Help! I have Grape Leaf Skeletonizers and black flying beatles on my tomatoes!

[Susan]

I read here that neem oil works for the skeletonizers but I don't know where to find it in S. Tempe. I have 1/4 inch flying black beatles that swarm my tomatoes when they start turning ripe and am wondering if this is why the tomatoes get mushy? I also read that the skeletonizers are poisonous and will leave you with painful welts if they come in contact with your skin....can I feed them to my chickens?

[Dana]

I believe you can get neem oil at the Sunflower Markets.

[Michael and Lylah Ledner]

Dana....pray tell...do tell...what is neem oil? and how does one use it? thanks!

[Dana]

I can't really tell you....I heard of it from either Kevin Trudeau or Dr. Andrew Weil....but I hear it is really good for a whole lot of different things. I purchased some Neem Shampoo at Sunflower that we use on our dogs...cuz I hate the chemical shampoos they offer us to use on our pets....I use it on myself sometimes too just cuz it is good for me...but I have a favorite I use most of the time.

Google it.....I'm sure you will be surprised what you find out.

[Leann Christian]

It is located next to the tea tree oil in Sprouts (essential oil section on your immediate left when you enter the store). I used a teaspoon of it in a quart of water with about 15 drops of dish soap and it seemed to discourage skelotonizers for a while, but now they are back. I suppose you have to keep reapplying :-(
Not sure about the beetles or if the skeletonizers are safe for your chickens.
Good luck to you, at the least it will slow them down a bit.

[Susan]

Does anyone have another suggestion for skeletonizors? I've also read here that B.T. works. There is a liquid or powder form. I read a write up on it and it seems to be an ok organic pesiticide that is micro organism based. Thank you for the kind thoughts. Being a 1st year gardener, I can't believe how stressful pests are. I suppose I never thought about it before because the yard had balance. Now, I've introduced FOOD and it will take a while to adjust the good with the evil-doer pests, figure out my watering schedule, figure out what grows where, get my kids to understand veggies come from dirt and it is ok, get my dogs to stop eating the plants as they garden with me, plan, build an effective shade cover for the garden and the coop. Do all this while we endure the blistering heat... The rewards are slim this year but the effort has taken us on a great family journey and we've met so many wonderful people so far..any help on the evil bugs is appreciated!

[Michele]

Bt is considered an organic method of control for skeletonizers but I have never used it. I just feed the affected leaves to my tortoise and chickens. The larvae have stinging hairs or spines that cause the welts - doesn't seem to bother my animals.

[Susan]

Thank you Michelle, I did feed them to my chickens who thoroughly enjoyed them!

[Michele]

It's kind of fun to watch the chickens fight over garden pests isn't it!

[Susan]

Like eating chocolate...sinful =0)

And a nice little treat on such a hot day...

[Janine]

We sell neem oil on our site. www.bluesagenaturals.com/healthstore.php at the very bottom of the page. It kills them for us. 1 T neem oil in 32 oz spray bottle, 7 drops liquid soap, fill gently with water, shake, go spray. undersides and topsides of leaves. it will also kill aphids.

[Susan]

Thanks Janine!