Around here the tobacco hornworms are the really bad ones. They can eat most of a tomato plant really quick. I've gotten adept at spotting them despite their camaflouge. See the frass and look up! They also glow under a blacklight. I either pick them off or if the aphids are bad they get the first round of insecticidal soap, maybe neem oil solution later.
They suck. If they start getting really bad you can spray your plants with insecticidal soap twice a week. Have to give it 3 days before consuming the fruit. Application also depends on temperature and how bright it is. The soap will form a lense and burn the leaves. Evenings are best and when less than 85°F.
I go for the soap first since it's a lot cheaper than the neem oil and if that doesn't work then the soap and neem oil emulsion.
I've tried that, but the soap, as you say, forms a lense; I sprayed it on my chile plants and all the leaves turned brown
Try some neem oil. I get a 1 qt. spray bottle and put 3 droppers full of neem oil, 6 drops of soap, and the rest water. You only want to mix up what you can use since the neem oil will break down.I've tried that, but the soap, as you say, forms a lense; I sprayed it on my chile plants and all the leaves turned brown
I use an industrial insecticide called malathion. It's probably more damaging than a nuclear fallout, but it keeps the bugs at bay.
It's still registered in the US, so it's not like it's been banned or anything.
DDT and Malathion are different beasts
Yes, the point was riding in a cloud of poison... 🤔DDT and Malathion are different beasts
Oops, sorry