Get Rid of Lubbers Without Pesticides
Baby Eastern Lubber
Lubber Invasion- Again
Picture this: a garden bursting with vibrant, chemical-free blooms and veggies, nurtured by nature's own resources – water from our well, fertilizer from our rabbits. But lurking among this green paradise are pesky invaders threatening our eco-friendly haven. Join me as I share how my kids, Lewis and Elliana, sparked a revolution in pest control, offering ingenious solutions that banish those garden-wrecking lubbers without toxic chemicals or endless hours of manual labor. It's a game-changer for my sustainable gardening.
Don’t Want to Poison Where I Live
As a passionate gardener and online plant seller, my journey has always been about sustainability and providing chemical-free produce to my family and clients. With water sourced from our own well nurturing our plants and rabbits providing natural fertilizer, I've strived to maintain an eco-friendly approach in every aspect of my gardening endeavors. I don’t want to poison my land, my water or the sunflowers I’m asking you to put on your table. However, one challenge that persisted was dealing with lubbers, those pesky garden invaders that wreak havoc on crops and disrupt the harmony of the ecosystem.
I Love Pollinators- But Lubbers Make It Hard
I love pollinators! I grow plants to eat, to sell, for your table. Pollinators do much of the hard work for me, so I never want to place them in danger. The bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, beetles, ants and humming birds are our friends. For years, I grappled with the dilemma of managing lubber infestations without resorting to harmful pesticides or spending endless hours manually removing them. I admit, I started with pesticides, but after wasting a bottle of Sevin, only to have the baby lubbers laugh in my face and hop away to eat something else, I had to change. I noticed that the lubbers can barely move when it’s cold. They climb to the highest point to soak up the sun and warm themselves, making them easier to spot. So I started my day with 30 minutes to an hour of bending over to collect lubbers, only to never finish before they warmed up and hopped away. That's when my children, Lewis and Elliana, came to the rescue with innovative solutions that revolutionized my pest control methods.
Lubber Collection is Finally Easy
Lewis, always the inventive thinker, suggested using a small hand vacuum to tackle the lubber problem efficiently. The idea seemed unconventional at first, but its effectiveness soon became apparent. By venturing out early in the morning before the lubbers were warmed by the sun, I could collect hundreds of them effortlessly with the hand vacuum. It was a game-changer, saving us valuable time and eliminating the need for toxic chemicals.
A More Hands On Approach
Elliana, on the other hand, proposed a more hands-on approach – using a Bug-A-Salt gun to target and shoot the lubbers. While it may sound unconventional, it proved to be an effective method, especially for those who enjoy a bit of action in their gardening routine. Like the hand vacuum method, timing was crucial, requiring us to be early risers to catch the lubbers before they became active in the sun.
Multiple Methods of Control Are Needed
The key takeaway from these methods is the importance of early intervention. By getting up before the lubbers are warmed by the sun, we can effectively control their population and prevent further damage to our gardens. Consistency is also key, as lubbers will continue to hatch, requiring daily attention to keep their numbers in check.
I understand that some gardeners may still rely on pesticides out of convenience or habit. However, I believe that those who are truly dedicated to their craft are likely already up early in the morning, tending to their gardens. By incorporating these eco-friendly pest control methods into their routine, they can uphold their commitment to sustainability while maintaining a thriving garden ecosystem.
