My jimson always gets eaten

[Anonymous]

I have several jimson plants on our property. I love the purplish-white flowers that open and close each day. I started a couple from seed at our last house and they were eaten. The insect problem is the same at our new place. I see those things eating and breeding. I sprayed the bugs with water thinking knocking them to the ground would help but it didn't.In nature there aren't pesticides, do I treat my plants with a chemical? I would rather not but if it will help </p>

[Anonymous]

What are the insects? By the way, nature is LOADED with pesticides, that is often how plants defend themselves against insects, among other things. A couple of examples: permethrin is an extract from chrysanthemums, which aside from keeping the bugs from munching the chrysanthemums, is used to keep fleas and ticks off of dogs and cats. Walnut trees produce a chemical in their leaves which prevents broadleaf plants from germinating near them, and is known to be poisonous to horses. Creosote, a desert bush, produces an herbicide in its roots which tends to kill plants nearby the better to get any soil moisture that may be present?. Both walnut and creosote are 'allellopathic' look it up!. </p>

[Anonymous]

obtain some environmentally friendly biodegradeable laundry soap and mix with water in a spray bottle and try that. It works well for aphids on roses. Outside of that take a bug specimen to the local Ag comissioner and see if they can help you determine wat it is and how to deal with it. Ben</p>

[Anonymous]

The only thing I know of that eats Jimson weed is Tomato horn worms. This plant is in the Nightshade family and nothing else can eat these without being poisoned. The best control is to go out at dusk or just after dark with a flashlight and hand pick the nasty little buggers. Doug s.</p>

[Anonymous]

Maybe the insect is the flea beetle. It feeds on eggplant, which is also a solanaceous plant. The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control Book put out by Rodale suggests Neem oil as an effective control for flea beetles, if that is what you have. Exclusion, by using reemay would be another option. Good luck.</p>