Shades of Green

Insects	Note: Most insecticides should be used in moderation and only when there is a severe outbreak of insects. Overuse greatly diminishes the population of beneficial insects which naturally help to control damaging pests.
Ants	Cut ants - Wetable sulfur, beneficial nematodes, liquid Spinosad Fire ants - Greenlight Fire Ant Control with Conserve, beneficial nematodes, DE

Aphids*	*Aphids are very essential in the garden because they attract valuable beneficial insects, therefore spraying is usually not recommended. Control by releasing beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, Neem Oil, Insecticidal Soap, Bioganic

Beetles, all types	Liquid spinosad, garlic sprays (repellent), Neem Oil

Borers	Beneficial nematodes in soil around trunk of tree to control larvae, mulch heavily around tree, liquid Spinosad on trunk

Caterpillars	Trichogramma wasps (wasps must be released when caterpillars are in the egg stage (late February through June), BT (use sparingly to prevent damage to butterfly population), liquid Spinosad

Chiggers	Bioganic, liquid Spinosad, beneficial insects (apply in January), CedarCide, dusting sulfur

Fleas	Beneficial nematodes, DE, Bioganic

Forest tent caterpillars	Trichogramma wasps (release early spring), liquid Spinosad for clusters of caterpillars on truck of tree

Grubworms	Beneficial nematodes

Mealybug	Neem Oil, Bioganic, Horticultural Oil, liquid Spinosad, release beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings

Nutcase bearers	Trichogramma wasps (several releases from February - April)

Pill Bugs	Sluggo Plus, Bioganic or liquid Spinosad sprayed on the soil under foliage, DE

Scale	Neem Oil, Horticultural Oil during winter months, release beneficial insects, Bioganic

Slugs & Snails	Sluggo, DE, traps

Spidermites	Liquid seaweed (most effective when mixed with liquid molasses)--regular spraying prevents and/or controls spidermites

Thrips	Beneficial nematodes (applied January or February), garlic sprays (repellent)

Ticks	Beneficial nematodes (applied January or February), Bioganic, DE

Webworms	Trichogramma wasps (release in spring)

Whitefly	Insecticidal Soap, garlic sprays (repellent), Bioganic


Diseases
Black Spot	Garlic sprays, cornmeal “tea” (soak whole ground cornmeal in water for 4 to 6 hours, drain and use liquid as a foliar spray), sprinkle whole ground cornmeal at base of plant, baking soda (1 tbls./gallon of water), potassium bicarbonate, keep affected leaves picked up

Blossom end rot	Epsom salt (2 tbsp/gallon of water and drench soil around tomatoes)--this solution prevents and cures blossom end rot

Brown Patch	Garlic sprays, whole ground cornmeal (15 to 20 lbs/1000 square feet), potassium bicarbonate, baking soda (1 tbsp/gallon water)

Early blight	Garlic sprays, whole ground cornmeal at base of plant, potassium bicarbonate, baking soda (1 tbsp/gallon water)

Leaf spot fungus	Garlic sprays, corn meal “tea”, actively aerated compost tea, potassium bicarbonate, baking soda (1 tbsp/gallon water)

Powdery mildew	Garlic sprays, Neem Oil, corn meal “tea”, actively aerated compost tea, potassium bicarbonate, baking soda (1 tbsp/gallon water)

Rust	Rotate crops each year, Ggrlic sprays, whole ground corn meal

Sooty Mold	Wash with soapy water and eliminate any insect infestation


Other Problems
Chlorosis	Medina Micronutrients (follow direction on bag), green sand (shrubs – 2 cups/1” trunk diameter; lawn – 15 to 20 lbs/1000 square feet; garden – 5 lbs/100 square feet)

Weed Control	Pre-emergent – corn gluten meal applied prior to seed germination Existing – Orange oil/vinegar mix (2 tbsp. orange oil per gallon of vinegar plus 1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap) makes a NON-SELECTIVE herbicide Good lawn maintenance reduces compaction and strenghtens turf which suppresses weeds. Mow regularly, spray monthly with Medina Plus, water deeply when necessary, and apply ½” of compost to lawn twice a year.