My grandmother used to say, "You cannot run barefoot until you see the first butterfly." Each day we would watch, and joyfully go running to her when we spotted one. They were usually little delicate white or yellow ones. I wonder now if that was her way of taking something the children desired and turning it into an opportunity............(read more in "Running Barefoot".)

Below you'll find some of the most common garden pests in the Northeast. It isn't comprehensive by any means....merely a starting point. I will give you hints on how to protect your garden from them without "heavy pesticides". I'll also provide some natural recipes you can try, and review some "friendly pesticides" you can find at your local garden center. (still working on on the "Homemade Concoctions and Friendly Pesticides" page for you...I'll provide links to that page as soon as it is finished.)

Aphids hide along the stems and under the leaves of a wide variety of plants. Their incessant feasting weakens the plant.

Dislikes: Nasturtiums and garlic.

Concoctions to try: Onion Water Spray, or for heavy infestations whip up a batch of soap suds. Apply the SUDS to the stems and leaves.....rinse.

Mexican Bean Beetles will consume the leaves of your bean plants, leaving a lacy brown mess. They'll also nibble on the beans, and rather than focus on one bean, they prefer to keep moving and sample your whole crop! Timing is a huge factor for successful bean crops. Plant as early as possible (per variety) to get most of your beans harvested before they arrive.

Dislikes: Garlic, marigolds, rosemary and nasturtiums.

Concoctions to try: Oil Spray during larva stage (suffocating)

Bean Beetle larvae (those little yellow "fluffy" things)

Here it is....that cabbage butterfly I wanted so desperately to see during my childhood! Now I dread it! A physical barrier such as row covers is a first line of defense....if they can't land to lay their eggs....no worms to hatch! It isn't the butterfly that is the problem after all, it's those hungry little worms! They'll munch on cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprout leaves causing a lot of damage in a short amount of time. They're masters of disguise too....very difficult to find in a broccoli head.

Dislikes: Mints, Rosemary, Sage, Tansy and Nasturtiums. Plant tomato plants nearby as well.

Concoctions to try: General Purpose Pepper Spray, Salt Water Spray.

Cucumber beetle. My nemesis! We love pickles, and this little culprit ruined that dream of a full pantry of home-made pickles many different years. Not to mention the damage they did to our pumpkin patch and summer squash! They'll also go after beans, corn or eggplants. The adults awaken from hibernation and create a "swarm" that will nibble on leaves. They also spread a bacteria from plant to plant that causes it to wilt and die. As if that isn't enough, they lay their eggs on the ground near their favored plants. When the eggs hatch the larvae feast on the roots of the plants!

Dislikes: Radish plants, Tansy, Marigold and Nasturtiums. Row covers help, but many of these little "buggers" manage to find their way in. Try mulching lightly with cedar to deter egg laying. Dust with a mixture of equal parts of wood ash and lime dust in early morning so it sticks to the dew and dries........or 1/2 cup of each in a gallon of water to spray anytime. Heavy infestation calls for Rotenone dustings.

Japanese Beetles....I'm sure you've seen these! They seem to have an insatiable appetite for anything green! The adults cause the lacing as shown above. The larva are hidden in the soil and often mistaken for cutworms....their damage is the same. They'll even attack beets and onions! They can really damage the lawn too.

Dislikes: Rue and Tansy....plant thickly! Try garlic and chives, they are a bit stronger than onions and seem to help deter the adults. Physical barriers and hand-picking are most effective. Just as with cutworms, place sunken collars around your plants to keep the grubs away. Leave a few unprotected as bait. Each morning carefully dig around to find the larva. I squash them. Knock the adults into a pail of soapy water.

Concoctions to try: Molasses Traps throughout garden and hanging in fruit trees. Yeast Sugar and Soap traps.

Encourage birds and toads to visit your garden by providing water and shelter. They'll do plenty of handpicking for you! While you're at it, why not hang some bat houses? They'll reduce moths and mosquitoes for you!

Slugs. You know, I always thought these were the neatest things, until I saw what they did to my Hosta! They like low leafy plants such as lettuce or spinach. They have very soft bodies and don't like to be scratched or "burned" so swaths of sand or wood ash deter them. Make them about 6"-8" wide. The beer traps do seem to work. I've found empty bottles with just a few drops of beer left in them work great, and are quicker and easier to deal with than shallow plates. If you don't drink beer, try getting a few empties from the recycling center or local pizza place. Another thing to do is provide a nice home for them. They like to hide under boards during the day. Simply check under the boards and remove them daily.

Carrot Flies and Root Maggots (no photo)

Timing your crop is helpful with these culprits. Here in NH I plant my carrots in June, and pull them out at the end of August. I haven't had any problems because I'm avoiding the insect's natural breeding cycle. It is the same with my radishes, I get them in as early as possible, and out of the ground as early as possible...(helps the flavor too!) But, I leave some in the ground as bait to protect other crops.

You can plant Rosemary and Sage with your carrots as an extra precaution. Also try mixing ground coffee with your carrot seeds. It helps separate these tiny seeds, and if planted along with them help deter maggots.

Wood ashes in the soil are caustic to these and many other soft bodied culprits.

Ants

To protect your home and garden from ants, try planting Tansy, Geraniums and Mints along your foundation and garden edge. Sprigs of mint in your cupboards, on your countertop and the sill of your foundation will deter them.

We have one spot at our front door that ants seem to prefer. This year I plan to try sprinkling some cornmeal. I've read they take it to their nest, it swells when they consume it, and it kills them. We'll also try keeping that area drier by using gutters (aimed at barrells....rain catchment for watering...Yay!) I'll report back to you on this one! Sunflowers consume lots of water. I've planted them along the sunnier part of our foundation, and this helps keep our basement drier.

Concoction to try: General Purpose Pepper Spray

Mosquitoes

Not so much a garden pest, but still unwelcome in the yard. Bats and dragonflies consume mosquitoes night and day. Place potted Basil near your doors to discourage them from entering. Keep all stagnant water covered with screen or float oil on the top. This keeps the mosquitoes from laying their eggs.