Controlling Pest is a Job Never Finished - Part #2

If you missed Controlling Pest - Part #1- click here

Mites A Serious Plant Pests

Mites constitute one of our most serious garden pests, so you should also have a package of a mite killer on hand. Mites will infest many plants, including evergreens such as spruce, hemlock and andromeda, as well as roses, shade trees and perennials. Several materials have been specifically developed to control mites, and malathion, already mentioned as a good insecticide, will also control them.

Gardeners who take pride in having a fine lawn, or those who aspire to have one, should get a supply of any one of several insecticides known to do a good job of controlling such soil infesting insects as chinch bugs, ants and all sorts of grubs, especially the Japanese beetle grub.

I suggest you purchase the granulated form for lawn use. The active ingredient in this material is adsorbed on granular particles of an inert carrier and is thus easy to apply with fertilizer spreader.

Insofar as fungicides are concerned, captan is a good general one to have around. Effective against such fungus diseases as blackspot of roses, apple scab and black rot of grapes. They will not control mildew diseases, however. For mildews there is an organic chemical various controls sold under the a variety of trade names. Although this material can be used with good effect after the mildew actually appears on such plants as roses, chrysanthemums and lilacs, best control is obtained when it is used periodically and is applied before the mildew becomes very prevalent.

Very often you might find it desirable to combine several insecticides and fungicides to control both insect pests and fungus parasites. Before you do this, however, you had better read the directions carefully or secure a spray compatibility chart from your state college of agriculture or garden center. Sometimes materials are not compatible and you may do some damage.

If you do not want to purchase the separate ingredients and mix them together, you can always get a ready mixed combination spray.

The Sprayer makes a Difference

The right sprayer can reduce the time required for the job of pest and disease control and actually make it a pleasant chore. Bear in mind that no matter what type you select, it must be capable of applying a uniform coating of spray and it must be easy and safe to handle. To be protected from insects and parasitic fungi and bacteria, plants must be thoroughly coated with the insecticide or fungicide. You must first decide whether you want to apply the materials in powder form, or a sprayer for liquid applications. Each type has its advantages. In fact, many gardeners own both.

In sprayers, too, there is a type and size for every garden. They range from hand atomizers for house plants up to big power sprayers for large gardens and estates.

The small household-type hand sprayer is quite satisfactory for a few plants or small gardens. The better ones in this category deliver a continuous mist and are constructed entirely of heavy plastic or stainless steel.

Most widely used in the average garden are the compressed-air sprayers of 1 - 3 gallon capacity. These are pumped up before use to supply the necessary pressure to propel the liquid. Another type of backpack sprayer the is maintained at a constant level by pushing a lever up and down while spraying, the heavier ones are carried on two-wheel carts, or mounted on say a golf cart and includes a small battery pump.

Some of the DIY spraying apparatus are designed for attachment to the garden hose or house faucet, so that the flow of water dissolves or dilutes the insecticide in an attached jar or cartridge and then applies the diluted solution to the plants.

With the “green movement” many people are now looking at natural pests control options like organic Neem oil which I have used on orchids and all my indoor and outdoor plants with great success.

Part 1 on Controlling Pest

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