Survey Results

Page: Introduction

1. In what region of North America do you garden?
	answered question		1,370
	skipped question		6
		Response Percent	Response Count
Central/Midwest		23.5%	322
Gulf Coast		8.3%	114
Maritime Canada & New England		7.7%	105
Mid-Atlantic		18.0%	247
North Central & Rockies		6.5%	89
Pacific Northwest		10.2%	140
Southern Interior		17.3%	237
Southwest		7.1%	97
Mexico		0.2%	3
Not in North America		1.2%	16

2. How extensively do you use organic methods in your garden?
	answered question		1,368
	skipped question		8
		Response Percent	Response Count
Beyond organic/sustainable		12.6%	172
Totally organic		50.6%	692
Occasionally use chemicals		34.0%	465
Often use non-organic methods		2.9%	39

3. How much experience do you have growing food plants?
	answered question		1,371
	skipped question		5
		Response Percent	Response Count
1 to 2 years		13.3%	183
3 to 5 years		22.2%	305
6 to 10 years		15.5%	212
10 to 20 years		15.2%	209
More than 20 years		31.1%	426
I don't grow a food garden.		2.6%	36

Page: Changes in Your Garden & Types of Pests

1. During the last 3 growing seasons, have there been noticeable changes in the insect activity in your garden?
	answered question						1,089
	skipped question						287
	Fewer pests, more beneficial species	No noticeable changes	Slightly more pest problems	Many more pest problems	I really don’t know	Rating Average	Rating Count
Select one	18.5% (202)	30.6% (333)	29.0% (316)	13.0% (142)	8.8% (96)	2.40	1,089

2. If you've noticed a change in insect activity, do you have any theories as to why the change occurred? If so, what are they?
	answered question	532
	skipped question	844
		Response Count
[ShowReplies]		532

3. Please rate the pests listed below in terms of how serious they are in your garden.
	answered question					1,163
	skipped question					213
	Always a problem	Serious in some years	Rarely a problem	Don’t know this pest	Rating Average	Rating Count
Aphids	17.8% (195)	32.6% (357)	45.2% (495)	4.5% (49)	2.64	1,096
Armyworm	1.9% (20)	7.4% (77)	33.6% (348)	57.0% (591)	1.54	1,036
Asparagus beetle	1.5% (15)	4.2% (43)	33.9% (349)	60.4% (622)	1.47	1,029
Blister beetles	1.6% (16)	6.0% (62)	30.1% (309)	62.2% (638)	1.47	1,025
Cabbage root maggot	3.5% (35)	9.4% (95)	37.8% (383)	49.4% (500)	1.67	1,013
Cabbage worm	21.7% (230)	25.0% (266)	26.1% (277)	27.2% (289)	2.41	1,062
Carrot rust fly	1.3% (13)	5.3% (54)	33.2% (337)	60.2% (611)	1.48	1,015
Colorado potato beetle	9.4% (97)	17.9% (185)	33.3% (345)	39.4% (408)	1.97	1,035
Corn earworm	14.4% (148)	23.7% (244)	31.3% (323)	30.6% (316)	2.22	1,031
Cucumber beetle	15.8% (164)	23.5% (244)	32.4% (337)	28.4% (295)	2.27	1,040
Cutworm	13.8% (145)	27.7% (291)	41.6% (437)	16.9% (177)	2.38	1,050
Flea beetle	12.0% (124)	16.3% (168)	26.1% (270)	45.6% (471)	1.95	1,033
Grasshopper	14.7% (157)	26.0% (277)	52.3% (558)	6.9% (74)	2.48	1,066
Harlequin bug	3.6% (36)	8.6% (87)	31.6% (320)	56.2% (569)	1.59	1,012
Japanese beetle	19.1% (203)	27.3% (290)	32.2% (342)	21.3% (226)	2.44	1,061
Leafhopper	6.4% (66)	18.4% (189)	42.0% (432)	33.2% (341)	1.98	1,028
Mexican bean beetle	4.5% (46)	10.3% (105)	31.0% (315)	54.2% (551)	1.65	1,017
Onion root maggot	1.5% (15)	5.9% (60)	34.0% (345)	58.6% (595)	1.50	1,015
Slugs	27.3% (293)	28.1% (301)	38.3% (411)	6.3% (67)	2.76	1,072
Snails	14.8% (151)	15.8% (161)	56.9% (580)	12.5% (127)	2.33	1,019
Squash bug	27.4% (289)	23.7% (250)	26.9% (284)	21.9% (231)	2.57	1,054
Squash vine borer	22.7% (240)	24.8% (263)	24.9% (264)	27.6% (292)	2.43	1,059
Tomato hornworm	16.5% (178)	25.8% (278)	41.7% (449)	16.0% (172)	2.43	1,077
Whitefly	12.3% (128)	24.6% (255)	38.2% (397)	24.9% (258)	2.24	1,038
Comments [ShowReplies]						246

