Post by David on Sept 15, 2021 14:32:03 GMT
COMMON PESTS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE
There’s nothing more disheartening than when gardeners start noticing the damage dealt by invasions of nasty pests. Worse still, as soon as these blighters get a taste of your lovingly grown fruit and veg, they’re likely to be back year in year out. That’s why it’s important to recognise the signs and take measures as soon as possible.
APHIDS (GREENFLY AND BLACKFLY: They are the most common and consistently troublesome pests that attack all manner of different plants, and they exist in huge numbers.
• The tell-tale signs of aphids are leaves covered in what looks like a thick layer of soot, as well as curled leaves and distorted, twisted shoots.
• Aphids can ruin your crop so it's best to tackle these bugs straight away.
• Create a citrus spray consisting of oranges and lemons, strain the bits and mix the juice with boiling water.
• Spray over the infested area. Another spray you can create is using a third of white vinegar to water, the best part is you'll probably have some in your kitchen already.
• Planting onions and garlic will keep them away, this is ideal method for on-going prevention.
• Aphids produce a honeydew like excretion that ants absolutely love, and the ants swarm them which then protects the aphids from predators.
ANTS: Ants make matters worse when trying to get rid of aphids, so it’s best to get rid of them first.
• Ants build elaborate nests in and around plots, which can also damage the roots of plants, which can kill them, and they also tend to nibble away at freshly sown seeds and have been known to eat ripening fruit as well.
• Depending on the severity of the ant infestation, you can rely on different ways to get rid of them. Some folks swear by spreading ant powder on visible nests, whilst another option is to purchase a specially made sticky-tape material that you can use to line your plot.
• This will stop the ants from getting to the aphids and will eventually thin their numbers.
CATERPILLARS: Butterflies Help Your Garden but Caterpillars Can Harm It
• Get rid of caterpillars that can end up chewing their way through your plants.
• The cabbage moth and box tree caterpillar, for example, are known to harm garden plants.
• If they aren’t dealt with, they will likely ruin your entire crop.
• If you can’t see directly, you can tell that they’re about if you start noticing holes in leaves.
• Firstly, pick off the caterpillars you find and dispose of them however you prefer.
• Check the area for eggs and larvae and get rid of any you come across.
• Build a mesh protective cage around your plant. If you prefer, then try to encourage birds to visit your garden by placing a bird feeder near the caterpillar infestation.
• It’s important to regularly flip leaves over to get a look underneath, especially if you see white butterflies hovering over your cabbage.
CABBAGE ROOT FLY: These white larvae will attack the roots of brassica plants such as swede, turnip, cabbage and radishes.
• You’ll know that you have them if your crops turn a bluish colour and quickly die.
• The best way to deal with them is to just remove any plants that you suspect as being infected as soon as possible, or you could also trying to spray your plot with a nematode based insecticide.
CARROT FLY: Despite the name, these pests will also attack parsnips, seedlings and most root vegetables. Keep an eye out for maggots that may appear around the roots of these veg, and also a clear sign of infestation is that leaves will turn a reddish colour before eventually turning yellow.
• Unfortunately, there’s not a great deal you can do about them, however, if you grow onions and chives as close as possible to them, it’s said that they will act as a natural deterrent.
WOODLICE: Woodlice are quite harmless as they are not rampant eaters, however, they will nibble on stem leaves and roots, so it’s only if they are in large numbers they will start to cause a problem.
• The best way to keep their numbers down is to simply keep things tidy.
• Keep your plot free of dead leaves, and seeing as they like dark and damp conditions, clear up anything not being using that they could use as shelter such as empty pots.
SLUGS AND SNAILS: These creatures can still cause problems despite their slow nature.
• First things first, clear away any places where snails and slugs could hide during the day.
• Weedy areas, stones, wooden boards and ground covering ivy provide such shelter, and need to be removed as soon as possible.
• You would never guess that slugs like beer and wine almost as much as humans.
