I seem to have a huge bug problem - ants, ticks, flies, etc like never before plus slugs and more slugs. I'm not sure what is cutting off/killing my cantelope seedlings and pumpkins but I've planted twice. Some I put cans around and some I used ash/sand but a few are still dying back. My green pepper plants also are withering away and have holes in the leaves but not the other pepper plants. I've given them fishy pond water and they perked up for a day but are worse. I put down slug bait as they were out of control but don't know what to do about all the bugs. No signs of ladybugs to help me.

I have been attacked before and sometime on multiple fronts as well.
The first task is to work on identifying each bug so you can work on remedies just for them.
Here are my top ways for finding out who does what.
Look under leaves.
Look around garden (under boards, leaves or items that where they hide during the day.)
Look around at night with flashlight

Post pictures here of bugs and or damage. I will see if I recognize them or look them up.
I use Whitney Cranshaw Garden Insects book as my favorite reference and the web as a secondary if I have an idea what it might be.