greenfarmer2high
Member
i just discovered i might have some bugs in my soil how can i get rid of them? is there any organtic bug killer i can use...please help ++++reps if it works
Help Me Get Rid of Bugs
- Thread starter greenfarmer2high
- Start date
there are organic and non organic pesticides out there. if the bugs are breeding in your soil (laying eggs) i'd use some sort of pesticide to ensure the problem will be under control. If you are just seeing them there, layer the top of your soil with rocks or sand. Finely crushed glass also works well because it slices the bugs open as they try to live on the soil.
Nullis
Moderator
Some bugs are really good, you know. Micro-arthropods especially can be, such as Hypoaspis mites which predate on the insects that can actually cause a problem thereby protecting the plant. Micro-arthropods are less than a couple millimeters large but can be seen with the naked eye. They are also good because they shred organic matter, opening it up to bacterial and fungal decay, and also help aerate the soil as they do this.
If you want to grow organically, you'll have to ditch your irrational fear of bugs. Of course, there are some bad bugs out there. But you'll have to identify any insect as best you can before deciding it is causing a problem because it actually might be preventing a real problem.
If you want to grow organically, you'll have to ditch your irrational fear of bugs. Of course, there are some bad bugs out there. But you'll have to identify any insect as best you can before deciding it is causing a problem because it actually might be preventing a real problem.
Kingrow1
Well-Known Member
Yer most soil bugs you'll see will be good bugs in store bought soil, if they are fast moving they are probably harmless little springtails, very small, white and fast moving, swim in your runoff water and produce good source of food for plants. Honestly you won't kill all the bugs in your soil without affecting your plants health, seriously dont worry bout springtails as you actually would want them in your soil, bad to get rid of them.
sparkafire
Well-Known Member
WHAT???? Did you just say finely crushed glass??? I am speechless...... I really don't know how to respond to that. Do I ask for clarification, where you learned such a technique or request the link to where it came from? At this point I am thinking any one of those would suffice at this moment. This is such a classic I am putting that line in my signature.
Splendid808
Member
Hehe, Sparkafire, some of your replies make me laugh. I was as surprised as you about the glass tip so I checked Google and although there was hardly any info on on it I did find the below link, still sounds bizzare though.
It says....
''Crushed Glass – This type of mulch is not nearly as dangerous as it may sound. Crushed glass has become more popular as container gardeners discover their colors and high aesthetic value. Crushed glass offers superlative drainage and also helps to keep away pesky insects and bugs, as well as offering a more modern look.''
http://hubpages.com/hub/Watering-Your-Container-Plants
It says....
''Crushed Glass – This type of mulch is not nearly as dangerous as it may sound. Crushed glass has become more popular as container gardeners discover their colors and high aesthetic value. Crushed glass offers superlative drainage and also helps to keep away pesky insects and bugs, as well as offering a more modern look.''
http://hubpages.com/hub/Watering-Your-Container-Plants
Kingrow1
Well-Known Member
There is some product that cuts tiny bugs but i think it is diatomeaceous earth and not cut glass. Hey sparkfire if you havent heard of this stuff you should google it yourself as i am not posting a link!! Think that this is what dan2581 is on about! It cuts bugs and ants etc etc up pretty good and eventually kills them, yes this stuff will work great in container pots if you think you have bug problems but be carefull with the stuff i think. Also used to remove tapeworm from inside you! Yuck!!
canecorso505
Member
Instead of glass try go gnats does the same thing you claim your crushed glass to do without the danger
theweedmanyo
Member
had to be high to write that LOL
sparkafire
Well-Known Member
Well thanks, I will be here all week make sure to tip the waiters and waitresses well.