• Create slug traps by filling a container with beer and bury it in the ground close to the rim.
• Set as many of these traps as you think necessary based on the size of your slug problem.
• Clean and replace the traps regularly. This method can work for snails too.
• Deter them, by planting strongly scented plants such as lavender, rosemary and sage.
ENCOURAGING PREDATORS: One of the best methods of pest control is to create an environment that encourages natural predators.
• For example, centipedes will eat slugs and snails, and beetles will also go for slugs, as well as larvae and root aphids.
• Hoverflies, dragonflies and ladybirds love to eat aphids, mites and caterpillars, as do earwigs.
• Of course, it’s also a good idea to attract birds, but just pick the time of year as you don’t want them eating freshly sown seed as well!
NEEM SPRAY: Buy some Neem oil and mix about a tablespoon for every litre and add just under a tablespoon of organic insect soap or detergent.
• Use the solution immediately and make a fresh bottle every time you want to use it.
• Spray your natural pesticide on the leaves, under the leaves and around the soil.
• This is an age-old Indian remedy so trust in the power of Neem oil.
BUGS HATE GARLIC: Hang a clove of garlic around your plant or crush some garlic and create a spray. Add some water and spray away.
Garlic works well to repel flying insects as well the usual culprits like aphids.
ESSENTIAL OILS: Mix a concoction of essential oils such as thyme, rosemary and sage.
• You can crush the leaves and create your own solution from scratch or simply buy the oils. Mix the oil with water and spray on your plants.
• Certain oils are great at repelling particular insects.
• Lavender works well to repel mosquitoes.
• Use peppermint oil to deter ants and spiders.
• Try cedar oil for your moth problem.
ALCOLOL SOLOTION: Try making a solution consisting of 1 cup of rubbing alcohol to 4 cups of water. Alcohol can kill a range of pests from aphids to spider mites.
• Test the solution on a small area and check the leaves within a few days, if the alcohol has burnt the leaves then don't continue to use the solution since some plants can be more sensitive.
David
Plot 18
There’s nothing more disheartening than when gardeners start noticing the damage dealt by invasions of nasty pests. Worse still, as soon as these blighters get a taste of your lovingly grown fruit and veg, they’re likely to be back year in year out. That’s why it’s important to recognise the signs and take measures as soon as possible.
APHIDS (GREENFLY AND BLACKFLY: They are the most common and consistently troublesome pests that attack all manner of different plants, and they exist in huge numbers.
• The tell-tale signs of aphids are leaves covered in what looks like a thick layer of soot, as well as curled leaves and distorted, twisted shoots.
• Aphids can ruin your crop so it's best to tackle these bugs straight away.
• Create a citrus spray consisting of oranges and lemons, strain the bits and mix the juice with boiling water.
• Spray over the infested area. Another spray you can create is using a third of white vinegar to water, the best part is you'll probably have some in your kitchen already.
• Planting onions and garlic will keep them away, this is ideal method for on-going prevention.
• Aphids produce a honeydew like excretion that ants absolutely love, and the ants swarm them which then protects the aphids from predators.
ANTS: Ants make matters worse when trying to get rid of aphids, so it’s best to get rid of them first.
• Ants build elaborate nests in and around plots, which can also damage the roots of plants, which can kill them, and they also tend to nibble away at freshly sown seeds and have been known to eat ripening fruit as well.
• Depending on the severity of the ant infestation, you can rely on different ways to get rid of them. Some folks swear by spreading ant powder on visible nests, whilst another option is to purchase a specially made sticky-tape material that you can use to line your plot.
• This will stop the ants from getting to the aphids and will eventually thin their numbers.
CATERPILLARS: Butterflies Help Your Garden but Caterpillars Can Harm It
• Get rid of caterpillars that can end up chewing their way through your plants.
• The cabbage moth and box tree caterpillar, for example, are known to harm garden plants.
• If they aren’t dealt with, they will likely ruin your entire crop.
