Pesky Pests! |
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As we embark on summer, garden pests seem to start enjoying your garden as much as you do, but not in the way we would like! Of course some insects are very welcome in your garden but constant vigilance is what’s needed to minimise unwanted guests. In no particular order, here’s the top six pests in our region and our recommended solutions: 1. SlugsDuring dry and cold conditions, slugs remain deep in the soil but as soon as the temperature is above 5 °C, they begin to move, hatch, feed, and lay eggs. Most slugs will feast on leaves, fungus and decaying vegetable material. To tackle this pest, handpicking is obviously effective if a little unpleasant, alternatively try:
2. Vine WeevilVine Weevil is often identified by semi-circular notches eaten into the edges of leaves, most notably on evergreen shrubs like Rhododendron, Euonymus, Azalea and Camellia. Although not fatal, this damage is unsightly and a good indicator that there will be eggs, and larvae hatching in the autumn. The real damage is done by the larvae which feed on the roots, often killing the plant, especially potted and young plants. Vine Weevil can be difficult to control once established because of their nocturnal behaviour, the subterranean habits of the larvae and the lack of natural predators or parasites. To remove, we recommend:
3. Scale InsectsBrown Scale Insects are a bit like miniature turtles in shape and are about 2 to 4mm long. The older females are dark brown and are usually found along the centre vein on the under side of a leaf where they suck the sap. They attack vines, currants, cotoneasters and seem to prefer citrus and bay trees. The leaves become yellow and the shrub fails to thrive. Physical removal is the best way to tackle these unwanted pests and you may have to do it repeatedly so persistence is key. If this isn’t for you, then try:
4. Glasshouse WhiteflyWhitefly, white-winged insects about 1.5mm long, are active throughout the year and are found on the underside of leaves, flying up in clouds when plants are disturbed. Glasshouse Whitefly will thrive in the warm greenhouse, with adults feeding on sap from the undersides of the leaves which weakens the plants. Their sugary excrement (honeydew) makes the foliage sticky, producing black sooty moulds. To eradicate this pest, try:
5. AphidsThese sap-feeding insects, ranging in size from 1-7mm long, infest plants, especially on the shoot tips, flower buds and the underside of younger leaves. The foliage may be sticky due to the sugary honeydew that aphids excrete. A black sooty mould often develops on the honeydew. White cast aphid skins often accumulate on the upper leaf surface or soil beneath where the aphids are feeding. Aphid damage can result in stunted growth with curled or distorted leaves. Chemical methods of beating aphids available at the centres include:
6. MealybugsMealy bugs are small sap sucking insects which secrete a sticky residue on foliage which may result in the growth of a dark sooty mould. More commonly found on the underside of leaves, they are usually pinkish in colour but appear white due a protective waxy covering. Look out for wilted, stunted and dehydrated plants which may also be losing leaves or look on the underside of leaves and at leaf joints for colonies. Mealy bugs infest a wide range of plants which include cacti and succulents, orchids, begonias, fuchsias, tomatoes, laburnums, oleanders, palms, citrus plants, peaches and grapevine. We would advise you to use:
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