Anyone Know what these bugs are??

[Patti Taylor]

Found these roaming around my garden today .

[Patti Taylor]

Buckshot + Squirrels=Dat dare Texas Kung Foo,LOL.

[David]

true true

TCLynx said:

Keeping in mind you don't want to shoot holes or add lead into you aquaponics system.

[Garnett Henderson]

I found these in my garden today. After some research I found out they are leaf-footed beetles and they will eat your veggies. The assassin milkweed bugs (who keep your veggies safe) look very similar but they have white spots and don't cluster. 

[matthew ferrell]

TC, a well placed rat trap with a glued on peanut may work wonders for you.  Even better if you put peanut butter on it.  Squirrel is a nice meal and easy to clean.  At least that's what my coworkers tell me.

[Bradly]

I don't have my AP system built yet, but I've been veg gardening pretty seriously for about 5 years now.  My biggest problem is with aphids.  I've tried all kinds of soap sprays etc...but to no avail.  Even tried a mini vac to suck them off the leaves, didn't work well either-the aphids hung on to the leaves. 

So, last year I started using a 1" paint brush and gently supported the leaf while brushing them off the pepper plants into the gravel below...tedious but it works.

This year I just planted a bucket of Nasturdiums next to the 15 pepper plants to see if that rumor is true about them liking that flower more than anything else...we shall see !!!

[Bryan Acred]

Hi Bradley,

For aphids, you might try this method:

http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/what-s-the-best-way-to-...

Blessings,

Bryan

Bradly said:

I don't have my AP system built yet, but I've been veg gardening pretty seriously for about 5 years now.  My biggest problem is with aphids.  I've tried all kinds of soap sprays etc...but to no avail.  Even tried a mini vac to suck them off the leaves, didn't work well either-the aphids hung on to the leaves. 

So, last year I started using a 1" paint brush and gently supported the leaf while brushing them off the pepper plants into the gravel below...tedious but it works.

This year I just planted a bucket of Nasturdiums next to the 15 pepper plants to see if that rumor is true about them liking that flower more than anything else...we shall see !!!

[Bradly]

Hi Brian

Yes, I noticed that post yesterday about the worm castings...I have ot locate where I can get some where I live and try that.  I've tried all the soap mixes and other concoctions.  In fact last night I brushed them off the pepper leaves again and then put pieces of basil at the base of 2 of the plants to see if that rumor is true.  In few days I'm gonna try the chives in boiling water...then spraying the chive-water on the leaves just for the fun of it to try.

But I have to tell you, those green aphids don't quit, and so twice a week I go out and hand brush the aphids off the undersides of all the leaves of evey plant.  Farming is tough sometimes !  :-)  But whatever it takes. 

Once I find the worm castings and try that tea thing.... I'll post if it works

Bradly

[TCLynx]

Make sure there are not ants farming the aphids.  See spraying the aphids off with water often even works but if there are ants farming them, then ants will keep bringing them back.  You have to stop the ants, which is generally more difficult.