Page: Most Effective Methods

1. Please rate the following controls for aphids, thrips, whiteflies and other soft-bodied sucking insects in terms of their effectiveness in your garden.
	answered question					937
	skipped question					439
	Best choice	Reasonably effective	Doesn’t work for me	Never tried it	Rating Average	Rating Count
Companion planting	15.8% (142)	43.5% (392)	16.5% (149)	24.2% (218)	2.49	901
Diatomaceous earth	8.7% (77)	22.9% (203)	7.2% (64)	61.2% (542)	3.21	886
Garlic/pepper sprays	7.3% (65)	28.9% (256)	14.9% (132)	48.9% (433)	3.05	886
Horticultural oil	5.3% (47)	24.3% (214)	4.9% (43)	65.5% (576)	3.30	880
Insecticidal soap	14.4% (128)	44.5% (396)	7.1% (63)	34.0% (303)	2.61	890
Pruning off infested parts	18.7% (169)	48.5% (439)	14.3% (130)	18.5% (168)	2.33	906
Reflective mulches	2.0% (17)	10.0% (87)	7.8% (68)	80.3% (699)	3.66	871
Row covers	10.4% (91)	20.0% (176)	5.7% (50)	63.9% (562)	3.23	879
Water spray	9.7% (87)	32.9% (295)	25.8% (231)	31.6% (283)	2.79	896
Attracting beneficials	29.8% (265)	34.2% (304)	8.8% (78)	27.2% (242)	2.33	889
Comments [ShowReplies]						146

2. Please rate the following controls for leaf-eating caterpillars including cabbageworms, armyworms and tomato hornworms.
	answered question					921
	skipped question					455
	Best choice	Reasonably effective	Doesn’t work for me	Never tried it	Rating Average	Rating Count
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)	15.7% (139)	12.8% (113)	1.6% (14)	69.9% (617)	3.26	883
Companion planting	11.3% (99)	33.5% (294)	19.7% (173)	35.5% (311)	2.79	877
Garlic/pepper sprays	5.1% (44)	23.0% (199)	14.7% (127)	57.3% (496)	3.24	866
Hand picking	41.6% (377)	37.6% (341)	7.7% (70)	13.0% (118)	1.92	906
Kaolin clay	0.7% (6)	2.9% (25)	2.1% (18)	94.3% (816)	3.90	865
Spinosad	2.8% (24)	3.1% (27)	1.5% (13)	92.7% (807)	3.84	871
Row covers	11.5% (100)	14.5% (127)	6.1% (53)	67.9% (593)	3.30	873
Comments [ShowReplies]						119

3. Please rate the following controls for slugs and snails:
	answered question					918
	skipped question					458
	Best choice	Reasonably effective	Doesn't work for me	Never tried it	Rating Average	Rating Count
Beer traps	13.5% (120)	34.4% (306)	11.5% (102)	40.7% (362)	2.79	890
Board traps	4.5% (39)	18.5% (162)	9.0% (79)	68.0% (595)	3.41	875
Coffee grounds barrier	4.3% (38)	15.8% (140)	9.1% (81)	70.8% (629)	3.47	888
Copper barriers	2.4% (21)	7.8% (68)	5.3% (46)	84.4% (733)	3.72	868
Diatomaceous earth (DE)	8.4% (73)	19.5% (170)	5.3% (46)	66.9% (585)	3.31	874
Eggshell barrier	5.6% (49)	19.9% (174)	12.6% (110)	62.0% (543)	3.31	876
Hand picking	26.9% (239)	37.1% (330)	9.7% (86)	26.3% (234)	2.35	889
Iron phosphate slug bait	7.8% (68)	7.1% (62)	2.6% (23)	82.5% (723)	3.60	876
Mulch removal	2.6% (23)	14.9% (130)	9.3% (81)	73.3% (641)	3.53	875
Comments [ShowReplies]						176

