Bugs That Eat Calendula - Does Calendula Attract Pests To The Garden

Calendula tends to be a pest magnet. This may sound like a bad thing, but look at it this way: If you grow calendula as a “trap crop,” the flowers will draw aphids, thrips, whiteflies, and other harmful pests away from more susceptible plants, like roses or vegetable plants.

How do you protect marigolds from pests?

To save your marigolds, you must attack their garden enemies.

Pick off any bugs you see. ...
Place sticky traps around your marigolds. ...
Spray the marigolds with an insecticidal soap, which eliminates garden insects without harming the plants. ...
Place plants that will deter the bugs around your marigolds.

What garden pests do marigolds repel?

In addition to helping control nematodes, marigold flowers attract beneficial insects that not only pollinate, but also help control bad bugs. Beneficial insects attracted to marigolds include: hover flies, lady bugs and parasitic wasps.

How do I keep bugs out of my flower garden?

Insects Bugging Your Plants? Try These 10 Natural Insecticides

Soapy water. Mix 5 tablespoons of dish soap with 4 cups of water in a bottle and spray plants with the solution. ...
Neem oil spray. ...
Pyrethrum spray. ...
Beer. ...
Garlic. ...
Pepper spray. ...
Herbal water spray. ...
Alcohol spray.

What bug eats marigolds?

While marigolds are typically pest-free and not bothered by most insects, occasional problems may arise with a few common garden pests.

Aphids. ...
Earwigs. ...
Caterpillars. ...
Leafminers. ...
Snails and Slugs. ...
Spider Mites. ...
Thrips. ...
Whiteflies.

What is eating my marigolds at night?

Slugs. Slugs eat large holes in mature marigold leaves and will completely devour young plants. You won't commonly see slugs feeding on your marigolds because slugs are nocturnal, but you may see the slime trails they leave behind. Wait until after dark and, with a flashlight, pick off the slugs.

Where do marigolds grow for pest control?

Planting Marigolds for Pest Control

For example, plant marigolds around the perimeter of the garden, in rows between rows of vegetables, or in groupings. Be sure the marigolds are scented, however, as many newer, hybrid varieties don't have as much of the familiar marigold aroma.

What can I plant with peppers to keep bugs off?

Carrots, cucumbers, radishes, squash, and members of the Allium family all do well when grown in close proximity to peppers. Eggplant, a member of the nightshade family along with peppers, thrives alongside peppers. Spinach, lettuce and chard are suitable pepper companions.

What flowers keep bugs away from vegetables?

11 Garden Plants to Help Keep Bugs Away!

Marigolds. The scent of a marigold will deter plant lice, mosquitoes, and even rabbits. ...
Chrysanthemums. This might be the best plant to deter bugs. ...
Mint. Mint plants can repel spiders, ants, and mosquitoes. ...
Basil. Repel mosquitoes and houseflies with this wonderful herb. ...
Citronella grass. ...
Lavender. ...
Chives. ...
Petunias.

Do marigolds keep bugs away from tomato plants?

In the long lore of gardeners, the marigold is thought to do something to help tomatoes avoid pests. New research finds that it isn't just lore. ... In a couple of greenhouse trials, they discovered that pots of marigolds do in fact deter whiteflies, small insects that are usually found on the underside of plant leaves.

How do you kill bugs in soil?

If infestation persists, dry the top layer of soil. Then make a solution of 1 part “3% hydrogen peroxide” and 4 parts “Water”, let it rest for 30 minutes. Water your plants with it. Hydrogen peroxide solution will kill any Gnat larva or eggs in the soil.

Does vinegar kill bugs on plants?

White vinegar blasts bugs on plants as an ingredient in a homemade soap spray. Mix 3 cups water and 1 cup vinegar in a spray bottle and add 1 teaspoon of dish soap. Spray it on plants, including trees and shrubs, to get rid of pests. Direct the spray at the underside of the leaves to make contact with whitefly eggs.

What to spray on flowers for bugs?

Oil Spray. An effective insecticidal spray can be made with two very simple ingredients: soap and oil. Oil spray works by coating enclosing and smothering soft-body insects, such as aphids and mites. Mix a cup of vegetable oil with a quarter cup of liquid soap and shake it well.

Does marigolds keep bugs away?

Marigolds – The marigold is probably the most well-known plant for repelling insects. French marigolds repel whiteflies and kill bad nematodes. ... If you choose marigolds for your garden they must be scented to work as a repellant. And while this plant drives away many bad bugs, it also attracts spider mites and snails.

Do marigolds keep slugs away?

Slugs love to eat marigolds. Plant mari- golds along your garden's border and hand pick slugs and dispose of them in late evening. Iron phosphate granules (e.g., Sluggo, WorryFree, and Escar-Go). ... After eating them, slugs stop feeding, dry out, and die within 3 to 6 days.

What's killing my marigolds?

Several species of caterpillars, including tobacco budworm, orange tortrix, cabbage looper, beet armyworm and sunflower moth, are attracted to marigolds and will chew holes in the foliage and blossoms of the plant. The damage can eventually stunt the plant's growth or kill it entirely.

How do I stop slugs eating my plants?

Find out how to get rid of slugs and protect your plants from being eaten.

Get plants on side. ...
Remove shelter & encourage beneficial wildlife. ...
Make a beer trap. ...
Create a prickly barrier. ...
Create a slippery barrier. ...
Lay down copper tape. ...
Place a lure. ...
Apply nematodes to soil.

What is eating my plant leaves at night?

Slugs and snails like areas that are moist and shady and eat irregular-shaped holes in the leaf (but not along the edges). To see of snails and slugs are your plant-eating culprits, come out at night with a flashlight and look under leaves. ... Cucumber beetles will leave tiny transparent circles on plant leaves.

What is eating my calendula?

If bugs that eat calendula, such as aphids, whiteflies, and thrips, are out of control and sucking the life out of your calendula plants, insecticidal soap spray will keep them in check, although you may have to apply the soap repeatedly to stay ahead of the pests. ... Slugs also feed on calendula plants.

What should not be planted with tomatoes?

Plants that should not share space with tomatoes include the Brassicas, such as broccoli and cabbage. Corn is another no-no, and tends to attract tomato fruit worm and/or corn ear worm. Kohlrabi thwarts the growth of tomatoes and planting tomatoes and potatoes increases the chance of potato blight disease.

What herbs keep bugs away?

What Type of Herbs Keep Insects Away?

1: Garlic. Garlic is a popular companion plant because it takes up little space and can grow in most conditions. ...
2: Basil. ...
3: Mint. ...
4: Sage. ...
5: Lemongrass.

What plants do aphids hate?

Marigolds, known for being able to drive away all kinds of pests, have a scent that keeps aphids far away. Catnip, known for attracting cats, also has a way of repelling most other pests, aphids included. Some other fragrant herbs, such as fennel, dill, and cilantro are also known to deter aphids.