GARDEN PESTS
From page 32
“ weeds " are a part of nature. We can encourage those insects and plants that help us in the garden. Ladybirds, praying mantis, lacewings, wasps, frogs, lizards and birds all eat the insect pests that harm our gardens. Plant goldenrod, because lacewings love it. If you leave these natural predators in your garden, they will help you. It is also possible to mix vegetables with other plants, particularly strong smelling plants that deter pests and attract predators. Camphor, mints, scented pelargoniums, feverfew, African wormwood, pyrethrum, southernwood, lavender, rosemary, sage and many other herbs have spicy or bitter scents rather than sweet ones. They can also be used as aphid-repelling mulch, by spreading the leaves around newly planted seedlings. Youcanuseplantsastrap plants: nasturtiums for example, attract aphids away from other plants because they are more attractive to the pests. When actively growing amongst desirable crops, these herbs can confuse pest insects by masking attractive scents. Marigolds and garlic chives are also insect repellents. Then there are home-made sprays that you can try. If you must use insecticide sprays try to use natural remedies, so that you don ' t kill off beneficial insects at the same time. Chemical sprays also break down slowly, so their damage continues for a long time. Remember that non-toxic insect sprays are used to deter or deflect the pest, or to disturb its breeding cycle. They don ' t kill the insects. Use the following plants in your battle against aphids: aloe leaves, nettle leaves and stems, blackjack seeds, whole marigold plants, whole khakibos plant or tomato leaves. Half fill a bucket with the plant matter, add justboiled water, stir and leave to stand overnight. Strain out the leaves and stems and add them to your compost. Add two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and mix. The spray will keep for up to a month. Spray on to affected plants every few days, as the herbal insecticide will break down quickly. Be sure to spray the underside of the vegetables as well. Spray the plants and the ground surrounding the plant, as aphids might jump off or sit on the ground until it is safe to attack the plant again. The other problem with aphids is that they are sometimes protected by ants, because they have a mutualistic relationship. Aphids produce a sweet substance called honeydew, which ants collect as a food source. The ants“ milk” the aphids by stroking them with their antennae. The ants in turn protect the aphids from predators and some ants even transport aphids between plants for re-establishment when the ants move to new nesting sites. Ants therefore compound the aphid control problem.
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