Garden Pests and Diseases
Prevention is better than cure and by making the conditions in your garden less favourable to pests and diseases, you are doing exactly that. Maintenance activities such as pruning and trimming, and continuous monitoring of your garden can assist in controlling the spread of pests and disease.
Pests
There are many insects that we share our gardens with. Insects such as aphids, beetles, caterpillars, moths, slugs and snails are all part of the food chain, providing nutritious food for birds and small reptiles. For most of the time the birds will assist in keeping insect numbers low. Yet occasionally, insects can grow into such large numbers that they can do some devastating damage to your plants and crops. Different insects cause damage in their own ways, depending on their lifecycle. Although easy and convenient to spray an off-the-shelf pesticide, there are other less severe measures that are just as effective at controlling insects. Thankfully, in recent years, organic pest control solutions are beginning to make their mark. The organic pest control methods we use in the garden include the following:
• Pyrethrum – Pyrethrum is a natural occurring product in certain types of plants
• White oil – oil (and certain soaps) block the breathing pores of the insects so they suffocate
• Dipel – bacterial based pesticide that doesn’t harm bees, birds, fish, ladybirds, mammals and pets
• Eco products from OCP
When using pesticides, always follow the instructions on the label and spray only when wind conditions are light.
Pests
There are many insects that we share our gardens with. Insects such as aphids, beetles, caterpillars, moths, slugs and snails are all part of the food chain, providing nutritious food for birds and small reptiles. For most of the time the birds will assist in keeping insect numbers low. Yet occasionally, insects can grow into such large numbers that they can do some devastating damage to your plants and crops. Different insects cause damage in their own ways, depending on their lifecycle. Although easy and convenient to spray an off-the-shelf pesticide, there are other less severe measures that are just as effective at controlling insects. Thankfully, in recent years, organic pest control solutions are beginning to make their mark. The organic pest control methods we use in the garden include the following:
• Pyrethrum – Pyrethrum is a natural occurring product in certain types of plants
• White oil – oil (and certain soaps) block the breathing pores of the insects so they suffocate
• Dipel – bacterial based pesticide that doesn’t harm bees, birds, fish, ladybirds, mammals and pets
• Eco products from OCP
When using pesticides, always follow the instructions on the label and spray only when wind conditions are light.
Peach leaf curl
Diseases
Start by choosing the right plant for the position and make sure that it’s getting the right amount of water and sunlight. As many diseases have similar symptoms it can be often difficult to ascertain what disease you are exactly dealing with. Generally, there are two main causes for plant disease: environmental conditions and parasites. Diagnosing the disease works via a process of elimination:
There are many online and text resources available to help you diagnose and solve a problem. If you are still unsure, contact your plant supplier or local horticulturalist.
Start by choosing the right plant for the position and make sure that it’s getting the right amount of water and sunlight. As many diseases have similar symptoms it can be often difficult to ascertain what disease you are exactly dealing with. Generally, there are two main causes for plant disease: environmental conditions and parasites. Diagnosing the disease works via a process of elimination:
- What are the symptoms (i.e. black spots, wilting, white circular patches, yellowing leaf)
- Is the plant growing in optimal conditions (dry/wet/sunny/shade/soil/exposure/shelter)
- Is the plant susceptible to any plant specific diseases?
- What has the weather been like lately?
- What has been or is happening around the plant?
- Are other plants nearby affected?
- Are there any signs of insects on the plant?
There are many online and text resources available to help you diagnose and solve a problem. If you are still unsure, contact your plant supplier or local horticulturalist.
Sooty mould - caused by excrements of aphids
Signal Headings - How hazardous is a certain pesticide?
Signal Headings indicate the hazard level of the pesticide. This table shows the hazard levels corresponding with the signal heading on the packaging of a herbicide or pesticide, as well as their corresponding schedules.
Each pesticide will also have a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). This sheet contains technical information about the substance as well as the purposes of its use.
MSDSs are reviewed every five years. The manufacturer or importer must make a MSDS sheet available to you.
The MSDS contains the following information:
Always read the label and follow the directions.
Signal Headings indicate the hazard level of the pesticide. This table shows the hazard levels corresponding with the signal heading on the packaging of a herbicide or pesticide, as well as their corresponding schedules.
Each pesticide will also have a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). This sheet contains technical information about the substance as well as the purposes of its use.
MSDSs are reviewed every five years. The manufacturer or importer must make a MSDS sheet available to you.
The MSDS contains the following information:
- The Product name, supplier and recommended uses
- Hazard level
- Information on ingredients
- First Aid measures, safe handling and storage information, fire fighting measures
- Personal protection and exposure controls
- Environmental toxicity
Always read the label and follow the directions.
