I applaud your willingness to look for solutions other than pesticides. Sometimes a non-pesticide solution works.

Besides insecticides, there is nothing you can do about Japanese beetles except hand-picking them. Drop them in a bucket of soapy water. If you have a severe infestation of Japanese beetles, insecticides won't help much either, since they will keep on coming from your neighbors' yards.

For soft-bodied insects, try spraying soapy water on them. For aphids, sprinkle flour on them (not kidding!). It will suffocate them. Wait about an hour, then wash off the flour and dead aphids. For spider mites, spray plants with plain water, including the undersides of the leaves. (They like dry conditions.)

These methods may or may not be very effective, depending on the type of insect problem you have. But just because a few leaves get nibbled doesn't mean you need to do anything about it. As long as the damage isn't too severe, you may be able to just ignore the problem. If the insects get out of control, don't feel bad about bringing out the pesticides. Sometimes it's the only thing that will stop the damage. Just use it sparingly and thoughtfully.

Good luck!

Thanks, Twinkle, for your encouragement and advice. As I'm sure you know, I've never heard of using flour to get rid of aphids. Unfortunately, for the past two years, we have had a fairly large Japanese Beatle problem. They go through my crepe myrtle, as well as all my hydrangea. I've had to use the Seven I mentioned in my original post. I hate to do that, but picking them off by hand would pretty much be counterproductive since there are so many.

I really am concerned about the pollinators in my vegetable garden, so I am planning on trying other alternatives. I know the pollinators work tirelessly in our flower gardens, as well, but oddly, I don't have much of a problem with bugs/beatles/whatever in them...just my crepe myrtles, hydrangea, and veggies.

Thanks, again!
Beverly

There's a product called Surround on Garden's Alive that is clay based. you spray it on the foliage, fruit, etc., and supposedly the insect doesn't like to chew through the clay to get to the leaf. I haven't tried it, but if it works, it sounds great. I'm not sure it's practical for a big yard, tho. You have to reapply after it rains. I'll let you know if I try it.
Pam

There are also other methods to garden with "critters". For example, always make sure you plant enough. Plant some for you, some for the bugs. If you are not using insecticides, bugs are inevetable. I also applaud you for not using them!

You can also take a "sample" of the bug or leaf to your local extension office. They should be able to tell you what is doing damage. Then you can look up to see what damages that bug! What bugs or birds eat that particular bug. Is it suseptible to any kind of nematoide? (my spelling is horrid today, sorry!!).

It takes some time, but you can learn to attract the good bugs that eat the bad bugs. I have a nice balance in the garden now after not using pesticides for many years and increasing the diversity of the garden.

GGG

I recently found a colony of mealy bugs on my potted plants. I don't know who told me, but the old method of rubbing alcohol and tipping each bug is greatly eased by diluting the alcohol with water and just spraying. I put about 1 tbs in about 1 cup of water.

My praying mantis egg case hatched yesterday. it won't solve my bug problems, but it can't hurt.

Hi Beverly
Seven is highly toxic to bee. when use seven and don't want to harm bee, apply seven late aftrer noon /erly eveing. Before apply pestcide,find out what is/are eating your plants first, then pick right pestcide. Some pestcide are not killing pest, have some side affect... spoting on leaf , fern. hibiscus, indoor plant offten get side affect of pestcide. Know your plants, pest and pestcide before appling pestcide.
Anything kill pest are called pestcide. Pestcide don't have to come from pestcide manufacture.
Household chemical or even medicine are also pestcide too.

yama