Tackling pests and diseases
- It seem as if there’s always something trying to spoil your plants. If it’s not insect pests, it’s diseases like black spot.
- The best way to prevent pests from spoiling your plants is to check them regularly. That way you can stop the problem before it spreads.
- Most of the insect pests fall into two groups – they’re either sap suckers or leaf eaters.
- Sap suckers are usually small but can come in large numbers. Aphids are good examples. They suck the sugar out of the plant and they can cause twisting and curling of the leaves. It’s easy to get rid of sap suckers in the early stages by squashing them. If there are too many of them, then spray with a low toxic insect control – a systemic like Confidor is best.
- Scales are tricky sap sucking pests because they hide beneath a protective coating. Sometimes they give off a sticky waste that feeds a black fungus called sooty mould. To get rid of the mould you need to treat the insect pests with a systemic spray (Confidor) or oil (Conqueror Oil). Sometimes an old toothbrush can help remove the scales.
- Leaf eaters are easier to identify because they literally eat holes in the leaves. Caterpillars are the most common – use quick acting Yates Insect Gun – but also look out for earwigs and other chewers. Don’t forget snails and slugs as well. Watch out for those slimy trails and sprinkle Blitzem Slug & Snail pellets after wet weather.
- When your plants are attacked the most important thing is to identify the pest before you try to do anything about it. The Yates Problem Solver wall chart, Yates Garden Guide and Yates Problem Solver book are all great sources of information.
Download PDF – Tackling Pests and Diseases
