I'm not letting them win - Organic Ways to Control Pests in the Garden

[@dogslobbergardens6606]

When I tried to use bird netting to protect plants, I got my own dang self all tangled in it before the birds had a chance LOL. Seriously, it's kind of a pain to deal with. I'll try that cloth you showed instead.

[@gkl2012]

I read once that deer are repulsed by peppermint oil. I have used it for the past 5 years and even after visiting my apple tree, once I applied it, they had nothing to do with it.

[@donnasoroka7197]

For the past several years I have been interplanting alliums with brassicas to repel the white cabbage moth and therefore reducing / eliminating cabbage worms.

[@Kandyman54]

I use crushed eggshells to form a barrier around target plants to repel slugs.

[@MelissaKNorris]

Doesn't work on our slugs, they go right over it

[@dn744]

For slugs, I take off any damaged leaves from brassica plants, then place under coconut halves. Look each morning and remove 👍

[@seekwisdom5102]

Your channel is an absolute blessing. Most videos are from people from different regions and our challenges are so different from the rest of the country. My nasturtiums also didn’t germinate, I sanded the seeds lightly and I am trying again.

[@gerardbechard5881]

Kaolin clay may work better than diatomaceous earth at repelling some insects. Also goes by the trade name Surround WP. Mix it with water and spray it on plants. It's not poison and is allowed for organic growing. For slugs, string a single electric wire bout 1/2" off the ground around the area you want protected. It's an electric fence for slugs. Also works for keeping racoons away from sweet corn but for racoons, the wire needs to be about 4" off the ground.

[@donotRussiamyMerica]

Diatomaceous earth scares me. I had a cat die after inhaling it. It was months of agony. Structurally, diatomaceous earth is similar to asbestos.

[@ethandsemmel]

Just a comment. As I get into gardening (this is my first year) and I watch channels that interest me, such as yours and others, your comments on tilling struck home with me. Let me just say, tilling does not make one a bad gardener, wrong, bad person, etc. Also, the same goes for not tilling. People have to get over their dogma and realize everyone is different. Actually, my favorite video of yours is where you create a new garden plot quickly for your corn and potatoes using a tiller to clear the grass.

[@DeanoHexe]

Melissa, thanks for the videos. We are originally from Central Oregon but have decided to move to Tennessee and homestead. We have planted an orchard, vineyard, and huge family garden. We find your presentations very engaging, pertinent, and we watch them all the time. We have found a 100 % organic pest product called Kaolin Clay, marketed under the name Surround WP. Just a very powdery clay dust. I use a flour sifter to apply, it’s the clay they use on facials . I buy 25 pound bags on Amazon. Keep up the good work !

[@HeatherNaturaly]

I use a flour sifter to apply DE. Have you heard of bone sauce? It's a deer repellent. Billy from Perma Pastures Farm, sells it. It's AMAZING!

[@markkristynichols845]

Melissa, I totally feel ya with that baby talk with animals! Fun fact, it is said that owners who talk that way to their dogs are more connected to them! Maybe it’s just a theory but I love to believe it 😃. ❤️ y’all, Kristy in Missouri zone 6b 😃🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@sierraechopnw4228]

DE is my favorite, natural pest control.

[@kdavis4910]

Mine too.

[@bruceaugustine6486]

A dryer sheet near the apple trees keeps the deer away from our apple trees. we will put them on a support post.

[@MK-ti2oo]

I'm glad I'm not the only one behind because of the cold. Last year here in the high Sierra it was flaming hot for a month and a half at this point, this year, I had Frost all 3 nights last weekend.

[@itme7685]

I have a new garden in a new home and the slugs have been crazy, of course PNW it’s been raining more than usual and temps have been cool. Sluggo was my savior, before I was out every night picking slugs off. I had a community garden before we got this house, and I think because there was a creek nearby there might have been frogs/toads helping as I only had a few casualties.

[@user-h3s7v]

Great information for this first year gardener! Thank you so much!! ~Kelly

[@donotRussiamyMerica]

This year I did dense intercropping, and it has done wonders. Last year, I planted squash in one area, cantaloupe in another, etc. I had so many pests. Now the squash are planted among the beans and potatoes. Cantaloupe under my fruit trees and among my sweet potatoes. The scents are less dense,and the extra foliage makes it more difficult for the insects to get to where they want to be. The beans fix nitrogen for the other plants. The soil isn’t bare, so there is less evaporation. I’m getting more production per square foot. There is less maintenance. I won’t go back to standard garden layouts.

[@JoryValley]

11:30 need to try some Billy’s bone sauce from permaculture farms on the fruit trees.

[@j-man4559]

Hey Melissa! Great video! Another natural pest control around fruit trees is planting Garlic at the base of each tree. Bugs and do not like it and will stay away from climbing the trees or bushes.

[@jessicaj8148]

Having issues with deer eating things. It’s weird because there is so much other greenery they could eat but the chose my peppers and marigolds. I need to get better at securing plants from deer

[@lucythomas4077]

You should use an empty baby powder shaker. Works wonderful.

[@GmamaGrowz]

Thanks for sharing your organic pest control methods 🤩!

