Need Suggestions On Dealing With Hungry Bugs!

[okcoupondiva]

I've been fighting to keep my garden alive through this heat we have been having but now I have some very, very, very hungry bugs (and no garden). Saturday afternoon they stripped all of the leaves off of my tomato plants then started on the green peppers then proceeded to my melons. I just went out front to give my plants a drink out there and they ate 1 of my holly bushes, there is nothing left except for branches. These things are black with a hard shell and fly (and did I say very hungry?!)
Any idea what they might be and how to get rid of them would be much appreciated!

[$Saving!]

Are you referring to June Bugs, are they large? I know they can strip a tree pretty well, but I don't think I've seen them go after garden plants before

Of course IF they are June bugs - there are traps you can hang around and they fly into them and die.

[chitownmelli]

Ooooh, I need some traps of doom, as I am working on a rather large garden for next year and I would like to keep most of my food!

[CW&M Mom]

I'm guessing it's a tomato worm.

In this heat...I'd be giving up.

[okcoupondiva]

Are you referring to June Bugs, are they large? I know they can strip a tree pretty well, but I don't think I've seen them go after garden plants before

Of course IF they are June bugs - there are traps you can hang around and they fly into them and die.

They are about 1/2 inch long & very narrow. Kind of pointy at the rear end. My farmer neighbor has lived here for 60 years and has never seen anything like these. He told me they should die from eating the holly bush.

I'm guessing it's a tomato worm.

In this heat...I'd be giving up.

It's not a tomato worm, wish it was as I could have taken care of that pretty easy.

[CW&M Mom]

Well on your holly bush you could cover it with sevin.

I wish it would rain. This drought sucks.

[okcoupondiva]

Well on your holly bush you could cover it with sevin.

I wish it would rain. This drought sucks.

I don't know what is the worst...the drought or the extreme heat. At this point I'm looking forward to winter!

[mommas2moody]

I found this for you....


This spicy mixture will repel many of the insects that bother your garden. Be careful! It is hot!
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 10 minutes
Here's How:

1. Add water to blender.
2. Add hot peppers and garlic.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Strain and put in empty spray bottle.
5. Add dishsoap and fill sprayer with water to the top.

Tips:

1. Spray herbs out of direct sunlight. The sun can sometimes burn the leaves of herbs when wet with the soapy mixture.
2. Wear gloves when handling this mixture directly.
3. Although mixture is not poisonous, rinsing herbs before ingesting is recommended.
4. Keep face away from blender when opening. The fumes are extremely strong.

What You Need:

• Kitchen gloves
• Spray bottle
• 1/2 cup of water
• 3-4 hot chili peppers
• 3-4 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup of dishsoap
• Enough water to fill remainder of spray bottle
• Blender
• Fine mesh strainer

[XUfan]

Do the bugs look kind of "shield-shaped"? If so, it's the same thing that has been devouring my garden as well. We started out so well...but now there are just remnants of most of our plants. Every time I go outside I see these critters. We've gardened for years, and this is the first time I've seen them.

[$Saving!]

Do the bugs look kind of "shield-shaped"? If so, it's the same thing that has been devouring my garden as well. We started out so well...but now there are just remnants of most of our plants. Every time I go outside I see these critters. We've gardened for years, and this is the first time I've seen them.

Those bugs are called stink bugs, because if you crush them, the odor is horrendous. There is a huge proliferation of them in the last couple years.

You can read about it here:

Invasive bugs making a bigger stink - The Washington Post