Insect deterrent strategies?

[DTOM420]

I’ve found lots of threads on identifying bugs, treating certain infestations and deterring slugs but not much on preventative strategies/methods to deter crawling and flying insects. In particular: ants (ALL sorts), grasshoppers, aphids, gnats, whiteflies, thrips, army worms, cut worms and leaf miners. What do y’all use to DETER these nasty critters?

I’m using some Amdro Ant Bait to create perimeters around my plants plus using DE (less effective than I thought) and cinnamon (VERY effective) to deter ants. So far, so good. I also have some much called Terma-Rid that has a termite poison and deterrent that has worked incredibly well in my flower garden - I have seen very few bugs in there. I’m all about organic but I do NOT want my hard work ruined by bugs! Lol! I read somewhere on the WWW that fine sand deters ants and some other insects. Any truth to that? Is a regimen of Neem oil, orange oil, Spinosad and BT effective to prevent problems? I’m trying to learn here and get out ahead of some common pest problems. All my deer are going to be a huge challenge but I’ve got lots of fencing materials and dogs to help; and deer season is only 1.5 months away!

 

[BII]

If you are putting fencing around plants, why not install netting/screens, which should keep out most larger size insects.

 

[Yeatster]

Baby powder works for ants. At least in my house. Never thought of them being pests, specifically. I would think, if they are coming, they are hauling off the true pests. Idk though. Just dropping my 2 cents. Tag me when there's good info.

 

[DTOM420]

Baby powder works for ants. At least in my house. Never thought of them being pests, specifically. I would think, if they are coming, they are hauling off the true pests. Idk though. Just dropping my 2 cents. Tag me when there's good info.

We have cut ants and harvest ants that eat leaves. Actually, they use the leaves to grow the mold they eat. We also have these sugar ants that can get down into the root systems and cause issues there. I read somewhere that aphid infestations can come with ants. I’ll try the baby powder. The cinnamon is actually working really well - it drove out the little sugar ants that were all over one of my pots. It’s so hot and dry here that the moisture in my plants is a major attractant.

 

[jingo]

I put mosquito bits on top of my soil underneath a layer of clay Pebbles that have been thoroughly washed. Mainly I'm trying to keep the root aphids out, but I noticed the sweet ants don't bother my pots either. They may just have better stuff around that I have tons of sweet ants in my yard.

Then I spray every 3 days with SM 90 and just watch for anything that looks like it needs more significant treatment. I generally grow indoors so I don't keep a lot of pest treatment stuff around.

 

[DTOM420]

I put mosquito bits on top of my soil underneath a layer of clay Pebbles that have been thoroughly washed. Mainly I'm trying to keep the root aphids out, but I noticed the sweet ants don't bother my pots either. They may just have better stuff around that I have tons of sweet ants in my yard.

Then I spray every 3 days with SM 90 and just watch for anything that looks like it needs more significant treatment. I generally grow indoors so I don't keep a lot of pest treatment stuff around.

What are mosquito bits?

Isn’t SM90 a liquid fertilizer? Or is there some other product by that same name?

 

[jingo]

What are mosquito bits?

Isn’t SM90 a liquid fertilizer? Or is there some other product by that same name?

Mosquito bits are just BT, in a form that's easy to sprinkle in your soil or on your soil. I've actually seen soil pre-packaged with mosquito bits in it. The clay Pebbles make a barrier that helps keep other bugs out.

SM 90 is a liquid it's mostly coriander oil although it has some other chemicals I suppose that help open up the plants stomata to other nutrients. In very high strength it's an insecticide originally labeled as spider mite 90. Lower strengths it's a good surfactant I use kind of an in between strength. About 30 mil per liter I spray every 3 days and I figure it keeps me from getting any eggs deposited under the leaves. Maybe it makes the leaves a little less tasty to the bugs. I also put it in the nutrient water every once in awhile cuz it helps disperse the nutrients throughout the roots.

 

[DTOM420]

Great tips! Thanks so much!

 

[G.Leave]

Consider beneficial insects? Not cheap but they are know to be pretty effective. Lacewings, ladybugs, mantis

I find something often overlooked is location. Wind is a growers ally against insects. Locations away from long grass fields are generally better than once located close.

 

[DTOM420]

Consider beneficial insects? Not cheap but they are know to be pretty effective. Lacewings, ladybugs, mantis

I find something often overlooked is location. Wind is a growers ally against insects. Locations away from long grass fields are generally better than once located close.

Yessir, I will definitely be employing some beneficial nematodes, ladybugs and possibly some mantis. I know an organic gardening place that’s only a few hours away and they’ll be aware of what insects will work in this area. There are definitely no long grass fields near me but still, plenty of bugs in this rough country.

I read some mention of sand beingnosed around the base of plants as some sort of preventative measure. Have you ever heard that? Not sure what that’d do.