Identification: Blister beetles have elongated, narrow bodies and can be black, brown, striped, or metallic green in color.
The larvae overwinter in the soil and emerge in spring to feed. Adults are active in midsummer. There are typically one or two generations each growing season, depending on your region. Blister beetles are found throughout North America.
Damage: These long-bodied beetles feed on leaves and flowers of garden crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, melons, carrots, cabbage, peas, squash and eggplants. When they’re present in force, they can defoliate plants entirely. But blister beetle larvae are gardener’s helpers, because they dine on the eggs of a different garden pest — grasshoppers.
Control: Options for control/elimination include:
- Mow
grasses before they flower. These flowers attract adult blister beetles.
- Because of the beneficial role that blister beetle larvae play, it’s best to leave small infestations of adult blister beetles alone. If you’re concerned that beetle populations are increasing, don a pair of garden gloves
(when crushed, blister beetles exude a substance that can burn your skin) and handpick the adults. Drop them into a bucket
of soapy water
. Picking is easiest in the morning when the beetles are sluggish.
- In midsummer, cover plants with insect netting
to prevent beetles from feeding.
- Rose Rx 3-in-1
Wards off spider mites, whiteflies, lily beetles and Japanese beetles. Also controls black spot and powdery mildew. It works for all flowers and ornamentals; safe for houseplants and food crops, too.
- Summerweight Garden Fabric
Fabric cover screens out Japanese beetles, potato beetles, cabbage worms, leaf miners, carrot flies and most vine borers. Transmits 85 percent of the light to plants without allowing heat build-up.
- Insect Pop-Up Nets
Protect your crops from insects with this net, designed to fit on a raised bed.
- All Seasons Spray Oil
Unlike heavy “dormant” spray oils that can only be used in early spring, this lightweight oil can be used year-round on vegetables and ornamental plants to control many insect pests, including aphids, mealybugs, red spider mites and scale.
Identification: Young armyworms are pale green; older larvae are brownish with stripes along their bodies. Several species attack a variety of garden crops, including corn, beets, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, onions, and peas. Adults are gray-brown moths that migrate northward in the spring to lay eggs on host plants and in lawns.
Damage: Armyworms feed at night on plant foliage and grass blades; they hide under foliage and debris during the day. Severe feeding can result in dead areas of lawn and ragged-looking or defoliated crops.
Control: There are several options to control and/or eliminate armyworms:
- Encourage native beneficial insects such as parasitic wasps that prey on caterpillars.
- Weed out grassy weeds as well as pigweed, plantain, and lamb’s quarters, which are host plants for the beet armyworm.
- Rose Rx 3-in-1 Wards off spider mites, whiteflies, lily beetles and Japanese beetles. Also controls black spot and powdery mildew. It works for all flowers and ornamentals; safe for houseplants and food crops, too.
- Caterpillar Control
Eliminates cabbage loopers on broccoli, tomato hornworms and even the larvae of tent caterpillars and gypsy moths in fruit and ornamental trees. Active ingredient: Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki
- Grub Guard
Contains beneficial nematodes, naturally occurring microorganisms that live in the soil. They feed on Japanese beetle grubs, Colorado potato beetle grubs, cutworms, root weevils, flea larvae and other soil-dwelling insects. Won’t harm earthworms or most beneficial insects, safe around pets.
- Spinosad Spray
A soil-dwelling bacterium that controls dozens of insect pests: bagworms, borers, beetles, spider mites, tent caterpillars, loopers, and more.
- Slug Guard
These beneficial nematodes are tiny, soil-dwelling predators that target slugs, killing them within 48 hours. One application is effective all summer. Unlike chemical controls, they won’t harm earthworms or most beneficial insects, and they are safe to use around children and pets.
