Page 52 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 125
P. 52
52 Issue #125 June 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com
Let It Grow - Problematic Pests
One of the best ways to deal
By Marion Dalley with these pests is to create an
environment with natural predators.
hew, it has been a fast and furious Birds, snakes, toads, and good
Pfew weeks of preparation and insects are all natural predators, so
planting. Now we diligently water create gardens where these creatures
and weed, hoping for a bumper will proliferate. Companion planting
crop of flowers and/or vegetables. is another way to keep bugs and bad
All seems to be progressing as it insects away from certain plants.
should, lots of growth, green leaves, Often it is a scent that draws in
and delicate flowers adorning our bad bugs and planting other, non-
landscapes. inviting scents will repel them. Crop
But wait, what are those holes rotation is almost always suggested
in the leaves of the plants, why are in vegetable gardens. The larvae of
some stems turning brown, what is bad insects may live and over winter
making that new-growth wilt so? where they enjoyed the summer
offerings, so change gardens, or at
Pesky little leaf-munching, sap-
least the location, especially with
sucking, toxin-injecting pests; those your cucurbit crops.
are your culprits!
Aphids
Best to have some knowledge
of these garden-destroyers prior to Signs that there are aphids present
actually having to deal with them. include curled leaves, stunted plant
Fore-warned is fore-armed, they say. growth, browning and wilting of Photo Submitted
plants. Aphids are tiny insects, pear-
Common gardens pests include
shaped with antennae, and vary in
aphids, slugs, squash bugs, cabbage colouring from green, brown, red,
worm caterpillars, potato beetles,
or black. Aphids suck plant juices,
Japanese beetles, and ants.
which causes damage. It is best to Slugs
remove the infected parts of the plant,
Those slimy little things. Since
leaves, stem, etc., taking the aphids slugs most often come out at night,
with them. You can hose off the plant
you will have to watch for signs
but be sure the water pressure isn’t on your plants. Generally, slugs
so much that you destroy the plant. munch away at the plant leaves,
Hand squishing is easy to do as well.
leaving irregular holes behind. They
Using a neem-based insecticide, love Hosta, cabbages, lettuces,
or horticultural soap also works to
and especially love fresh, tender
eradicate aphids. Ladybugs will eat foliage. There are several ways to
aphids, but this is only effective early
on in the infestation.
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