Question
What can be done to control (i.e., "kill", and as painfully as possible) snails and aphids quickly, inexpensively, & organically?  

Last year, when I had an abundance of Habaneros I ran the excess peppers through a Cuisinart and strained the slurry (using robotic equipment, operated upwind about 300 yards away).  The juice, mixed 5/1 with water, made the most effective insecticide I抳e ever used!  The aphids apparently all left, looking for a cold beer to put out the fire and the snails just sorta hissed and turned into a thin stream of smoke.  

The juice that was left over I mixed 3/1 and used it as lawn mower fuel.

This year, however, due to intense rivalry between the police and fire departments about which had the biggest balls (the one that sold the most tickets, naturally) I can抰 supply the existing demand, let alone have any left over for bug-killing, so I抦 back to square 1/2.  Suggestions?


Answer
Dear Mac:

Your Habaneros concoction mix is one of the many alternatives for organic control of snails and other garden pests. Since your demand is apparently exceeding supply, suggest you consider using "Sluggo".   Sluggo is an organic alternative to metaldehyde baits that can be used safely around domestic animals. The active ingredient is iron phosphate which occurs naturally in the soil.

Instructions for using Sluggo, an organic snail and slug bait:

    Even though Sluggo is an organic material, it is considered a pesticide and all necessary restrictions and precautions must be observed. The label lists all the information needed by the applicator for the safe use of this material and should be reviewed prior to each application. Appropriate personal protective equipment, including coveralls, boots, rubber gloves, and eye protection, must be used.

Hazards To Humans And Other Domestic Animals: Sluggo can cause eye irritation. Read and follow label instructions.
General information: The bait is attractive to snails and slugs and lures them away from their hiding places and plants. Ingestion, even in small amounts, will cause them to stop feeding, become less mobile, and begin to die within 3 to 6 days. Dead snails and slugs may not be visible as they often crawl away to secluded places to die. Plant protection will be observed by the decrease in plant damage.
How To Apply: The granules should be scattered on the ground around the plants to be protected. Apply bait evenly at about 1 pound per 1000 sq. feet (0.15oz., or about 1 level teaspoon per sq. yard) and reapply as bait is consumed or at least every 2 weeks. Do not place in piles. If ground is dry, wet it before spreading bait. The soil should be moist, but with little or no standing water.
When To Apply: Evening is the best time to apply the bait.
Where to apply: All likely areas of infestation should be treated, especially the perimeter of garden plots. These pests travel into plant areas from daytime refuges. Favorite areas include flower gardens, rockeries, hedges, citrus groves, ivy patches, and other ground covers where they obtain shelter by day.

Sincerely,

Mack Jean
AllExperts
Master Gardener
Tennessee