With containers you can usually eliminate chewing bug problems. Maybe you transported some slugs or rolly pollys into your mix.
Go out at midnight with a flashlight and take a look, that's when bugs usually munch.

Thanks so much for your help. I live in Florida and there are always bugs. The second day after planting, one of my eggplants had been totally eaten by a caterpillar. The bugs on the peppers are very tiny and kind of a red color. I looked them up and couldn't find exactly what it was. But I also saw a very long and slender black bug on the back of one of the leaves. It had lots of legs and I couldn't find it online either. There are also small flies around, two different types and neither the common house fly. I'm trying to go without the chemicals but I can see it will be difficult.
Thanks again,
deb

Hi, Deb, I would advise that you use a non-detergent soap for future pest control.
I use Dr. Bronner's castile soap or Murphy's Oil soap with water and Neem Oil for control.
I also prefer to spray after the sun has passed, so that the leaves dry before the sun hits
them the following day.

Could the black pest have been a Ladybug larva by chance?

Josh

Thanks Josh,

I'll take your advice on that soap. I've taken a photo of the red bug. It's hard to really see the body shape but maybe someone will recognize it.

Had a look at the ladybug larvae. It would be very close but my bug has a straight and narrow body.

deb

Here is a link that might be useful: Photobucket Album

I grow everything in containers and that never stopped bugs from chewing on my plants. Neem and soap is effective against many pests. Another new organic broad spectrum pesticide that is very safe and effective is spinosad. It is sold under different brand names, including Captain Jack's Dead Bug Spray and Monteray Garden Insect Spray. When you have chunks eaten out of your leaves, that suggests you have caterpillars of some kind. An old fashioned and effective remedy for them is BT, sold as Dipel or Thuricide. The good thing about these organic sprays is that they usually don't hurt beneficial insects like lady bugs, who don't chew on plants. And if you don't spray during the times when bees are out, it won't hurt them either.

Thanks so much for the info. I have found a couple of caterpillars munching on the leaves but the red bugs have left my peppers. I am really thankful for all the experienced gardeners on the gardenweb. Now to figure out if I need to supplement fertilizer after using Raybo's recipe for my earthtainers. Tomato plants and eggplants are coming along nicely.