I'm not enjoying this!

[swd12422]

I purposely started small so I could manage my garden, grow my food, and be happy. But the battle of the bugs is getting to me! Over the winter, DS and I hunted cabbage worms on the broccoli and cauliflower. No harm done. But beyond that, I have spent hours and hours online trying to figure out if the rest of the infestations we're having are beneficials or not. Yesterday, I went out to check the plants and my baby cucumber plant, still in its pot, had three different kinds of bugs on it! One was a stink bug. That didn't take long to ID. Another was a long, thin red-bodied winged thing. I had no idea what it was, so i brushed it off with the stink bug. This morning the plant is infested with tiny yellow winged gnats/fleas/something. They spread to my tomatoes, which are just starting to flower, and I am angry. Do not mess with my tomatoes!

Anyone have a good resource for identifying bugs? (Or know what these yellow things are and how to keep them away?) I'm all over the place, trying to find a good site, but when I have no idea at all what to search for to begin with, it's nearly impossible to narrow down.

[Owen'nZoe]

Are the bugs actually harming your plants? Do you see damage? And if so, how much damage?

[swd12422]

No damage on the tomatoes yet, but the cucumber is dry and the leaves are speckled with some dry brown patches and edges. And yes, it is being watered, so I don't think it's a lack of water. The bugs were completely covering the undersides of some of the leaves -- is that ever a good thing? (I really don't know -- don't mean to sound snarky...)

[RosieL]

I don't really have suggestion, just want to lend support. Good that you caught those cabbage caterpillars early. We got an infestation last year that I couldn't control. They died off over the winter, but I wouldn't eat the broccoli that came off those plants...just couldn't stomach the idea of eating those little buggers. 

I'm working on an early defense plan for my tomato-killing mites this year. Marigolds as traps, really good soil composition, and I'll blast any I see with water. Last two years I let them get away from me early, and didn't ask enough questions on the boards. Searching gardenweb has really been great for me. I restrict a google search to site:gardenweb.com and get much better results than a general google search.

[lunita1]

The best place to start on id-ing bugs is going to be a source that is local to you.  Try googling "ipm+your state" or nearby states if your own state's site isn't helpful.  Also, if you can do macro photography, post a photo.  Also, very large infestations are often a sign that something is off balance -- distressed plants give off certain chemicals that pests actually key into (I think because the cell walls are softer and easier to penetrate if it is distressed?)  Creating an environment where the plant is extra healthy -- excellent soil, the right growing temperature (is it really time for cucumbers in your climate, or did you jump the gun a little?) can be a huge help. 

White flies and psyllids are two tiny winged pests that I can think of. 

[Owen'nZoe]

Originally Posted by swd12422 

No damage on the tomatoes yet, but the cucumber is dry and the leaves are speckled with some dry brown patches and edges. And yes, it is being watered, so I don't think it's a lack of water. The bugs were completely covering the undersides of some of the leaves -- is that ever a good thing? (I really don't know -- don't mean to sound snarky...)

No - Usually, if the plant is completely covered in bugs, it is a problem. :) The only reason I asked was for more information on your problem - sometimes people have posted about bug problems and it turns out they just had kind of unrealistic expectations about gardening - like, there shouldn't be any bugs on their plants, or they think that any damage to the leaves is a problem (when really plants can take having their leaves chomped a bit). It sounds like you are seeing more significant damage than that.

Have you thought of using floating row covers? These probably won't help you with the issue you have right now, because you really need to put them on before you have a problem, but in the future they would really cut down on the amount of time you have to spend hand picking in the garden. They're perfect for broccoli, cabbage, and cucumbers. My biggest problem in the yard is Japanese Beetles attacking my fruit trees, so I buy the fabric they use to make the floating row covers and wrap my trees in it. It looks funny, but it saves the trees!

[swd12422]

It's definitely aphids.... I just bought some ladybugs and marigolds, and hopefully those two things will get rid of them before I lose any plants!

I do have a row cover, but it's really hot here and I'm afraid I'll cook the plants! I need to do more research on that...

But another question: If I do use the soap spray or neem oil, will that hurt the ladybugs too, or just the aphids?

[sidandspencersmom]

don't let your lady bug out until dusk, or they will all fly away.

You can also rest assured that while neem hurts aphids, whiteflys and the like, it does not harm ladybugs and other predators that eat the aphids, or the tiny wasps that are parasites on many pests.

[mindymom]

Try not to get too frustrated.  It's tough losing things in your first season when you've invested so much time and energy into establishing a new garden, but it happens to everyone.  Just remember that it will get easier every year - you'll see those aphids right away next time, right?  So they won't have time to get established or do much damage.  And also as you get through your first couple seasons the quality of your garden soil will continue to improve and you'll learn the timing of when to expect problems, get to know other people in your area who garden and can tell you how they handle various situations...it just gets easier in so many ways.  Think of this first year as an investment, not only in terms of the good quality food you're going to grow and eat in the future, but also in terms of the knowledge that you're acquiring.  Imagine if you started gardening at a time when suddenly your family was dependent on the food you produced!  (I'm pretty sure we would have starved...)

[swd12422]

Thanks for all the tips and encouragement! I did more googling and yeah, IPM+<state> REALLY helps. I managed to ID most of what I've seen in the garden (there was one that even a local professional gardener couldn't ID) and released a few ladybugs each night. I check the plants daily now, and there are only a few little things left, but my tomatillo was COVERED in green aphids the other day and I spent a lot of time squishing them off. I had hoped my angry massacre will scare off any more, but yesterday there were two teeny worms on it! Is it safe to assume that most worms are NOT beneficials, unless they're butterflies-to-be? I squashed those things between my finger before I could stop to think about how much I can't stand bugs and how they freak me out for no apparent reason. Disgusting little popping sounds as they burst. I don't know if I can do that again... :( / ;) I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. I hate the thought of dealing with bugs and especially giving them such a violent death. But after the birds ate half my blueberries, my war with "wildlife" is on! (Of course, bird netting is not an option b/c my neighbor used to have to pick dead/dying birds that got stuck in it on a weekly basis. She solved that problem by not gardening anymore...)

[kathymuggle]

I have heard crushing up eggshell and ringing it around the plant works for some bugs.  So does Diatimaceous earth.

Good luck.  If you are still planting stuff, you could do a little container gardening.  It might be nice to have a few things that are bug free.  

I do think you will learn as you go along - do not expect much the first year, and if you get a lot - great.  I get more each year (assuming the weather co-operate).  There is a learning curve with gardening and it is a messy thing with inexact yield for many of us.   

[mattemma04]

 I have aphids,4 lined plant bugs,and japanese beetles. For most I picked off.With aphids I would take off the leaf they were on. For a while I sprayed some non-food plants with water that had a bit of dog flea shampoo in it.

If possible have a few planting areas in case disease of pests infect one plot. I tossed some marigold seeds in around my veggies.Some plants help deter pests and animals.

[swd12422]

Well, I'm happy to report that it seems the ladybugs did their job! The plants have been mostly clear and I moved them to a better spot in the yard, where my in-ground garden will be as soon as it's cool enough to start digging. Everything looks great, and if I can get them through the next month or two without the heat killing them I should have lots of tomatoes and tomatillos and peppers! Thanks for all encouragement, support, and tips. I know that expanding and putting the plants into the ground will only increase my encounters with pests, but at least I know now that I need to be diligent and keep a close eye on everything.