[MamaTexan]

I tried tobacco last year, but lost all my seedlings. Still have a few seeds, so I'll try again! Hubby has quit smoking cigs, but has an occasional cigar.

Your post on pests made me remember a product called Diatomaceous Earth. It's made of oceanic diatoms and kills every insect in comes in contact with. The ONLY thing I've seen that can kill a full grown Texas grasshopper.

Anyway, this stuff is great because it doesn't affect birds, pets or other warm blooded creatures. (It's even a common ingredient in commercial baked goods...they use it to kill any weevils and such in the flour.)

The only thing I don't like about it is that is leaves a fugly white residue on the plant.

[Calpernia]

I had to look that one up.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

It is a non-toxic, safe substance made up from crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine life. Crushed to a fine powder and observed through a microscope, the particles resemble bits of broken glass. Deadly to any insect and completely harmless to animals, fish, fowl or food. Most insects have a waxy outer shell covering their bodies, INSECT STOP scratches through this shell causing the insect to dehydrate leading to eventual death.

(snip)