I could never imagine spraying inorganic chemical pesticides on vegetables or herbs that I am growing in my own raised vegetable beds. This year, two beetles have started to attack my potato plants.
The more numerous of my beetles are the smaller (pictured) Threelined Potato Beetles (Lema trilineata).
They lay small yellowish eggs (pictured) on the underside of the potato leaves.
The other, larger beetle is the Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata).
These beetles lay somewhat larger, orange eggs (pictured), also on the underside of the potato leaves.
Organically controlling the beetle population is something that I have taught my children how to do, includes them in the vegetable tending process, and is an activity that they enjoy. Here’s how to do it:
1. Fill a jar with soapy water.
2. Hold the jar under any beetles that you see.
3. If you bring your hand close to a beetle, it will have a natural flight response of dropping to the ground–or in this case, into your jar.
4. Once they fall into the soapy water, they lose the ability to fly and quickly sink to the bottom; in 5-10 minutes, you can rid yourself of dozens of these pests.
5. As for the eggs, check the undersides of your leaves; I find them sticky and difficult to remove, so I just tear off the leaves and stick them in the water too.
Side note: This method also works on the Japanese Beetles (Popillia japonica) that attack my roses in July.
Heirloom Gardener 
This is a very good idea. I have a couple of other pests that I remove manually.The one I have a lot of trouble with though are aphids. Too many and too small for manual control. Any advice?
LikeLike
Aren’t aphids controlled with ladybugs sold at garden centers?
LikeLike
I knew having a house full of children was good for something. tee hee… I haven’t seen these kind of beetles in my garden. I guess I don’t have anything of the potato family here. I do get those pesky japanes beetles. They aren’t as numerous as they have been due to us putting down milky spores. I think that is what it was called. We did it several years ago and could definitely see a decline in the beetles.
LikeLike
Thanks! I love simple organic pest control methods. (Love ’em more if I can get the kid to take care of it!)
LikeLike
I just discovered that something has been chewing the heck out of my tomatillos. Now I know what they are (three-lined potato beetles) and what to do about them. Thanks!
LikeLike
Hi! is there an organic method to remove earwigs from my garden? I am having so much problem with earwigs because they've eaten almost half of my crops. I am supposed to harvest next month 😦
Are there suggestions? I badly need help.
LikeLike
Organic pest control in the form of natural barriers like mounds, or planting many colorful ornamental plants in your garden along with the use of organic pesticides and insecticides can work wonders.
LikeLike
This seems to be a great site which offers Pest Control Austin, Bed Bugs Texas, Bed Bugs Austin, Bed Bugs Dallas, Bed Bugs Houston etc. and i would surely like to try their service…i had been relying on http://www.pestmanagementinc.com earlier and they too offered good stuff.
LikeLike
Organic pest control is cheap and effective. It is also beneficial for the plants that grow in the garden and keeps you and your family healthy as opposed to when you use chemicals.
Click Here
LikeLike
We use organic practices in many of our trial fields. Our main trial plot is not certified, but we honor the land-owner's wishes and treat the space as if it was. Since many of our customers are organic, certified or not, this works well for everyone. As part of our organic practices, we control pests by encouraging beneficials.
Carpet Cleaning | Pest Control
LikeLike
The Green Directory has the most comprehensive selection of Green, Eco, Sustainable, Fair Trade and Environmentally Friendly Companies, Products and Services. Use the eco directory to find green, eco, fair trade, recycled and sustainable businesses, services, news, events, articles and guides.
LikeLike
This blog is very informative for us! In farming pest troubles usually are typical. I really like farming, therefore usually I use your pest handle products involving New age Normal. They furnish products which are trusted and affordable to everyone. Termites honolulu
LikeLike
Many pest control service suppliers are there to help the client group get awesome results. The pest control Malaysia sellers are good not just for their effective providers but additionally for wonderful customer care service.
pest control oahu
LikeLike
Hello,
It is very important to keep our house and garden safe from pest, you have provided a good informational blog. It help us in a lot of ways, thanks for sharing your ideas. Keep sharing further also, Pest Control Gold Coast services are really needed.
LikeLike
No doubt this is an excellent post I got a lot of knowledge after good luck. Theme of blog is excellent there is almost everything to read, Brilliant post.
pest control san antonio
LikeLike
نعتبر شركتنا افضل شركة مكافحة حشرات تعمل علي تقديم خدمات محترفة تضمن للعميل ابادة حشرات المنزل مع الحصول علي الضمان المناسب نحن في ركن نجد نقدم أفضل مبيدات وأدوات مكافحة الحشرات خصيصا لأننا نسعي لتقديم أرقي وأفضل وأجود الخدمات كما تقدم شركة مكافحة الحشرات بالرياض كخدمة مميزة.
شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض
مكافحة الحشرات بالرياض
شركة مكافحة حشرات بالرياض
LikeLike