Attack of the Killer...Everything!

I was once in the happy land of "look how awesome my little garden is growing organically" and I started thinking that I was either smart, lucky, or prepared.  That was until I returned home from a 10-day trip in June to discover that I was under serious attack by multiple pests.  My zucchini plants were almost dead, my beans had new holes in the leaves, and my okra started to appear that they were attracting unfriendly guests.  So for the last few weeks I have been neglecting this blog and focusing my time on identifying the culprits, finding ways to kill them, and try to prevent it in the future. 

What have I been battling you ask?  Well, let me start with the dread squash bugs that have decimated my zucchini plants. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/M1208.html  These little guys are mean since they attack the stalk and kill the rest of the plant.  I resorted to Sevin so I am not organic this year after all, but I read these things spread quickly after they devour one plant.  I killed them once and then they returned from their eggs planted on the leaves but I think I have them this time.  Here is what they look like and what they did to my plants. 

Eaten from the inside out :(

The next pest has been the green shield bug attaking my green beans.  At first I was stuck by how pretty they were but they are eating my garden so they are a pest and must die.  Here is some info and pictures of them. http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=519  Sevin was once again the treatment and now they have been fully removed from the garden.

 

The last problem I am encountering is birds eating my tomatoes but I will save that for another post as I figure out what I am going to do about it. Happy gardening!