[@jaywires717]

It sure seems like the prettiest KZbinrs have the most subscribers no matter what thier channel is about.

[@joscelynpease6656]

Your knowledge is incredible!

[@cherylkovalik1983]

Congrats on the ducklings! We absolutely love ours; they are so much fun. No eggs yet but we can't wait to try baking with them.

[@cindyt3789]

Ducks are great for slug patrol but know that they will decimate your squash plants!!

[@stephanieserblowski2092]

I my kefir strainer ended up in my DE bucket, it works great for sprinkling!

[@AaronSmith-ss1ub]

Hello Stephanie

[@doriedoremi]

Root nematodes!!! I know that was not what your videos about but I've been gardening for many many years and was only just introduced to them about 2 weeks ago in my very own garden. I'm so upset. I still am. I had knee replacement last summer and so I bought some corn sets since I was going to be behind and I'm pretty certain they were imported there because none of my other beds have them only the two were planted those. But there is not any decent material out there on how to get rid of the hateful things. They destroyed my okra. What you said about tilling I'm pretty certain I didn't read that anywhere but I did turn over the soil really well in both beds and then I planted golden guardian marigolds. I'm sure hoping that helps and I will just change up the planting which I always do I never plant the same thing in a bed. Thank you so much for your videos and your podcast!

[@lajwantishahani1225]

I've got slugs & snails partying in my kitten's food bowl out on the porch!! Beer trap won't work for me because we get slugs only during heavy rains and flooding. I might just get a pair of duckies if they do the job though 😅

[@michaeldawson7596]

Good information!👍 It's always great to hear what others do and deal with

[@donotRussiamyMerica]

Bolts of green tulle is an option. I wait until it is on sale at local fabric shop.

[@cindynielson4231]

Great tips and tricks! I can not seem to get nasturtiums to germinate. TFS 👍👏🌱🥰

[@MK-ti2oo]

They are tough buggers for me too I started around 30 and only 2 germinated. I'm going to try scarifying or peroxide in a paper towel now so I can keep an eye on them.

[@cindynielson4231]

@@MK-ti2oo I have thought I didn't know what I is was doing . Thanks for the help.👍

[@MK-ti2oo]

I consider myself a pretty accomplished Gardener and these damn things just baffle me. The only other plant I have a hard time with is lavender, even after cold stratification I can't seem to get them to germ in soil.

[@hickoryhillinthebigwoods-r759]

Grasshoppers. Those seem to want to devour my garden. Last year it was army worms. Never ending I tell you.

[@leeannandrews932]

I've also use baked crushed egg shells to keep slugs & snails down

[@MelissaKNorris]

That has never worked for me, they crawl right over it

[@rumyseattle]

I have flea beetles on my potatoes this year. Also have a slug invasion that is insane eating my kale down to the spines. I might have to try that stuff. ✌

[@DonnaB61]

Get a bag of sand and put it around your plants. Slugs hate to crawl on it

[@kdavis4910]

It works. Same thing happened here.

[@quackerfarm1234]

You could use a sifter and do that that's the way I would do it but that's me

[@Recoveringred]

Thanks, I learned a lot. Sorry to hear about your recent chicken egg sensitivity!

[@MelissaKNorris]

Thanks so much!

[@nojindoj2334]

Good morning! Thank you for this info. Im new to gardening, & I heard dish soap and water could kill afids, so when I had an infestation, I sprayed them..... and killed my entire crop of potatoes! Evidently there's something in "antibacterial" dawn that frys potato plants, and seriously burned my tomato plants. Maybe next time I'll get ladybugs in a can, or use your DE technique.

[@dogslobbergardens6606]

Yeah, you def do not want to spray antibacterial soap on your garden anyway. You can still get plain dish-soap, or horticultural soaps that won't harm anything. As well as the other methods.

[@MelissaKNorris]

Oh no!

[@appl3jax498]

Just plain flour kills them too

[@maria_w311]

Hi Melissa 👋

[@mariaallevato6121]

This year, pill bugs have eaten around the base of the stems of most of my cucumbers and bush beans. Collars are the only thing that has worked, but it was on the remaining ones. I'll have to replant. :(

[@Back2Simplelife]

Same!!! I've replanted 3x. Treating with slug stuff now. So far so good 🤞

[@crystalwaldrep5775]

I hate slugs, epsom salt circles around seedling helped me

[@leaelizabeth23]

My blueberry bush got mummy berry this year. I dont know what to do with it. Do i just pick all the berries off and prune it and maybe change the soil? It is a potted blueberry. Or do i need to throw out the entire plant? I don’t want it spreading to all the blueberries around here

[@alittleSouthernBrothers]

will this work for potato bugs too?

[@debarnold5019]

I am confused. I saw an MIGardner video recently that said DE will not kill bees because it only works on insects with segmented bodies. You said the opposite. How is one to know who is correct?

[@lusoroofing5221]

some solid advice!

[@authentichomestead]

Love the suggestions. What have tried for deer and rabbits? ~ Laurie

[@workinprogress3609]

Great content. Thanks!

