wizardofzog
planet zog
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 8:11 am Post subject: Something is eating my rhubarb leaves!! |
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Something is eating my rhubarb leaves. On first inspection it looked liked caterpillar damage, but after a really good search...no caterpillars to be seen. I asked a neighbour and he suggested it may be a beetle, so i searched online and found that it could very well be earwigs.....brrrrrr...hate earwigs! I have had two of the blighters inside my ear in my lifetime, not a nice experience!
Anyhow,I have seen a few in my gerden, does anyone have an organic solution because I do not use any chemicals whatsoever in 'planet zog'.
Please help!!! I love rhubarb! x 
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eileen
 Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18013
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 10:13 am Post subject: |
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Strangely enough I was checking on my rhubarb just yesterday and noticed that one of the plants had been munched on. The older, tougher plant is doing really well with little, or no, damage. However, the young, tender one is being ripped to threads.  I put it down to slug or snail damage. I simply pick them off and send them, via my size eight shoes, to mollusc heaven.  I'm an organic gardener too and would never use slug pellets as they not only poison the slugs and snails but any creature that eats them too.
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Droopy
Regular Plants Contributor
Western Norway
Posts: 9272
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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I'm like Eileen most of the time. I squash things. I don't mind the earwigs eating the rhubarb leaves since we only compost those, but I really dislike the lily beetles and other beetles munching on lilies and rhododendrons. I won't start on the slugs.
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dooley
Texas
Posts: 5204
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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For earwigs, mix molasses, water and veg. oil. Put it in shallow lids around the rhubarb. You generally have to change it every day. I always kept a jar mixed and handy. I haven't seen many here in Texas. dooley
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wizardofzog
planet zog
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks everyone, will definitely be trying the molasses, oil and water.
After some extensive searching ......i also learned that neem oil diluted is a very good spray for pests but does not harm good bugs or humans and because it does not stay on the leaves for that long it is nice and organic and safe. So I may try a mix of neem, oil and water also.
I keep a bottle of neem in my cosmetics drawer so will try over the weekend and post results.
Love from zog.xxx 
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