how to keep bugs off pepper plants

How do I keep bugs from eating my bell peppers?

Some companion plants can help repel insects that might otherwise find your pepper plants. Strong-scented plants, such as basil and rosemary, can help repel aphids. Planting dill, basil and marigolds near your peppers can help protect them from tomato hornworms.

What is eating holes in my pepper plant leaves?

As mentioned above, if you have holes in your foliage, the most likely suspects are corn borers, cutworms, flea beetles, or aphids. ... Other pests and insects that attack pepper plant leaves and cause holes in them include beetles, leafcutters, tomato hornworms, beet armyworms, moth, butterfly larvae, slugs, and snails.

What insect is eating my pepper plants?

Pepper Weevils.

Pepper weevils are somewhat small insects with a hard body. They have a long proboscis that they utilize to eat pepper plant leaves and other tissues. Both their larvae and adult versions eat pepper plant leaves and pods. The larvae cause the most damage to pepper plant fruits.

What is eating my basil and pepper plants?

The most frequent assaulters of your precious basil plant leaves are Japanese beetles, slugs and aphids.

Are aphids bad for pepper plants?

In extreme cases, when an infestation is not treated, aphids can kill the pepper plant. To treat, spray the tops and undersides of the pepper leaves with a ready-to-use insecticidal soap.

What can I spray on pepper plants for bugs?

Make a solution of 2 tablespoons red pepper, 6 drops of dish soap and 1 gallon of water, and spray your plants. Black pepper, chili pepper, dill, ginger and paprika also work because they contain capsaicin, which repels spider mites and other insects.

How do you make pepper plants grow faster?

Make sure to start your seeds early, keep them warm, and use season extenders or indoor lights to help them grow faster until the warm weather comes to stay. Make sure to grow them in full sun, too, as peppers need lots of sun to grow big and strong.

How often should I water pepper plants?

We recommend watering after the soil has dried somewhat. During the longest hottest days of summer, that may be every day. During cooler weather and during spring and fall you may only need to water them every 2-3 days.

What is eating my leaves in my garden?

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. ... Slugs will also eat ripening fruit touching the ground.

Will squirrels eat pepper plants?

Often, squirrels will steal ripening fruits and vegetables to snack on, especially soft and juicy produce such as squash, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons. Frustratingly, they often don't even eat the entire thing!

What animal is eating my green bean plants?

Squirrels, chipmunks and voles -- all of which are rodents -- attack bean plants from all angles. Squirrels and chipmunks often take bites out of leaves and/or maturing beans.

What can I spray on my basil to keep bugs away?

Spray basil plants thoroughly with insecticidal soap, neem oil or azadirachtin-containing insecticide once a week in the early evening until the Japanese beetles are gone. Concentrate the spray wherever the largest concentration of beetles is located.

Will vinegar kill basil?

Vinegar is more typically used as an herbicide, helping to kill pesky weeds, and it can damage the leaves of your basil plant.

What insects does basil attract?

List of pest-repelling plants

Plant	Pests
artemisias	repels insects, including ants, cabbage looper, cabbage maggot, carrot fly, codling moth, flea beetles, whiteflies, the Cabbage White, and the Small White, as well as mice
basil	repels flies, including mosquitoes the carrot fly, asparagus beetles and whiteflies

What kills aphids on pepper plants?

One variation of this soap-water mix includes cayenne pepper: Stir together 1 quart water, 1 tsp liquid dish soap, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Do not dilute before spraying on plants. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a non-toxic, organic material that will kill aphids.

Are coffee grounds good for pepper plants?

Peppers like nitrogen and coffee grounds are full of it. You can mix the grounds into the soil or spread them on top. ... Providing enough nitrogen ensures adequate leaf growth, and that protects the peppers from sun scald. Pepper plants branch out like trees.

What plants repel aphids?

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.

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 is the best natural pesticide?

We list down some of our favourite, all-natural, inexpensive, organic methods for making pesticides for your kitchen garden.

Neem Leaf. Neem has long been used for its medicinal and culinary properties. ...
Salt Spray. ...
Onion And Garlic Spray. ...
Eucalyptus Oil. ...
Chrysanthemum Flower Tea.

What kills pepper plants?

Over Watering Your Pepper Plants

Over watering is the most common reason that pepper plants die off. Many well-intentioned gardeners who are growing peppers for the first time will over water. In effect, they are “killing the pepper plant with kindness”. There is more to watering than just frequency.