Pesky Pests (Insects & Diseases)

For the purposes of this article the word ‘pest’ refers to insects, slugs, snails and fungal diseases.

The First Defense is Prevention

• Choose plants that are disease resistant and do not attract insect pests.
• Keep plants healthy so that they are able to defend themselves from attack.
• Monitor plants on a regular basis so that potential problems can be nipped in the bud.

The Second Defense is Physical Control
- hand picking, sticky traps, floating row covers, etc.

• Control aphids by squashing them with your fingers or washing them off with a strong stream of water.
• Caterpillars and cut worms can be removed by hand.
• Sticky traps can capture large numbers of adult aphids, whiteflies and other insect pests.
• Floating row covers (Remay Cloth) on vegetable crops such as carrots, onions or turnips help to prevent insect infestations.
• Hand pick slugs and snails and dispose of them or capture them in traps baited with beer.

Fungal Diseases

-Remove and destroy infected leaves by hand as soon as signs of disease are noticed.
-Rake up any fallen infected leaves under plants and dispose of them in the garbage.
-Use mulches around plants to prevent fungal spores from splashing up from the soil into vulnerable foliage.
-Prune plants to open them up and improve air circulation.

The Last Resort:  Pesticides 

If all else fails pesticides can be used to alleviate the pest problem.
e.g. Aphids – spray with Insecticidal soap, pyrethrins or products that are a mixture of both.
e.g Black Spots on Roses – Spray with a fungicide registered for black spot such as Defender.