organic type treatment for insects ?

[daffydill]

can anyone please recommend an organic type treatment for controlling caterpillars and other leaf eating bugs
thanks

[Paulottie]

Derris Dust was made from plant material (but still could damage pollinators). Anyway its been withdrawn.

So, with caterpillars you are best to searching out eggs especially. Flea beetle - use sticky card trick ( they jump on). Most methods require search and destroy and/or encouraging predators. Organic pest control is big subject and a whole way of gardening and a long term project.

[Snadger]

Squish em!

[Twinkle]

My organic allotment book recommends salt water for dealing with caterpillars - 60g salt to 5 litres warm water sprayed on.

I've never tried this - might be worth a go though ?

[Paulottie]

Squish em!

Don't waste words Snadger!...I guess that sums up the methodology very succinctly.

[daffydill]

thanks for the replies ill try them out see how we get on and yep snager ill even squish em

[daisybeegood]

I would love to know if anyone has any solution for slugs (apart from buying beer), I am growing most of my crops in hanging baskets this year as they haven't evolved enough to fly yet :0) My cherry tree & courgettes were being attacked by aphids & as I had nothing else to hand I gave them a light spray with Sunflower Oil, it seems to have killed them off!!!

[Two_Sheds]

aphids... I gave them a light spray with Sunflower Oil, it seems to have killed them off!!!

Squish them with your fingers.
Won't the oil behave like a cooking oil in the sunshine, and cook your leaves?