Tips on preventing garden pestsyou are on page 2 - (or go to page 1)
Some insects and bugs can be a real nuisance in the garden, especially if they are attacking our plants. Fortunately there are plenty of ways to deter these pests. Read on ... |
 | Flea Beetle These beetles can be spotted as they jump wildly when disturbed, just like fleas! They love brassicas - plants under attack include cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, turnip, swede, radish and salad rocket, as well as nasturtium and stocks. |
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| Characteristically, leaves of affected plants have tiny irregular holes, sometimes not all of the way through the leaf, so they look as if they have been shot! Seedlings and developing plants are most at risk, especially stressed plants in dry soils. |  |
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| Adults overwinter and emerge in mid Spring, so it may be wise to transplant after this time, ensuring more developed plants that are less susceptible. As they hunt by smell, repel them with strong smelling herbs grown nearby such as or plant a "trap" plant such as radish to stop the beetle devastating your preferred crop. A barrier mesh can be placed over seedlings and yellow sticky traps can be dangled around the crop to catch the bugs. Eggs are laid at the base of plants in May / June and feed before Autumn when they start to hibernate and start the cycle again. |
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 | Slugs We have a special page just about slugs! Click here! |
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 | Vine Weevil Vine weevil can devastate crops, particularly in containers. Whilst you can trap the walking adults, it is often the larvae that eat the roots of plants in containers. Organic nematodes are the best solution as they will attack the larvae in the soil. Vine Weevil Nematodes available online. |
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