Copyright (c) Brian Rondel, GrowIt Gold, Innovative Thinking Software, All Rights Reserved
Although there are pests in the garden that devour and spoil our precious plants, nature has provided her own control with other bugs that eat many of the pests we wish to eliminate.
For this reason it is not necessary to kill every bug in sight as many of them are our friends.
Ladybirds consume up to 60 aphids per day and the lavae consume up to 30 aphids per day.
Also Lace-wing flies, praying mantis, small wasps and many birds consume a variety of pests and contribute to a natural balance in the insect world.
Many of the chemicals available to control these pests are as toxic to humans, birds and other wild life, as they are to these insects and bugs.
There is an equal number of natural remedies which have proven effective, in some cases more effective, in controlling pests and without poisoning our environment.
For this reason I do not intend to list the chemical controls available to eliminate all the unwanted pests from our gardens. These chemicals are available from most garden centres and nurseries, some less toxic than others, and some so toxic as to be devastating to our environment, to wild life and to us.
The choice is entirely yours, the remedies I have outlined are all natural and non-toxic. Should you wish to use chemicals, please read the instructions that come with these products, and be ever careful to the harm you may inadvertently cause to yourselves, your children and the wild life.
The main diseases you will come across will be fungus diseases. In most cases it will only require you to remove the infected leaves and burn them. Should you wish to use chemicals to treat the problem then the following treatments are provided. There is no treatment for viral infections, although there are some chemical treatments that can be used to help avoid viral infections. These are also listed.
Powdery Mildew -> Powdery mildew appears with an ash-like growth over the foliage. It deforms young shoots including those of melons, cucumbers, marrows, crepe myrtles and roses and may also cause premature leaf fall. Spray with Bordeaux or copper Oxychloride.
Downy Mildew -> Downy mildew is evident by the tufts of whitish mycelium under the foliage of grapes, melons, onions etc. Leaves go brown and crimp downwards and sometimes wither at the tips. Spray with Zineb, Maneb, or Bordeaux.
Black Spot On Roses -> Obvious black spots on the leaves which later are surrounded by yellow, often causing the leaves to fall prematurely. Spray with Zineb, Captan or combination sprays.
Rust -> There is no cure for rust on snapdragons or calendulas but spraying with Zineb may prevent this happening. For Roses, geraniums, beans etc remove the infected leaves and spray with Zineb.
PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CONTAINERS CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT (AND IT MAY WELL DO)
| Herb/Bug Companions | Make your own Natural Sprays | Safe animal repellents | |
Two 60-Watt Lifetime Bug Bulbs
Clothes Moth Alert
Trap moths and pests before they damage your clothes or food.
Wasp Trap
Just bait the jar and the wasps or flies crawl in and stay trapped.
Six Mosquito Dunks
The floating Dunk kills mosquito larvae without harmful poisons.
Garden Toad House
This whimsical stoneware shelter provides an environment toads love.
Live Ladybugs
Offer ladybugs their own hibernation nooks and crannies with our stained pine Ladybug Village.
Victorian Toad House
This whimsical stoneware shelter provides an environment toads love.
Sonic Mole Chaser
Our Mole Chaser gets rid of burrowing rodents in your yard.
Deer Off' Spray, 32 oz.
Deer Off' effectively repels deer and other pests for up to 3 months.
Garlic Clips, 25 Pack
Deer and Rabbits Won't Get Past the Smell Deer and rabbits have a sense of smell a hundred times greater than ours, so just imagine how they react to these powerful garlic repellent clips! They're made with a concentrated garlic oil that is 1,000 times stronger than garlic juice, yet is organic a
Slug-X Trap
Moveable Trap Kills 50 Slugs Overnight! Leave it to a gardener in rainy England to improve on the tried-and-true “beer cup” method of trapping slugs. The Slug-X Trap has a low roof that keeps beer bait fresh and concentrates its enticing aroma. Inside, three large reservoirs dispatch an army
Cat Scat, set of 5
Pantry Bug Trap, set of 2
Here's a safe, non-toxic way to help keep flour, cereals, and pet food free of pesky meal moths. The disposable cardboard trap lures moths with a natural sex lure, trapping them on the sticky surface inside. Keeps your pantry moth-free. Earth-friendly, non-chemical insect control. Effective for up to three months. Traps have two-year shelf life, if unopened.
Two Fruit Fly Traps with Soapstone Box
Unlike sticky, unsightly flypaper, our Fruit Fly Traps are enclosed in a tasteful hand-carved soapstone box. The all-natural, non-toxic lures are simple to use, mess-free and safe around food. Flies are trapped out of sight. After a month you simply throw the trap away. Set includes 1 Soapstone Box and 2 Fruit Fly Traps. Traps are safe to use around food. Each non-toxic lure lasts one month. Box can also hold potpourri or jewelry. Additional traps also available.
Roach Traps, set of 9
It's tempting to go all out with chemical sprays when you spot disgusting, disease-carrying roaches in the house, but you don't need them. These non-toxic traps work with a natural attractant to lure roaches to a sure and sticky end. Each trap lasts 2 months; you get over a year's supply. Set of 9 disposable traps for under $10! Clean and easy to use. Safe around food. Rids your home of roaches without risking your family's health.
Silverfish Traps, set of 12
Silverfish are attracted by starchy foods, photos and old paper, and they can ruin valuable books and mementos before you even know they're around. Stop infestations before they start with these safe, non-toxic traps. They use a natural lure to attract pests, then trap them on the sticky inside surface. Each disposable trap lasts up to 3 months; set of 12 gives you 3 years of protection. Protect valuable books and photos from being ruined by silverfish. Safe for use around food. Non-toxic d
Mosquito Trap
Stop mosquito outbreaks before they happen with this innovative trap. It uses a powerful pheromone to lure fertile female mosquitoes inside, getting rid of them and their thousands of young. Easy to use; simply add rainwater or pond water and a handful of grass clippings and the lure to the trap. Traps disease-carrying mosquitoes! Breaks the egg-laying cycle. Uses a powerful pheromone lure. 1/2-gallon trap includes one 6-week lure. Additional Mosquito Lures sold separately (set of 2).
Slug and Snail Trap & Bait
The only thing more repulsive than a live slug is a dead one. This professional-quality trap has a removable inner chamber you simply lift out, empty, and rinse clean. What's more, the trap sits underground so it practically disappears in the garden; only the earth-colored lid is visible. You'll never again have to touch a slimy slug! Removable inner chamber rinses clean. Lid is self-locking to keep out rainwater and animals. Includes 6-month supply of all-natural, non-toxic bait. Bait is eco-fr
Wasp Trap
Just bait the jar and the wasps or flies crawl in and stay trapped.
Mosquito Power Trap
Why do mosquitoes love you' They're attracted by the scent of your breath. This chemical-free, propane-powered Mosquito Power Trap uses moist carbon dioxide, scented octenol, and heat to mimic human breath. Mosquitoes and biting flies are irresistibly drawn to it, where they're vacuumed into a remov
Fruit Fly Traps, set of 2
Keep fruit flies away for up to four weeks with these decorative traps.
 | Hinder Repellent - $ 20.99 About the Hinder Repellent: Hinder Repellent comes in a 1 quart concentrate that can be mixed with 5 gallons of water and sprayed or painted on. You should apply before feeding damage occurs for best results. Active ingredient : 13.8% ammonium soaps of higher fatty acids. |
