Garden Pests

Pill Bugs

many legged Dark shelled covering rolls up into a ball

Description of Damage

usually does not attack plants but on large numbers can cause damage chew leaves eats seedlings, stems. feeds at night, feeds manly on decaying matter but in large numbers could cause damage.

Attacks

flowers, seedlings, tender plants

Organic Controls:

floating row cover destroy infested plants use barriers/traps
A good trap/attractant is as follows: in a bowel pour some apple cider, or vinegar or whisky. Attracts, replace with new mixture. try different types like wine, beer, whisky, etc. reduce food supply by controlling weeds

Safe Botanicals:

Cayenne Pepper (Tabasco sauce)
Garlic sprays
Dr. Bronners Peppermint soap
Garden Grade DE
A sample formula for spraying: in a quart water filled near to top add: 5 drops Tabasco sauce 1 drop Dr. Bronners peppermint soap or Jungle Rain or any natural soap 2 drops garlic oil or crushed or store bought spray on leaves and or directly on bug. test for strength to avoid damage to plants. spray around area to keep them away. avoid beneficials be pest specific
A good dust mixture is: 1 part Pyrethrum 1 part Garden Grade DE 1 part alfalfa meal 1/8 part cayenne pepper 1 part Cornmeal dust around plants and under leaves, don't water for 24 hrs avoid beneficials, be pest specific

A NOTE ABOUT SOAP:

Do not use soaps that are chemically made or that have strange chemical additives or preservatives. Instead use only natural soap, either citrus or peppermint based or a mix (like Jungle Rain) but also try herbal soaps. Use only a very small amount of soap and use only when necessary.
for more information on soap From Using Soap to Using Ultra Fine Oil see also safe soap chart

Natural Predators

Predatory Nematodes

Need more help?

The Invisible Gardener

garden pests