gardening organically, there are several ways to manage pests without the use of chemicals. Occasionally, the need arises for the use of an organic pesticide. Here are explanations of some of the more common options as well as some tips for using them effectively.
Garden Insects: CockroachesAdult cockroaches are medium-sized insects, with a broad, flat shape and long antennae. Often confused with beetles, the cockroach's wings are membranous and they lack the thick, hard forewing of beetles.
Garden Insects: LeafminersThese pale green or black, stubby little maggots tunnel through leaves and cannot be seen with the naked eye, but the visible spaghetti-like patterns on the topsides of leaves are easy to identify.
Garden Insects: LeafhoppersThere are many species of leafhoppers. Some are brown or green in color, while others are green and red with white markings. Look for slender 1/8-inch long wedge-shaped bugs that jump or fly when disturbed.
Garden Insects: Gypsy MothsGypsy Moths are usually only seen around mid-summer. The male moths are a grayish brown color and can fly. The female moths cannot fly, are larger in size and have a whitish color with black markings.
Garden Insects: Harlequin BugsHarlequin Bugs cause plants to wilt, turn brown and die by literally "sucking the juices right out of them."
Garden Insects: Japanese BeetlesControlling Japanese Beetles. Look for metallic blue-green, long-legged beetles with coppery-colored wing covers. Adults lay eggs from June through August. Eggs hatch into fat white, comma-shaped grubs with brownish-orange heads.
Garden Insects: GrasshoppersThere are several hundred species of grasshoppers, but only a handful that cause damage to crops and ornamental plants. Many common garden species are 1-2 inches in length and gray, green or brown in color.
Garden Insects: Armyworms (Beet &...Information about army worms (beet & fall armyworms). Although there are many species of this pest, beet and fall armyworms are the most common species in the backyard garden.
Garden Insects: Apple MaggotsApple maggots are legless, yellow-white in color and about 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch in size. Maggots hatch from eggs laid on the fruits by the parent flies. The mature maggots fall to the ground where they pupate and overwinter and emerge as adult flies the following June.
Garden Insects: AntsA guide to controlling ants in the garden.
