how to protect my plants from pests

[miss Sj]

hi there, after a little advice. ive noticed a couple of little holes in the leaves of my courgette plants. on one of the plants i noticed some little black eggs, a funny bug and a little yellowish worm. i destroyed all trace of the bugs. Any suggestions on how to protect the plants? ive read about soapy sprays? can i make something myself? ive already spent ALOT of money on the garden so im looking for natural ways to protect things. i dont have any insect nets
Thanks in advance

[Two_Sheds]

where are you?

I can't think of any yellow worms, at least not in the UK

[miss Sj]

Think it was more of a millipede than a worm. Sorry, insects are insects to me ha ha. I'm in west lancs

[Two_Sheds]

Insects have six legs. So it wasn't an insect

[Two_Sheds]

Not much to go on ! 30 people have viewed your thread but not answered you, so I'll have a bash.
A photo would surely help, or a bit more accurate info

a couple of little holes in the leaves

most likely slugs/snails

some little black eggs

most likely blackfly (aphids)

a funny bug

no idea. Funny haha, or funny peculiar?

a little yellowish worm.

again, no idea.


Hang on, it wasn't a centipede was it? (they're good bugs)

[miss Sj]

Thanks for attempting anyway, I wish I'd take a picture before destroying the bugs. I do have copper tape around my pots though, there are no gaps and I've seen no snail trails...

[miss Sj]

And 'funny' as in, What the he'll are you, brown, fly creepy crawl long legs ugly thing. An excellent description : D

[Two_Sheds]

I've seen no snail trails...

No, they don't always leave them, and copper doesn't seem to work:

Garden Pest Update: Slug vs Copper - YouTube

Copper & a Slug - YouTube

You might want to do a night-time patrol, with a torch and a bucket of salty water

[miss Sj]

Nope it didn't look like the one in the picture.
What's the best defence from slugs and snails?

[Scarlet]

What's the best defence from slugs and snails?

As TS has said- a torch and a bucket of salty water when it's dark..

[Two_Sheds]

You can't eradicate them, you just have to try and control their numbers. They love cool damp conditions, so pray for hot weather.
Don't leave hiding places (piles of stones, long grass) near your crops. Don't ever water the soil surface, instead try to keep it dry (by watering into flower pots sunk in the soil).

And do your night time patrols

[Nik]

Best defence against slugs: hedgehogs.

[Two_Sheds]

Actually hogs prefer worms (shhhhhh!)

"Hedgehogs are insectivores with over 70% of their natural diet being insects and beetles, some worms and a very tiny amount of slugs and snails."

Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue - Feeding Hedgehogs

Slow worms and beetles are predators of slugs & their eggs, but hogs are still lovely creatures to have around, and should be encouraged