Question
QUESTION: Is it okay to place lye directly on flowers or in flower bed to fight against pest, such as caterpillars, and so forth. Thanks, Marilyn

ANSWER: NO NO NO never, it will kill all the bees and beneficial insects, and probably burn the plants. See our website for organic control of garden pests:  http://www.avant-gardening.com/gardenpestsorganiccontrols.html  

For caterpillars, you should use a biological control specific to caterpillars - Bacillus Thuringiensis - a biological powder that can be applied at the caterpillar stage, Bt (a naturally occurring bacterial disease of insects) will kill them when they are small; HAND PICKING and relocating a 1/4 mile away is a good way to control caterpillars. We put them in a gallon can and then take the dogs for a walk and deposit them elsewhere.

BT and other organic pest controls are available at:

Harmony Farm Supply
All Natures Safeway
Planet Natural
Peaceful Valley Farm Supply

As a last resort you can use Rotonone-pyrethrin sprays/powders (which also have a toxicity to fish and invertebrates, and should be used in the evening to protect beneficial insects like honey bees, which are becoming endangered from all the pesticide use.)



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I mistakenly typed lye; when it is actually lime. Thanks, Marilyn

Answer
That is totally different!  Ok, lime is only used as a soil ammendment to make an acid soil more acidic.  If you have a healthy soil, you will grow healthy, insect resistant plants.  Test your soil and balance it.  For more information on creating a healthy organic, sustainable soil, please visit our website: http://www.avant-gardening.com and go the section about soil building and composting, and mulching.  90% of the plant is in the soil...that is why it is so important to have good soil.  Healthy plants come from a healthy soil.  Insects attack the weak ones.

Again, the best controls for any insects are biological....they are insect specific, and won't harm beneficial insects.