• If you can’t see directly, you can tell that they’re about if you start noticing holes in leaves.
• Firstly, pick off the caterpillars you find and dispose of them however you prefer.
• Check the area for eggs and larvae and get rid of any you come across.
• Build a mesh protective cage around your plant. If you prefer, then try to encourage birds to visit your garden by placing a bird feeder near the caterpillar infestation.
• It’s important to regularly flip leaves over to get a look underneath, especially if you see white butterflies hovering over your cabbage.
CABBAGE ROOT FLY: These white larvae will attack the roots of brassica plants such as swede, turnip, cabbage and radishes.
• You’ll know that you have them if your crops turn a bluish colour and quickly die.
• The best way to deal with them is to just remove any plants that you suspect as being infected as soon as possible, or you could also trying to spray your plot with a nematode based insecticide.
CARROT FLY: Despite the name, these pests will also attack parsnips, seedlings and most root vegetables. Keep an eye out for maggots that may appear around the roots of these veg, and also a clear sign of infestation is that leaves will turn a reddish colour before eventually turning yellow.
• Unfortunately, there’s not a great deal you can do about them, however, if you grow onions and chives as close as possible to them, it’s said that they will act as a natural deterrent.
WOODLICE: Woodlice are quite harmless as they are not rampant eaters, however, they will nibble on stem leaves and roots, so it’s only if they are in large numbers they will start to cause a problem.
• The best way to keep their numbers down is to simply keep things tidy.
• Keep your plot free of dead leaves, and seeing as they like dark and damp conditions, clear up anything not being using that they could use as shelter such as empty pots.
SLUGS AND SNAILS: These creatures can still cause problems despite their slow nature.
• First things first, clear away any places where snails and slugs could hide during the day.
• Weedy areas, stones, wooden boards and ground covering ivy provide such shelter, and need to be removed as soon as possible.
• You would never guess that slugs like beer and wine almost as much as humans.
• Create slug traps by filling a container with beer and bury it in the ground close to the rim.
• Set as many of these traps as you think necessary based on the size of your slug problem.
• Clean and replace the traps regularly. This method can work for snails too.
• Deter them, by planting strongly scented plants such as lavender, rosemary and sage.
ENCOURAGING PREDATORS: One of the best methods of pest control is to create an environment that encourages natural predators.
• For example, centipedes will eat slugs and snails, and beetles will also go for slugs, as well as larvae and root aphids.
• Hoverflies, dragonflies and ladybirds love to eat aphids, mites and caterpillars, as do earwigs.
• Of course, it’s also a good idea to attract birds, but just pick the time of year as you don’t want them eating freshly sown seed as well!
NEEM SPRAY: Buy some Neem oil and mix about a tablespoon for every litre and add just under a tablespoon of organic insect soap or detergent.
• Use the solution immediately and make a fresh bottle every time you want to use it.
• Spray your natural pesticide on the leaves, under the leaves and around the soil.
• This is an age-old Indian remedy so trust in the power of Neem oil.
BUGS HATE GARLIC: Hang a clove of garlic around your plant or crush some garlic and create a spray. Add some water and spray away.
Garlic works well to repel flying insects as well the usual culprits like aphids.
ESSENTIAL OILS: Mix a concoction of essential oils such as thyme, rosemary and sage.
• You can crush the leaves and create your own solution from scratch or simply buy the oils. Mix the oil with water and spray on your plants.
• Certain oils are great at repelling particular insects.
• Lavender works well to repel mosquitoes.
• Use peppermint oil to deter ants and spiders.
• Try cedar oil for your moth problem.
ALCOLOL SOLOTION: Try making a solution consisting of 1 cup of rubbing alcohol to 4 cups of water. Alcohol can kill a range of pests from aphids to spider mites.
• Test the solution on a small area and check the leaves within a few days, if the alcohol has burnt the leaves then don't continue to use the solution since some plants can be more sensitive.
David
Plot 18