Remember to use sprays as a last resort.
While I loved the Beatles growing up, I don't like this Fab Four in my veggie garden.
Asparagus, potato, bean, and cucumber beetles are out. Here are some organic controls.
For all beetles, handpicking adults in the morning while they’re sluggish reduces the population.
If you can’t do it, pay the neighborhood kids. It’s a great summer job!
Larval forms of beetles are easier to control. The spotted, red asparagus beetle larva is a fat, gray worm that munches on asparagus ferns. They can quickly defoliate your plant and reduce production.
Knock the larvae off the ferns by shaking them periodically. They won't climb back up. Also, spray spinosad in the evening when bees are less active.
Crush the clusters of orange, potato beetle eggs on the underside of leaves and spray Bt San Diego on the red, soft-bodied larvae. Don’t worry about killing them all. Potatoes can lose up to a third of their leaves and still produce.
In the same away, crush yellow clusters of Mexican bean beetle eggs on the underside of bean leaves.
Don't confuse the adult bean beetle with a ladybug. Check online for photos of each.
Cover the beans with a floating row cover to prevent the adult from laying eggs.
Cucumber beetles are tough to control. Not only do they feed on the leaves and flowers, they spread bacterial wilt disease.
Hang yellow sticky traps above young plants to catch the adults. They’re attracted to the color. Spray kaolin clay or diatomaceous earth to kill the adults.
Remember to use sprays always as a last resort, and clean up plants and weeds in fall to reduce the pest numbers.
Next week on the Connecticut Garden Journal, I'll be talking about echinacea. Until then, I'll be seeing you in the garden.
