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Two-spotted Spider Mite (Red Spider Mite) (Pests)
Description: The adults are about .4mm in length. During summer the bodies are pale green with dark spots on either side, in winter they become red all over. They tend to be found on the underside of leaves but can move onto the upper surface, blossoms and developing fruit. They damage the leaves by rasping the surface and then sucking out the sap which causes the leaves to become have a yellow mottling or silvering. A tell tale sign that you have spider mite and not another sucking insect if the presence of fine webbing over the leaves.
Affects: Affects ornamentals, Apple, peach, plum, grape, citrus, strawberry, melon, tomato, artichoke, maize, onion, bean, pea, cucumber, marrow and celery amongst others.
Solution: Remove badly affected leaves, keep the area clear of weeds, water the plants from above.
Organic option is the use of commercially available predatory mites eg Phtyoseiulus persimillis.
Sulphur can be dusted on the plants before the weather gets too hot.
Note: Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Vegetable Weevil (Pests)
Description: The adult weevil is grey brown 8mm long with a grey V on its back. These emerge in spring and feed on leaves at night until summer when they hibernate until autumn. The eggs are laid in autumn and the larvae appear in winter; the larvae live in the soil during the day and come out at night to feed. They start to feed on leaves at the base of the plant but gradually more up the plant chewing at stems and leaves. They cause most damage to seedlings where they can retard growth and even kill the plant.
Affects: Brassicas, fleshy root crops and wide range of annuals and weeds.
Solution: Keep area clear of all weeds and other organic litter.
Practice crop rotation - alternate plantings with unaffected crops like bean and peas.
GK Derris Dust
Note: Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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White Fly (Pests)
Description: The young whitefly is pale yellow while the adult is white and they collect in large numbers under leaves. As sap suckers they facilitate the spreading of disease systemically, though the loss of sap and their toxic saliva also cause rapid loss of vigour in the plant. They also secrete a honeydew which encourages the formation of sooty mould.
Affects: Tomatoes, beans, cucumber and most greenhouse vegetables and ornamentals.
Solution: Hose them off in the first instance , spray with soapy water or Pest Oil
Montdorensis is an Australian predatory mite that feeds on thrips, whitefly, other small insects and mites is available commercially.
Systemic chemical sprays also suitable are Confidor, Pyrethrum. Note the Confidor is known to be harmful to bees and should not be used on or around plants that are in flower.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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White Louse Scale (Pests)
Description: Small white scales that look like desiccated coconut and are scattered over the bark of citrus plants sucking sap. This is a species of hard scale, the scales spread along branches and trunk causing severe damage if not kepted in check.
Affects: Citrus
Solution: Spray with Lime sulphur during winter.
Note: Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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White Wax Scale (Pests)
Description: These scales are of the soft variety in that they produce 'honeydew' which encourages ants and sooty mold. The scales are white and once sessile and tend to be found on twig where they suck the sap protected by the white scale.
Affects: A wide range of plants including Citrus, Gardenia and Syzigium (illypilly)
Solution: Remove infested branches and rub off any small areas of scale. If removing by hand, wear gloves as the scale leave an orange stain. It is best to remove the scale in early spring before the eggs hatch and the crawlers leave the protection of the white scale.
Spray with White Oil whilst the nymphs are still mobile in late spring.
Once the scale have are stationery and protected by the cover a mix of oil and pyrethrums have shown to work.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Winter Grass (Weeds)
Description: Wintergrass causes many problems to lawns. The grass grows during winter, produces lots of seed heads and can take over the lawn during winter. In summer it dies off leaving large bare patches to encourage more weeds to establish and places for the wintergrass to grow next season.
Affects:
Solution: Remove by hand. Keep lawn healthy and dense by watering, feeding and mowing.
There is a product by Yates the will kill Winter Grass but it can only be used on lawns of couch or buffalo. This should be used in Autumn and Winter while the wintergrass is still developing.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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