4. Please rate the following controls for plant-eating beetles including asparagus beetles, blister beetles, Colorado potato beetles, cucumber beetles and Mexican bean beetles:
	answered question					893
	skipped question					483
	Best choice	Reasonably effective	Doesn't work for me	Never tried it	Rating Average	Rating Count
Companion planting	12.1% (102)	26.9% (227)	16.8% (142)	44.2% (373)	2.93	844
Good garden cleanup in fall	20.2% (174)	35.2% (303)	13.4% (115)	31.2% (268)	2.55	860
Hand picking	26.3% (230)	30.2% (264)	12.1% (106)	31.4% (274)	2.49	874
Kaolin clay	0.6% (5)	2.1% (18)	2.3% (19)	95.0% (802)	3.92	844
Neem	3.8% (32)	14.8% (126)	3.9% (33)	77.6% (660)	3.55	851
Poultry predation	10.7% (92)	11.0% (94)	2.7% (23)	75.6% (649)	3.43	858
Spinosad	1.2% (10)	3.2% (27)	1.3% (11)	94.3% (799)	3.89	847
Vacuuming	1.1% (9)	1.9% (16)	1.5% (13)	95.5% (811)	3.92	849
Yellow traps	1.2% (10)	7.3% (62)	4.7% (40)	86.7% (733)	3.77	845
Row covers	8.0% (68)	12.9% (109)	4.5% (38)	74.6% (632)	3.46	847
Comments [ShowReplies]						150

5. Please rate the following controls for true bugs including squash bugs, harlequin bugs, stink bugs and tarnished plant bugs:
	answered question					891
	skipped question					485
	Best choice	Reasonably effective	Doesn't work for me	Never tried it	Rating Average	Rating Count
Board traps	2.3% (20)	7.5% (64)	9.8% (84)	80.3% (686)	3.68	854
Companion planting	11.5% (98)	25.0% (214)	18.5% (158)	45.0% (385)	2.97	855
Good garden sanitation	17.4% (148)	35.4% (302)	14.3% (122)	32.9% (281)	2.63	853
Hand picking	25.5% (222)	32.2% (280)	12.3% (107)	30.0% (261)	2.47	870
Neem	3.6% (31)	12.9% (110)	4.4% (38)	79.0% (675)	3.59	854
Non-preferred varieties	4.3% (36)	11.8% (100)	5.5% (46)	78.4% (662)	3.58	844
Row covers	7.5% (63)	11.1% (94)	6.2% (52)	75.3% (636)	3.49	845
Timing of crop	10.3% (88)	20.3% (173)	11.8% (101)	57.6% (492)	3.17	854
Comments [ShowReplies]						135

6. Please rate the following controls for fly larvae that damage plant roots including cabbage root maggots, carrot rust fly and onion root maggots:
	answered question					854
	skipped question					522
	Best choice	Reasonably effective	Doesn't work for me	Never tried it	Rating Average	Rating Count
Beneficial nematodes	10.4% (86)	8.1% (67)	2.2% (18)	79.4% (659)	3.51	830
Companion planting	11.9% (98)	24.4% (201)	7.6% (63)	56.1% (463)	3.08	825
Crop rotation	22.9% (192)	28.2% (236)	5.8% (49)	43.1% (361)	2.69	838
Diatomaceous earth	6.6% (54)	10.9% (89)	3.4% (28)	79.1% (648)	3.55	819
Garlic/pepper sprays	4.0% (33)	14.1% (116)	9.1% (75)	72.8% (600)	3.51	824
Insecticidal soap	5.9% (48)	20.5% (167)	5.8% (47)	67.9% (554)	3.36	816
Row covers	7.1% (58)	8.9% (73)	5.1% (42)	78.9% (647)	3.56	820
Screen or paper barriers	3.8% (31)	6.0% (49)	4.7% (38)	85.6% (699)	3.72	817
Comments [ShowReplies]						119

