"Norma Briggs" writes:

That is what I am trying to figure out, my sage and basil have circular
nibbles right out of the middle of the leaves, and something ate my dill
down to the stem...grrr. However, the parsley, cilantro and chives have not
been touched to date. Its a small memorial garden for my son so they are all

On a related note, assuming the problem is not slugs, can anyone
recommend some minimally-harmful pesticides, probably for earwigs? I
planted some lettuce, basil, and pak choy, and all of the seedlings are
dying the death of 10,000 nibbles. Within a week or two, I don't think
I'll have any seedlings left. I'm guessing that the problem is earwigs,
as they seem to be pretty prevalent around here. I've tried neem, but
that doesn't seem to be working. Someone recommended a tuna can with
vegetable oil and soy sauce as a trap; does that actually work?

Thanks!

--
Darryl Okahata


DISCLAIMER: this message is the author's personal opinion and does not
constitute the support, opinion, or policy of Agilent Technologies, or
of the little green men that have been following him all day.

On 12 May 2003 09:21:41 -0700, Darryl Okahata
wrote:

On a related note, assuming the problem is not slugs, can anyone
recommend some minimally-harmful pesticides, probably for earwigs? I
planted some lettuce, basil, and pak choy, and all of the seedlings are
dying the death of 10,000 nibbles. Within a week or two, I don't think
I'll have any seedlings left. I'm guessing that the problem is earwigs,
as they seem to be pretty prevalent around here. I've tried neem, but
that doesn't seem to be working. Someone recommended a tuna can with
vegetable oil and soy sauce as a trap; does that actually work?


Sounds like it might attract cats!

How about covering the seedlings with floating row cover or
nylon net? You can make a 'cage' out of chicken wire, and
cover that with nylon net. Fiberglass window screening
would work also.

In the case of floating row cover, you can put it right on
the plants.

Unless the bugs come up from underneath (through the soil
under the plants), any of these should work.

Pat

Pat Meadows writes:

How about covering the seedlings with floating row cover or
nylon net? You can make a 'cage' out of chicken wire, and
cover that with nylon net. Fiberglass window screening
would work also.

Thanks, but the earwigs are probably hiding in the (cocoa-shell)
mulch, and so a row cover wouldn't work (unless the culprit isn't
earwigs). Periodically replacing the mulch has been suggested, but I'd
be concerned about accidentally pulling out some of the emerging
seedlings if I did that.

--
Darryl Okahata


DISCLAIMER: this message is the author's personal opinion and does not
constitute the support, opinion, or policy of Agilent Technologies, or
of the little green men that have been following him all day.

In article ,
says...
On a related note, assuming the problem is not slugs, can anyone
recommend some minimally-harmful pesticides, probably for earwigs?

I recently bought some bait that says it's for earwigs, cutworms,
sowbugs, and in small print says "also kills slugs and snails.

Says it's safe to use around veggies but don't get it on the leaves.

It's a ways to my garden shed, so I don't have the name handy, but I
bought it at our local nursery/garden shop so it shouldn't be hard to
find.

--
To announce that there must be no criticism of the president or that we
are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic
and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
Teddy Roosevelt

In article ,
Darryl Okahata writes:
|
| On a related note, assuming the problem is not slugs, can anyone
| recommend some minimally-harmful pesticides, probably for earwigs? I
| planted some lettuce, basil, and pak choy, and all of the seedlings are
| dying the death of 10,000 nibbles. Within a week or two, I don't think
| I'll have any seedlings left. I'm guessing that the problem is earwigs,
| as they seem to be pretty prevalent around here. I've tried neem, but
| that doesn't seem to be working. Someone recommended a tuna can with
| vegetable oil and soy sauce as a trap; does that actually work?

While earwigs can damage seedlings, they aren't usually a major
pest. Serious damage is more often due to slugs and snails (not
necessarily the large ones you notice).


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.