Out in the Garden

How to get rid of Blister Beetles Organically

I do not believe in using chemical pesticides to rid garden pests. So how do we as organic gardeners get rid of pest insects? There are many ways, but that is not the topic of this post. This post is about my garden's arch enemy: The Blister Beetle!

The blister beetle is usually a problem in alfalfa hay fields, but for some reason, they were especially attracted to my heirloom tomatoes last year!

Perhaps one of the drawbacks to growing heirloom tomatoes is that they are less resistant to disease and to pest insects.

Blister Beetles get their name from the fact that they contain a toxin called cantharidin that will make your skin break out in blisters if you come in contact with it. They don't spread their toxin by biting you. Usually you would need to touch a crushed beetle to break out, but some people can have an allergic reaction just from touching one of the live beetles. They crawled over my hand while I was taking the above pictures and I was fine. The blister beetles in my garden did eat a lot of tomato foliage, but the most disgusting part about them was that they left huge droppings behind as well!

Enough already! They disgust me so!

Carrots Love Tomatoes, by Louise Riotte is the foremost authority on companion planting ideas. Riotte writes in the book that horseradish will keep blister beetles away. Using horseradish root in water as a spray will deter many insects. She goes in to what deters animal pests as well. I am following her advice and growing morning glories on my fence to keep deer away and cucumbers to keep raccoons away. Radishes next to those cucumbers will keep the striped cucumber beetle at bay.

This is a great book because in addition to advice on what to grow to keep pests away, it lists what vegetables and herbs will enhance the growth of others if grown at close proximity. The title tells of one; carrots love tomatoes.

I am planning where to place each vegetable in my garden this year based on these companion planting recommendations, which is number two on my to do list.

So there you have it, number two and three on my list. I hope to be able to write about most of the items on that list.

Thank you for reading this whole post. I apologize for the disgusting beginning. Now you know why I'm determined to be ready for the blister beetles this year!

Untitled Comment

01:42, Wednesday, February 28, 2007 .. Posted by Linda

Hi, we had blister beetles bad last year too. I'm going to check out this book, looks like a good one to have. My DH and I organic garden. I belong to a big group of organic gardeners, you can get your Q&A quickly along with giving good advice for those that need help on their homesteads. I have a link on my blogs side bar, the founder is a wealth of information. You might like to check the site out, Organichomesteadgardening. Also I'm adding you to my friends list so I can come back for a visit. I like garden talk and new ideas. thanks again for this info. Blessings to you. linda

Organic Gardening is Wonderful

10:21, Friday, March 2, 2007 .. Posted by naturehouse

Thanks Linda for the tip on the homesteading organic gardening website. I will check that out. It is wonderful to learn more about organic gardening from others. We can never stop learning new things that help in the garden! I will add you to my friends list as well.

Also, check back on my "garden to do list" from time to time because some of my garden writing will not appear in this blog, but on my family's blog, LittleHouse.

Happy organic gardening, and God bless!