7. Please rate the following controls for squash vine borers:
	answered question					848
	skipped question					528
	Best choice	Reasonably effective	Doesn't work for me	Never tried it	Rating Average	Rating Count
Beneficial nematodes	6.2% (51)	6.2% (51)	4.6% (38)	82.9% (678)	3.64	818
Companion planting	10.5% (87)	18.2% (150)	17.2% (142)	54.1% (446)	3.15	825
Crop rotation	16.1% (134)	26.0% (216)	14.9% (124)	42.9% (356)	2.85	830
Foil, cloth or screen barriers	4.3% (35)	8.4% (69)	7.3% (60)	80.1% (659)	3.63	823
Garlic/pepper sprays	3.2% (26)	14.9% (123)	11.1% (91)	70.8% (583)	3.50	823
Horticultural oil	2.1% (17)	10.2% (84)	6.2% (51)	81.6% (673)	3.67	825
Resistant varieties	10.6% (87)	16.3% (134)	6.7% (55)	66.5% (547)	3.29	823
Row covers	6.2% (51)	9.2% (75)	5.6% (46)	79.0% (647)	3.57	819
Surgical removal	6.1% (50)	11.5% (95)	10.2% (84)	72.2% (596)	3.49	825
Comments [ShowReplies]						148

8. Please rate the following controls for Japanese beetles:
	answered question					852
	skipped question					524
	Best choice	Reasonably effective	Doesn't work for me	Never tried it	Rating Average	Rating Count
Beneficial nematodes	4.7% (38)	5.2% (42)	5.5% (45)	84.6% (688)	3.70	813
Garlic/pepper sprays	3.7% (30)	11.8% (96)	11.5% (93)	73.0% (593)	3.54	812
Hand picking	24.7% (205)	25.2% (209)	8.8% (73)	41.4% (344)	2.67	831
Milky spore disease	5.7% (47)	3.9% (32)	4.0% (33)	86.3% (707)	3.71	819
Pheromone traps	4.5% (37)	10.0% (82)	10.7% (88)	74.7% (612)	3.56	819
Row covers	5.1% (41)	8.1% (66)	4.6% (37)	82.2% (666)	3.64	810
Comments [ShowReplies]						175

9. Please rate the following controls for flea beetles on leafy greens, potatoes and eggplant:
	answered question					843
	skipped question					533
	Best choice	Reasonably effective	Doesn't work for me	Never tried it	Rating Average	Rating Count
Companion planting	10.5% (86)	18.6% (152)	13.8% (113)	57.1% (467)	3.17	818
Garlic/pepper sprays	6.0% (49)	17.2% (141)	8.2% (67)	68.6% (562)	3.39	819
Insecticidal soap	9.3% (76)	19.9% (163)	7.6% (62)	63.3% (519)	3.25	820
Non-preferred varieties	4.2% (34)	8.7% (70)	7.3% (59)	79.9% (646)	3.63	809
Raised beds or containers	8.0% (65)	15.4% (125)	17.0% (138)	59.7% (486)	3.28	814
Row covers	8.5% (69)	9.4% (77)	6.3% (51)	75.8% (618)	3.49	815
Spinosad	1.1% (9)	1.9% (15)	1.5% (12)	95.6% (773)	3.91	809
Comments [ShowReplies]						142

