frequently asked questions

Insects

Problem Insects

How can I control potato bugs?

Are potato bugs defoliating your potato plants? Potato bugs can quickly become resistant to many insecticides. Instead of using chemicals try:

  • Inspecting plants regularly. Shake any adult leaf beetles found on plants onto a drop cloth and transfer these to a container of soapy water.
  • Attract natural predators such as spined soldier bugs, lady beetles, parasitic wasps, and tachinid flies.
  • Apply parasitic nematodes to help control the larvae. Follow instructions carefully for storage and application procedures.

For more alternatives to chemicals, click here.

I have lots of Asian ladybugs in my house. How can I get rid of them?

This is a fairly recent phenomenon and is a situation where drastic measures should not be taken because of the many benefits ladybugs bring. If you want to remove them from your house, simply sweep or vacuum them up and release them outside near shelter.

Do you know of any traps I can use for slugs?

You can make a simple trap for slugs simply by laying a board along the edge of your garden with one corner propped up a bit. The slugs will crawl under the board during the day to find shade. You can then pick up the board and dispose of the slugs.

Another trick is to place hollowed-out orange or grapefruit rinds upside down in the garden for the evening. In the morning, you can pick them up to dispose of slugs and all.

A homemade trap can be made by pouring some beer in a shallow dish (empty tuna fish tins work well). In a shaded spot, place the dish in the soil so the rim is just a bit above ground level. Every few days empty out the trap and refill.

To protect your plants from slugs, sprinkle ground-up eggshells in a ring around the plants. Slugs, with their soft bellies, don’t like crawling over this rough surface. You can also try a ring of powdered ginger, which they apparently dislike. Don’t forget to reapply after it rains.

Laying down mulch when plants are first planted can attract slugs. To avoid this, only lay mulch down when plants are well established or when temperatures are over 21ْC.

How can I get rid of aphids on my plants?

  • Spray the affected plants with water. Make sure not to damage the flowers —only a light spray is required.

  • Place banana peels around the base of your plants.

  • Plant garlic next to your targeted plants.

  • Attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, to the area around the infested plants by planting carrots, yarrow, asters, or dill.

  • Use a soap spray that works on aphids, mites, whiteflies, and other soft-bodied insects. Mix 2 tbsp of dishwashing liquid with 4 litres of warm water and spray directly on the insects.

  • Using garlic spray on the plants to repel pests. Mix ½ cup of finely chopped garlic cloves with 2 cups of water. Mix this well and let it sit for one hour before spraying.

How can I get rid of cutworms?

Cutworms are the larvae of brownish-grey cutworm moths. The best way to control them is by using cutworm collars. To make the collars, cut strips of lightweight cardboard about 20.5 cm by 6.5 cm. Overlap the ends to make a tube and fasten with tape. Slip a collar around each plant and press it into the soil around the stem so that half of it is below the soil. You can also use tin cans with both ends removed as collars. As with the cardboard collars, you should sink the cans a few inches into the soil.

Cutworm larvae are a favourite food of some birds, such as robins and blackbirds. To allow birds a chance to pick them out, cultivate your soil a few times before planting new plants.

How can I get rid of or at least control a bad infestation of earwigs?

In general, bugs can fall into one of three categories: good bugs, bad bugs, or so-so bugs. Earwigs happen to be one of the so-so bugs. While they may have some negative characteristics, such as occasionally feeding on cultivated plants, they can also be one of the good bugs. Earwigs tend to eat mostly decaying organic matter and garden insect pests, so be sure the earwigs are actually causing a problem before you set out to eliminate them. If they’re eating garden plants, the best way to control them is with traps.

  • Hang a flowerpot upside down on a stake in the garden. Place a bit of dry moss, moistened straw, hay, or newspaper in the pot. The earwigs will climb up at the end of the evening to rest. Empty the trap each morning and dump the earwigs into soapy water.

  • Cut a piece off an old garden hose and place it in the garden. The earwigs will hide in the hose. You will need to empty it each morning.

  • Pour some beer into a shallow dish (empty tuna fish tins work well). In a shady spot, place the dish in the soil so the rim is just above ground level. Every few days, empty out the trap and refill. Use this method only when necessary as it also drowns beneficial creatures.

  • You can also use fruit juice, corn syrup, or fish oil in your trap. Dark beer is apparently better than light and should be mixed 1:1 with water, with a bit of sugar added.

  • You can also place these mixtures in a shallow dish that’s covered with a lid. There should be enough room between the lid and the dish for the insects to crawl in and drown.

How can I get rid of anthills?

If you are having a problem with anthills, check out Environment Canada’s Web site for a few ideas.

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