Many gardeners — and other creatures — love a harvest of succulent green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). If backyard pests feed on your crops’ buds, you’ll never experience your own harvest. Suspects are available in all sizes, and many aren’t selective in their damage. But a few pests do goal bean buds that are green. Control begins with detective work to identify the offender. Appropriate remedies help keep bean buds and your harvest that is coming intact.
Animal Offenders
Animals can be to blame when bean buds disappear entirely. Mammals enjoy other youthful bean parts along with tender buds. Squirrels, rabbits and deer can dine responsibly on buds. A lot of them are dangerous for food plants, although repellent sprays dissuade these diners for a few days. Pepper sprays discourage these pests, but also deflect pollinators which improve bean plants. Fencing to restrict access to a backyard — including a top, if squirrels are to blame — is your only solution that is long-term. Sprinkle a light coating of lime around the crops to capture an identifiable footprint and build your weapon.
Corn Earworms
Slow, corn earworms may be signaled by progressive bud ingestion . Despite their name, they target bean buds, leaves and blossoms. The green-, yellow- or brown-striped larvae have short, dark bristles down their backs. Search at dusk for them or using a flashlight at night. Handpick the pests or treat with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Mix 2 to 4 teaspoons of Bt focus using 1 gallon of water in a garden sprayer. Spray of the plant so feeding earworms ingest Bt. Repeat each week, if necessary. Bt also kills larvae of additional bean pests that are pod-boring. Caterpillars that are valuable are killed by it , too. Wear protective clothing and eye protection when working with other compounds or Bt.
Lygus Bugs
Lygus bugs shortly follow, when buds, blossoms and bean pods grow. The greenish-brown adults possess a yellow-green triangle on their back, and their mild green nymphs resemble aphids. They particularly enjoy green beans. Avoid lygus bug invasions by removing weedy hiding places around your backyard. The adults overwinter in plant debris or uncultivated regions near, lay eggs which hatch nymphs that feed on developing buds and fruit. Goal the nymph point to treat this pest. Spray insecticidal soap to pay all of the plant surfaces; the soap should contact the insect. Repeat each week, as needed, up to this day of harvest. Insecticidal soap also treats piercing, sucking insects that may feed on bean crops that are green.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails prefer succulent, plants that are young and do severe damage to their buds and beans. Leaves tattered is often left by them, but also feed on buds and young fruit. Most active during overcast days and at night, slugs and snails leave a slimy trail in their wake. Water the area thoroughly, then return after dark with a flashlight. Handpicking is effective, but requires diligence. An overturned melon (Cucumis melo) rind functions as slug bait and trap. Leave it immediately, then dispose of this rind in the daytime. Commercial slug baits are accessible, but may be detrimental to household pets. Keep your garden free of weeds, debris and other moist hiding places.