10. Please rate the following controls for cutworms that damage young seedlings at night:
	answered question					850
	skipped question					526
	Best choice	Reasonably effective	Doesn't work for me	Never tried it	Rating Average	Rating Count
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)	5.7% (47)	7.2% (59)	2.5% (21)	84.6% (698)	3.66	825
Beneficial nematodes	4.9% (40)	6.6% (54)	3.9% (32)	84.7% (696)	3.68	822
Companion planting	8.7% (71)	16.4% (134)	12.1% (99)	62.8% (514)	3.29	818
Diatomaceous earth	6.6% (54)	10.1% (83)	3.9% (32)	79.5% (654)	3.56	823
Garlic/pepper sprays	3.1% (25)	14.0% (114)	7.6% (62)	75.3% (614)	3.55	815
Kaolin clay	0.2% (2)	1.3% (11)	2.4% (20)	96.0% (784)	3.94	817
Rigid collars	19.9% (166)	16.1% (134)	2.8% (23)	61.3% (511)	3.05	834
Surface cultivation	8.0% (65)	20.0% (163)	7.9% (64)	64.2% (523)	3.28	815
Comments [ShowReplies]						122

11. Please rate the following controls for corn earworms, also known as tomato fruitworms:
	answered question					828
	skipped question					548
	Best choice	Reasonably effective	Doesn't work for me	Never tried it	Rating Average	Rating Count
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)	6.4% (52)	6.8% (55)	2.0% (16)	84.8% (687)	3.65	810
Beneficial nematodes	4.0% (32)	4.8% (39)	2.7% (22)	88.5% (715)	3.76	808
Clothespin, rubber band or other barrier on ear tip	2.2% (18)	4.8% (39)	2.5% (20)	90.5% (736)	3.81	813
Companion planting	7.0% (57)	12.8% (104)	9.9% (80)	70.3% (570)	3.43	811
Garlic/pepper sprays	3.2% (26)	11.6% (94)	7.6% (62)	77.6% (630)	3.60	812
Horticultural oil	4.6% (37)	9.2% (74)	4.1% (33)	82.1% (662)	3.64	806
Non-preferred varieties	4.0% (32)	5.6% (45)	4.1% (33)	86.4% (699)	3.73	809
Spinosad	1.0% (8)	1.5% (12)	1.2% (10)	96.3% (772)	3.93	802
Comments [ShowReplies]						156

Page: About Your Methods

1. Have you worked to provide habitat for beneficial insects in your garden?
	answered question		944
	skipped question		432
		Response Percent	Response Count
No, I haven't tried this.		30.8%	291
Yes, I do this.		69.2%	653

Page: Beneficial insects

1. If you have you worked to provide habitat for beneficial insects in your garden, do you feel this has helped reduce pest problems?
	answered question		640
	skipped question		736
		Response Percent	Response Count
Seems like it has helped a great deal.		31.6%	202
Seems it has been somewhat helpful.		49.2%	315
Seems to have helped with some pests (please provide details below).		6.1%	39
Doesn't seem to make any difference.		13.1%	84
Comments [ShowReplies]			117

Page: Row covers

1. Barriers made from row cover or lightweight fabric can protect plants from many pests. Do you currently use row covers in your garden?
	answered question		925
	skipped question		451
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes, I use them all the time		6.1%	56
I frequently use row covers		15.7%	145
I rarely use row covers		17.9%	166
Waste of time		4.2%	39
Never tried them		56.1%	519
Comments [ShowReplies]			128

2. Many gardeners deter pests with homemade garlic/pepper sprays, with a small amount of soap added. In your experience, is this method worthwhile?
	answered question		922
	skipped question		454
		Response Percent	Response Count
Definitely worth trying		16.5%	152
Works sometimes		26.8%	247
Not very effective		11.2%	103
Waste of time		2.5%	23
Never tried it		43.1%	397
Comments [ShowReplies]			76

3. Have you found that companion planting is an effective way to confuse or deter common insect pests?
	answered question		913
	skipped question		463
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes, it is highly effective		16.9%	154
Works sometimes		42.6%	389
Rarely effective		13.9%	127
Waste of time		3.9%	36
Never tried it		22.7%	207
Comments [ShowReplies]			101

Page: Thank you!

1. Thanks for participating in this survey. Your contribution of time and thought will help us report about what is really going on in today's sustainable gardens. Results of this survey are updated each time someone completes it. When you click the "Done" button below, you'll see the current results! If you have additional comments, please enter them in the box below.
	answered question	142
	skipped question	1,234
		Response Count
[ShowReplies]		142