In need of bug cover suggestions

graceypt 7/11/2010, 11:29 pm

Hi everyone,

I wanted to get you guys' opinions/suggestions of what is the best material to get to cover my SFG garden to protect it from bugs yet let the sun in BUT not bake my plants especially from the after noon heat.
I am just getting frustrated from the invisible bugs that keep eating my wonderful plants! I don't know what instecticide to use since everytime I check I don't see any specific bugs/beetles, etc. I am already planning to buy Bt tomorrow but I wanted a row cover for added protection.
So far I have read using 4-6 mil white plastic or tulle but it was mostly for frost protection.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

Grace
Glendale, CA Zone 9a or b

chocolatepop 7/12/2010, 12:24 am

I use tulle Smile

Chopper 7/12/2010, 2:13 am

I like cheesecloth - the white helps keep it cool. It depends how big an area you need to cover though. I just happened to have that on hand.

graceypt 7/12/2010, 4:47 pm

I have a TT 2 x 4 and (2) 4x4 on the ground. I already cover them with PVC frame and bird netting but I am looking for some other material that would cover even just specific boxes to fight bugs eating my young leaves but I am scared of the heat just frying my plants if I forget to take them off before I go off to work.

Mikesgardn 7/13/2010, 10:35 am

I've been experimenting this year with shade cloth. It can be used to reduce the heat as well as keep out bugs larger than 1/4" or so. Air can easily pass thru, so heat doesn't build up. I bought it on-line at a place called Gempler's for about 15 cents per square foot.

graceypt 7/13/2010, 12:37 pm

Thank you! I think That shade cloth is a great idea.

MeyerLemon 8/2/2010, 1:35 am

Take a leaf (in a plastic baggie) to your local nursery. They should be able to ID the pest from the damage it is doing.

I spray neem oil or Captain Jack's Deadbug, and lay down Sluggo. That pretty much takes care of any pest that could possibly exist in So Cal!

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