Saw Fly larvae

I try not to use pesticides on my plants but for the past 3yrs. my hibiscus have been de-foliated by these darn little cats before I can get a blooming plants to farmers market. We haven't had much winter so far and I'm already finding some of the lil beggers in my un-heated greenhouse. I've tried hand picking but once they get going it's a heck of a job to keep up with. Any suggestion?

Try two teaspoon of backing soda + two teaspoons of olive oil + two teaspoon of regular dish-washing soap ( the kind that is transparent ) in a gallon of water and spray all over the plants, they use it as a natural pesticide ( that wont hurt the plant nor us ) on some kinds of insect down here with pretty good results. the combination of all three kitchen product in water ten to suffocate the insects, it gets into there respiratory system and when the water evaporates whats left is a kind of a sticky goo of oil, soap and backing soda. should be done early in the morning or late evening. After a day or so wash down the entire plant and repeat if necessary. if you what, try on one or two plants and see if it works.

Wilfred

you can also try neem oil, they say it changes the way plants taste to insects to something the insect don't like and it made from the leaf of a tree in India if I'm not wrong. It don't thing it hurt humans ether, the only thing I don't like is its scent.

Wilfred

Wilfred,
Thanks so much. I'll try the home remedy until I can find some Neem.

bigred,
let me know if it works for you.

Wilfred

Will do

Hi bigred, any luck with the home remedy.

Wilfred

Hibiscus has leafed out yet.I'll let you know as soon as they do and the beggers show up to chew on them.