I guess this has merit if you are looking for a "modern crushed glass look" I thought we were killing bugs not decorating our pots to help keep away bugs? And you said it HARDLY ANY INFO ON IT.... Anyway he said finely crushed glass and even went as far as explaining what it did to the bugs all scientific and everything. Yep I did the google ( thanks for the help big guy )and learned all about diatomeaceous and it does have some unique bug repellant properties I would like to hear from someone that has used it to verify the legitimacy of it. I find it would be a hard stretch to go from a mined mineral to ground up glass, anyway he works at hydroponic store so he knows what he is talking about. And I will let you deal with your stomach problems on another forum.
Danger? my middle name is danger that's why crushed glass is so appealing.
Sorry man, Stick around Dan the Hydrostore man will have more funny and useless remedies to spew to unsuspecting high school kids soon enough.
No man he just works at a hydroponic store so he knows how to grow dank.
Kingrow1
Well-Known Member
Well that diatomeaceous earth is a very fine powder i think, so fine that when bugs and insects walk over it or brush against it they get lots and lots of tiny tiny cuts that never heal because they are so fine and the end result is they bleed to death or their insides ooze out the cut killing them reasonably quickly, is used to repel ants on the grow room floor and on soil. I have never used it but have seen at a lot of grows both commercial and illegal spreading it around. Its one of those tricks of the trade and believe it to be harmless to humans as we have different skin to bugs etc etc but i still would never use it, sounds nasty. Would be good to hear from someone who dose use it, i get a lot of small carpet beetles or somthing that looks similar and the munch the leaves of my weed now and again so would be good as these bugs have wings and resemble very small ladybirds but are too damn lazy to fly, even when plucked of the leaf. There not a problem but my local garden nurseries sell it and could easily get hold of it, i'll see what others say on it first before paying for a bag.
sparkafire
Well-Known Member
Diatomeaceous Earth you have peaked my interest. Anyone use this stuff?
Los Muertos
Active Member
I've used it before. Works, but only if kept completely dry. Any amount of moisture ruins it.
It's a great product for killing slugs and such outdoors, but not worth the trouble for indoor grows imo.
It's a great product for killing slugs and such outdoors, but not worth the trouble for indoor grows imo.
Nullis
Moderator
DE does work; it's a mechanical killer so there isn't any chance an insect can become immune to it. DE is essentially the fossilized remains of diatoms, microscopic sea dwelling organisms that have lived in the oceans for millions of years probably. Their bodies are comprised of silica and other minerals, but more importantly they have these razor sharp surfaces which are a terrible thing to come into contact with if you're an insect. DE has uses in various industries; pool filters utilize a form of expanded DE which isn't suitable for use as a pesticide. You would want to use garden or preferably food grade DE.
Stuff has to be dry in order to work and from personal experience putting a layer of it on top of your soil is a bad idea, anyways (it will get very messy, impeding air exchange). What it is good for is creating a 'bug-barrier' around your grow room. It can be used for fungus gnats also but should be used with other stuff. You can sprinkle the DE around the floor, work it into the carpet, dust it into cracks and crevices, etc. Any insect that comes into contact with it will be pierced and will dehydrate within 48 hours.
Oh yah, DE is also a good source of certain minerals (silicon, copper) and it can be used in soil mixes for that purpose.
Stuff has to be dry in order to work and from personal experience putting a layer of it on top of your soil is a bad idea, anyways (it will get very messy, impeding air exchange). What it is good for is creating a 'bug-barrier' around your grow room. It can be used for fungus gnats also but should be used with other stuff. You can sprinkle the DE around the floor, work it into the carpet, dust it into cracks and crevices, etc. Any insect that comes into contact with it will be pierced and will dehydrate within 48 hours.
Oh yah, DE is also a good source of certain minerals (silicon, copper) and it can be used in soil mixes for that purpose.
CubanRasta
Member
Dude if you want a non-toxic solution to your pest i've found a product that has worked ever time for me. I think it's called Tanlin, but i know it works by cutting the pests in your medium with thediatomeaceous earth and then has a bacteria added to it that completely eradicates those MFers, and it's all natural.