Garden Magic Company Articles
The Second Most Common Garden Insect Problems and their Solutions
by Ann Barklow
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ROOT KNOT
NEMATODES |
Use extra fertilizer and water when you know Root Knot Nematodes are present. Use resistant or tolerant plant varieties. For full sun areas, soil solarization for shallow rooted crops may work. Allow garden area to go fallow for a season or rotate infected areas with nonsusceptible plants. Improve soil with compost. Nematodes can spread by dropping infected roots on soil. | |
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EARWIGS
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Tidy gardeners cause earwigs to eat plants rather that their preference such as mites, aphids, mealybugs, nematodes, insects and decaying matter. They are often blamed for damage caused by snails, slugs, and cutworms simply because they are found near the scene of the crime. | |
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SQUASHBUGS
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Difficult to control. Important to remove all debris from garden once crop has been harvested. Remove hiding places like boards and piles of trash to prevent overwintering. In early spring place boards around and in the garden. Turn boards over every morning and kill or vacuum. Rechargeable vacuums work well. Handpick all stages including eggs. | |
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GRASSHOPPERS
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Little concern unless populations build up after a wet spring. In foothills and rangeland the damage is usually limited to a few weeks in early summer. Use cones, floating row covers and other products to protect plants during infestation. | |
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CUCUMBER BEETLES
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Adult beetle prefers flowers and seedling stage. Larvae eats roots. Older plants can support substantial numbers. Grow plants as long as you can in a protected area, then place in garden. Cover as long as you can with floating row covers without interfering with pollination. | |
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STINKBUGS
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In orchards, they breed in weeds and groundcovers. Eliminate these areas in early spring before stink bug populations have built up. Grow beneficial plants to attract Tachinid flys and other predators. Handpick bugs often and destroy. Encourage sow bugs to prey on stinkbugs by leaving organic matter in your garden, such as tree trimming mulches, leaves and compost. | |
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Instead of looking for a box of beneficial insects or a can of insecticide to solve a pest problem, create a healthier environment in your garden for the plants being attacked. Research the particular plants irrigation, soil, and garden location needs such as sun or shade. Use the best compost and mulch you can find. Create a habitat for beneficial insects to visit and stay in your garden. The healthiest gardens are grown by responding to plants needs rather than reacting to a pest. Learn about the pest and discover how an environment is being created for them in your garden! |
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| Ann's Article on The Most Common Insect Problems | ||
| Text & Images Copyright © 2005 by Ann Barklow | ||