Question
We live in Fulton, Illinois (sandy soil).  Our potato plants are starting to bloom.  Now we are finding small grub-like insects.  They appear to be about 1/2" or less - orangish in color.  They are eating the leaves.  What are they and what can we do to get rid of them and to prevent future infestation?

Answer
Ann, from your description, it sounds like you may have slugs in your garden.  They are very prevalent in the midwest, especially in spring.  Slugs, which are snails without the shell, come in a white to tan color and also in dark orange.  The orange slugs grow to be much larger and are much more difficult to control.

I, too, have had many heartaches over the damage slugs have done to my plants over the years.  I have tried everything including beer traps, diatomaceous earth, homemade traps, and copper.  I must admit that I've had moderate success with the beer, but it would evaporate each day and got expensive to maintain.

I am happy to say that I've finally discovered an effective deterrent.  It is a product sold by a company named Gardens Alive, and is called Escar-Go.  Although it is a pesticide, it is organic, and is therefore non-toxic to humans and pets.  It also stays active and solid even after a heavy rain.  Just sprinkle small amounts around each plant, and reapply every 10 days.  In case you're interested, click on the attached website and search for Escar-Go.

http://www.gardens-alive.com

If the area is large, making this product impractical, try spraying the soil with an ammonia solution.  Mix one tbs. lemon ammonia and one tbs. of non-concentrated dishwashing liquid per gallon of water. You'll need to apply this solution twice per week, and preferable in the early morning hours when slugs are most active.

Recent studies have also shown that slugs are deterred by coffee grounds.  Many gardeners apply used coffee grounds to their soil as an organic amendment.  These same studies have shown that plants with old coffee grounds sprinkled around them have 80% fewer slugs than those not treated.  It also has shown that the coffee grounds kill young slugs. They suspect it is the caffeine, but they are still researching the actual cause and effect.

I hope this helps.  Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike