If you've seen any pests or beneficial insects in your garden in the past few days please report them to The Big Bug Hunt and help create a warning system to alert you when bugs are heading your way.
Comments
"Hi Jeremy...Whenever I see too many ants on any plant or veggie in my garden I can pretty much expect there to be aphids. I always hose them off with a strong spray of water, never insecticidal sprays. That seems to control them somewhat. It seems to me the ants are as much if not more of a problem than the aphids so it's forever war on the ants that protect them so the beneficial insects can have themselves a field day. Good composted soil has made a big difference in my garden but stopping the love affair between ants and aphids is still the biggest challenge. "
Sharon on Saturday 13 June 2009
"Sharon - Yes, I should have mentioned that ants really hate water, so spraying with water regularly really helps to keep them down. They usually just move elsewhere but that's fine as long as they are not farming the aphids as you mention."
Jeremy Dore on Saturday 13 June 2009
"Hi my garden seems to be doing fine, except my basil is being eaten and cannot figure it out, i have marigolds planted, a variety of other herbs, tomatoes, etc. what like basil?thanks"
naomi on Sunday 28 June 2009
"Naomi, The most common cause of seedlings being eaten (including basil) is slugs, so I suggest you take a look at our GrowBlog article on slugs (http://www.growveg.com/growblogpost.aspx?id=28), put down some slug beer traps and perhaps do some checks with a torch at dusk."
Jeremy Dore on Monday 29 June 2009
"Update on this article: since publishing it the national press in the UK has confirmed that we have had the worst plague of greenfly for 25 years in Britain (see http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/111040/Hot-spell-attracts-the-green-invaders). So since the numbers of greenfly are well under control in my garden now, I think the organic methods worked pretty well."
Jeremy Dore on Wednesday 1 July 2009
"thanks, jeremyi just put ladybugs in last night, i will get some beer, do i have to put the beer all over the garden or just what is being eaten, "
naomi on Wednesday 1 July 2009
"Naomi,The beer goes in slightly sunken pots or plant saucers (at least an inch deep). The edge should be about a half inch above soil level (to prevent good insects like beetles falling in) near to the crops you want to protect. You can get slug traps which do a slightly better job from most garden suppliers."
Jeremy Dore on Wednesday 1 July 2009
"can i still use soil to re-pot plant that is previously infested with aphids? I have about 5 gallons of black soil which is used for corn plant..."
aldwin on Wednesday 12 October 2011
"Some aphids (e.g. lettuce root aphid) do overwinter in soil so I would have reservations about using that soil for crops that suffer aphid damage. You could of course bury the soil so plants get the benefit but aphids can't hatch out."
Jeremy Dore on Wednesday 12 October 2011
"I have container garden with variety of ornamental, flowering and veg plants on my porche. one container has a small marigold plant which looks very healthy and suddenly i saw the leaves twisted. i saw aphids. killed some but the ants are still going round even with wood ash sprinkle and water. i am scared the marigold plant will get damaged. any suggestions. i use organic kitchen waste compost for the pots."
platty on Monday 5 May 2014
"Thanks for sharing the pointers. Aphids are the bane of my existence. I'm using a spray that I made with cayenne pepper, dish soap, and threw in a clove of garlic. Smells horrible, makes me cough when I spray but it does the trick. I also added some aluminum foil to see if this trick works:http://typearamblings.blogspot.ca/2014/05/patio-gardening-reflective-mulch.htmlHas anyone tried this method and found success with it?"
Pam on Thursday 29 May 2014
"Will my vegetables grow back after ants have eaten all the leaves off the young plants....new gardener here. Thanks!"
deanna on Tuesday 31 March 2015
"Good article. This past summer was the first time I've started an urban garden. The ants ??, and subsequent aphids, were a real battle for me! They completely destroyed my bean plants, and I've always had good success with them everywhere else that I've lived. Having said that, we DID have a serious drought, lasting 5 months, so maybe that explains the over abundance of ants. I was afraid that it was an urban problem. I now have a very tiny garden, so can't afford to be nice, and lose my crops. I've planted plenty of predator attracting flowers, but saw only one ladybird. Again, perhaps an urban problem. Then again, I think I've started the first garden ever in this garden. Fingers crossed for net year. "
Nancy on Sunday 27 November 2016
"'next' year"
Nancy on Sunday 27 November 2016
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Greetings fellow gardening enthusiasts! I'm thrilled to share my expertise in the realm of gardening, pest management, and the delicate balance of maintaining a thriving garden ecosystem. As someone deeply entrenched in the world of horticulture, I've not only studied the science behind it but have hands-on experience that spans various aspects of gardening.
Let's delve into the valuable insights provided in the article. The discourse revolves around the dynamic interplay between pests, beneficial insects, and the challenges faced by gardeners. Jeremy Dore, a knowledgeable contributor, sheds light on effective strategies and organic methods to combat common issues. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts touched upon:
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Ants and Aphids Interaction:
- Ants are highlighted as a potential problem in the garden, as they often protect aphids.
- Controlling ants is considered crucial in managing aphid populations.
- Water is suggested as a natural deterrent for ants, with a recommendation to regularly spray affected areas.
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Slug Infestation:
- Slugs are identified as a common cause of seedling damage, including to basil.
- Jeremy advises the use of slug beer traps and nighttime checks with a torch to address slug-related issues.
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Greenfly Plague:
- A reference is made to a significant greenfly plague in the UK, emphasizing the effectiveness of organic methods in controlling the infestation.
-
Beneficial Insects:
- Ladybugs are introduced as a biological control method for aphids.
- The placement of beer traps to protect crops from slugs without harming beneficial insects is discussed.
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Soil Contamination and Aphids:
- Concerns are raised about using soil previously infested with aphids for repotting plants.
- Specific aphid species, like lettuce root aphids, are mentioned to overwinter in soil.
-
Aphid Control Methods:
- Various methods for controlling aphids, including organic kitchen waste compost, wood ash, and homemade sprays with cayenne pepper, dish soap, and garlic, are shared.
-
Ants Damaging Vegetables:
- A question is posed regarding the potential regrowth of vegetables after ants have eaten the leaves off young plants.
-
Urban Gardening Challenges:
- The challenges of urban gardening, such as ant and aphid issues, are discussed, with an acknowledgment of the impact of environmental factors like drought.
-
Predator Attracting Flowers:
- Planting predator-attracting flowers is suggested as a strategy to manage pest populations naturally.
These insights, derived from both practical experience and scientific understanding, provide a comprehensive guide for gardeners grappling with pest-related challenges. As we navigate the intricate web of the garden ecosystem, it's essential to adopt sustainable and organic practices for a flourishing and resilient garden. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!
