Pelham Gardens

Natural
Pest Control

Identify problems early, respond with the lightest effective intervention, and build a garden that defends itself.

Pest Identifier

AphidsInsect

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Severity

What you see

Soft clusters on growing tips and leaf undersides

All signs

Soft clusters on growing tips and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew; curling leaves; sooty mould follows. Early warning: ants running up plant stems in spring almost always means a colony is already present. Heavy persistent infestations can also indicate over-nitrogen feeding: high-N sap is more attractive to aphids.

Organic control

Blast with a strong hose; soap spray on leaf undersides; cut off and bin infested tips; place a piece of sweet fruit (watermelon, melon) nearby to draw ants away while you treat: ants protect aphid colonies and removing them makes treatment more effective.

Spray

Soap spray (2 tsp dish soap + 1 litre water).

Seasonal Pest Calendar

Now: Autumn

Tasks: Autumn

Fleece alliums during second allium leaf miner flight

Remove all crop debris that could harbour overwintering pests

Check garlic bulbs for white rot when planting

Set up hedgehog shelters before first frosts

NaturalPest Control

AphidsInsect

November, in your inbox.

Natural
Pest Control