Question
Hi - can you tell me how to safely get rid of slugs and caterpillars (besides beer, it worked at first and now I'm not catching any). They're tearing through my broccoli and I'm afraid I won't get any veggies.

Answer
Catherine, there are two separate controls for slugs and caterpillars. Let's start with the caterpillars.

I always recommend organic controls, and the best on the market today for caterpillars is BT. BT is an organic insecticide, which is short for bacillus thuringiensis, more commonly sold under the brand names Dipel or MVP. It is a dust that is non-toxic to humans, pets, and beneficials, but highly effective against caterpillars and hornworms. You can purchase this product through on-line catalogs such as Gardens Alive, Planet Natural, or locally at many garden centers. Attached is a link:

http://www.planetnatural.com/site/dipel-dust.html

To control slugs, you either have to trap them or apply a slug control. Slug traps are available, but they need to be baited and refilled every couple of days. Since I only advocate organic products in the vegetable garden, my recommendation would be any product with iron phosphate. The one I use is Escar-Go, a product sold by Gardens Alive. Another good product is Sluggo, sold by Planet Natural.

There are many other granular chemicals sold in garden centers, but I would only use those around flowers and bushes since they can be toxic if digested by humans.  Attached are links to companies selling these products:

http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=2111&ss=slugs
http://www.planetnatural.com/site/sluggo.html
http://www.planetnatural.com/site/slug-trap.html  

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

Regards,  

Mike