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Not all insects are created equal.
Did you know that ants farm aphids for their honeydew. Those
sweet little lady bugs actually eat other insects. We need all
insects to make our gardens beautiful and healthy, we shouldn't
strive to eliminate them just learn how to control them. We need
them for food for certain species who then in turn pollinate
our plants. Usually sick plants are often attacked in the first
place, so take extra care to make sure your plants get enough
light and water, its their source for healthy growth. Learn how
to control pests naturally using Mother Nature's own ingredients.
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Mealybugs
Special Note: They excrete honeydew that attract
ants.
Appearance: They are covered with white fuzz, Size
is varying from 1/6 to 1/4 inch in length. There are two groups:
long tailed & short tailed.
Diet: They suck the juice out of plants, their main
meal is African Violets, Gardenia, Coleus, Cactus, Begonia. They
will attack other plant types as well.
Feeding Places: Underside of leaves, leaf veins, leaf
axils.
Short tailed: lays 300-600 eggs |
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Long tailed: Gives birth to live young
Control: Weekly
spraying of water.
If you have a small amount: Dip a cotton swab in alcohol and
wipe the insects off the plants.
Heavy infestations: Dip entire plant in a solution of soapy
water.
Spider Mites
Special Note: You can tell they are present by their
tiny webs on the plants, it makes the plant look dusty. Mites
cause leaves to yellow or bronze and fall off.
Appearance: 1/60 inch long, has 8 legs and is barely
visible to the eye. They can be red, green, yellow or black.
Most common is red.
Habits: They strive in warm sunny dry locations.
Diet: They suck plant juices. Favorite meal: ivys,
coffee plants.
Reproduction: spreads quickly
Control: keep leaves clean, rinse under the leaves as
well. Wash plants regularly with a soapy water solution.
Serious infestations: dip the
plant in Malathion, if it is extremely infested discard plant.
Thrips
Special Note: Damage on plants looks like streaked
areas with black dots of excrement.
Appearance: Tiny, thin bodies
Diet: They suck the juice out of plants, feeds on leaves
and flowers.
Whiteflies
Special Note: They excrete honeydew which attracts
ants.
Appearance: Looks like miniature moths
Habits: the nymphs group together on the underside of
the leaves.
Diet: they suck plant juices, main meals are: fushia,
Nicotiana and Lantana.
Reproduction: Multiplies very quickly
Control: If your soil is deficient in phosphorus or magnesium
chances are high you will get whiteflies. An organic way to rid
of them is to paint tanglefoot on pieces of cardboard and hang
around the house or use a Rotenone spray (repeat weekly until
insects are removed.) |