[@actionjax6068]

I’ve read that DE is harmful to bees so I’ve been putting around the base only of my plants.

[@kdavis4910]

That's what I do also

[@olivialangton9535]

Love to listen to all of your wisdom and in many areas too, .........but love your boots/shoes and can you tell me what site you got them from or is that allowed on your site? Thx Melissa. Keep your wisdom coming!

[@olivialangton9535]

Just saw the brand as you were working the garden. Great and looks like not to costly either!!

[@PatrickPoet]

you need food grade because the activated DE using in swimming pools has been treated with heat to expand and has lost its sharp edges, it won't work for pest contro.

[@raphaeldesplechin6078]

PLEASE USE CLOUCHE TO PROTECT YOUR TWOLEAF SEEDLINGS

[@nancyseery2213]

I have some amaranth this year and something is eating it up! The plants are still flowering but the leaves look like swiss cheese. I have tried to see what is on the plants, but haven't found the bug just yet. My tomatoes, potatoes and peppers don't seem to be eaten, so I don't think it is flee beetles. Yes, I use the tunnels to keep the butterflies and worms out of my cabbage and it does work well. Any ideas??

[@kristinmaiorana9334]

I was wondering where you get the netting that you use for your fruit trees?

[@CaponeCabin]

It's a all out attack! Deer and bunnies are my biggest 2 plant predators!

[@peachykeen7634]

I have to admit I gave up on my squash. Vine borers destroyed them despite my injecting the plants with BT... taking the painstaking time to wrap all the stems... ugh. Now aphids are eating the Okra :(

[@lakesidehomesteadwithdavea5757]

Oh my gosh same with my squash!! So frustrating …

[@CattumsAddams]

Sorry if this was asked already, could you use a mesh sieve forapplying the Dia. Earth?

[@articmars1]

DE Will it work just as well if you put it just on the dirt around the plant? I dont want to put that on my greens

[@MelissaKNorris]

Not if it's flying insects and it's good grade, people consume it on purpose

[@nkc9788]

What are those apple trap called and where can I get them?

[@DonnaB61]

I put sand around my baby plants to save them from slugs and it worked

[@CarisaRealtor]

Thaaaaaaank you

[@MelissaKNorris]

Welcome!

[@nancyseery2213]

One other question, where do you get the white bird netting?

[@MelissaKNorris]

I got it off Amazon, I couldn't find it locally. I linked to it in the blog post that has this written out (it's in the video description)

[@lleestimer2547]

will DE kill worms?

[@fyliciawaugh]

How do you keep the rabbits and chickens from eating everything?

[@MelissaKNorris]

I don't free range my chickens in summer, we use a chicken tractor and the coyotes eat all the rabbits

[@fyliciawaugh]

@@MelissaKNorris oh ok thank you! Our LSGD scares off all the chores so now we have rabbit issues, building a fence so hopefully that will keep them out!

[@fyliciawaugh]

*coyotes

[@shanp8907]

Really great information! We have issues with aphids in our greenhouse, and have tried literally everything to rid ourselves of them (including neem oil, ladybugs, lacewings, and tea-tree oil/peppermint oil mix. Any suggestions? They’re so destructive of our plants!

[@MelissaKNorris]

I spray with soap and water and it kills them

[@shanp8907]

Thank you! We will try that!

[@sarad2083]

We have a sowing thistle growing in the front yard. Come to find out not only is the plant edible..it's sap has medicinal purposes and also rids aphids. They can be considered invasive as they spread rapidly but their root systems are small so easy to pull out. Just an idea 😊

[@dorisdaylight8415]

@@MelissaKNorris At what concentrate please Melissa? And I take it you mean like using dish washing liquid as the soap?

[@dorisdaylight8415]

@@shanp8907 Good luck with it. I hope it works. I had a huge infestation as well and they took over everything.

[@rogerspaulding6569]

👍

[@creativehomemaker503]

Good morning! I have a groundhog that keeps eating my seedlings down to the stems. Any suggestions? Thank you for such wonderful content. You and the Homesteading Family are my go to channels! Blessings to you and your family!

[@cjdflkj]

Pew pew

[@megangarten2115]

I've trapped 4 this season with a live trap and cantaloupe! And I replanted.

[@rg-mi5hh]

We have one living under our shed which is close to our garden. Cat litter repels them. They hate the smell of cat urine.

[@miloarty3712]

8:40 I'm expecting to hear "Local Western Washington State Homesteader single-handedly DECIMATES Slug Population... More at 11" on the news tomorrow.

[@rogerwitt5572]

I've had good luck using box turtles in fighting slugs and snails.

[@h.a.barker412]

The biggest pests in my garden are my chickens 😳😂🐓🐔

[@davidospina5216]

Hello H.A. Baker how are you doing

[@DonnaMM6361]

If your ducks eat the slugs, and you then eat the duck eggs, then aren't you eating the slugs? 😂 Ewe! Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

[@kingisback7534]

Please madam make video of slaughter duck chicken quail turkey video,for education purpose I will learning from your channel how to process bird's video ❤️❤️🙏🙏

[@lusoroofing5221]

some solid advice!