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IT'S BUG TIME!
The hot weather has brought on an assortment of bug related problems in the garden. How do you manage it? In today's eco friendly world there are a few simple choices for you to make in your plan of attack and to keep your garden happy and healthy. Read on faithful gardeners and we'll try and help.
GREEN EARTH INSECTICIDAL SOAP
This is the old school favourite for most pests in your garden. It controls aphids, earwigs, mealybugs, spider mites, rose and pear slugs, soft brown scale and whiteflies. This is better for your plants than using regular dish soap as it has no dyes or fragrance. This is truly the most eco choice you can make. Simply spray on affected plant preferably early in the morning or later in the evening. Never directly spray on open blooms. Repeat weekly until control is observed.
GREEN EARTH BIO-MIST GARDEN INSECT KILLER
This is a stronger version of insecticidal soap. It contains a botanical insecticide that is derived from pyrethrins. Bio-Mist kills all stages of the insects, eggs, larvae and adult. This insecticide kills a broader range of insects including aphids, asparagus beetles, aster beetles, blister beetles, cabbage loopers, cabbage worms, cucumber beetles, Colorado potato beetle, diamond back moth larvae, flea beetles, green peach aphids, leafhoppers, rose chafers, spider mites, stink bugs, web worms, whiteflies. It can be applied up to one day before harvest. Spray affected plants early morning or evening never in the heat of the day. Repeat weekly until problem is resolved.
BTK
This is an excellent product for all types of soft bodied caterpillars and worms. Some examples are cabbage worms, tomato horn worm, tent caterpillars, gypsy moth, leaf rollers, spruce bud worm. It is derived from bacillus thuringiensis. BTK is sprayed on the leaves of affected plants which the caterpillar then eats and usually dies within 2-5 days. Dilute at a rate of 30ml of BTK to 10L of water and spray affected areas.
SLUGS, SNAILS and EARWIGS
If you see holes in your leaves but no evidence of any insects then one of these may be your culprit. They love it damp and cool and are often hiding under pots, mulch or just beneath the soil during the day. A great test for determining if you have any of these critters in your garden is to get a shallow dish (like a margarine container ) and fill it part way with beer. I know this seems like a waste on these hot days but sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the sake of your garden! Place the container under the affected plant over night and see who has come for a drink in the morning. Once you've determined what you have, the 2 options you can use are Slug and Snail bait or Diatamaceous Earth. The Slug and Snail Bait is made up of pellets containing ferric sodium that are sprinkled around your affected plants or in the garden. You can actually create a barrier with these pellets.
Diatamaceous earth is a dust that is made up of diatoms. The dust contains two food grade additives, one of which attracts the insects the second affects their digestive system. This product can be used on many crawling insects; ants, bedbugs, caterpillars, cockroaches, earwigs, fleas, potato beetles, bedbugs, silverfish, slugs and sowbugs. Do not apply when heavy rains or high winds are present.
If you need our help we are always here.
Bring in your affected leaves ( in a sealed baggie please) and we will do our best to get you the right product.
If your leaves are showing black spots, rust or powdery mildew then read next week's email as I will be covering fungicides in detail.
Happy Gardening! |
