Pests are just that – pests!

Every gardener is the victim of them at some time, but at SGA we advocate prevention where possible. Healthy vigorous plants are much more resistant to disease, so, if the pests have descended, as well as trying to get rid of them, it’s worth thinking about what you can do prevent the next lot of nuisances. Make sure that your soil is healthy, there is good air movement around plants and there is a good range of predator insects e.g. lady birds, praying mantis, visiting or dwelling in your garden. Companion planting and having a diversity of flowers and scents can attract them and also attract birds which regard many pests as food.

More Ways to Prevent Pests

There are many options available to reduce pest numbers apart from using manufactured chemicals that have various risks associated with them. Some…

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Controlling-rats-in-the-garden-with-IPM

Managing Rats with IPM

“You dirty rat!” This phrase embodies the frustration many feel towards rats in the garden. These uninvited guests seem ever-present, scuttling along…

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Prevent Pests in Your Garden

If you can prevent pests in your garden you will save time, resources and money as well as helping your garden flourish. Effective pest control is…

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Christmas Beetles

Most of us would be familiar with the brightly coloured, glossy and sometimes iridescent Christmas beetles. We often see them dazed and confused,…

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Low Impact Pest Management 101 Video

Sustainable Gardening 101 Video Series PART 3: Low Impact Pest Management Gardens are the natural habitat for all types of insects – the good, the…

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Cabbage White Butterfly

Hi, my name is: Cabbage White Butterfly, lovely to meet you... Describe yourself: I am quite a striking white butterfly, Pieris rapae, with two…

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Whitefly

Though they look like tiny white flies or moths theses little sap suckers are a relative of aphids and mealy bugs.   You know whitefly has moved into…

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Pest Repellent Plants

Every garden is sometimes afflicted with pests - grasshoppers, cabbage white butterfly caterpillars, scale and aphids being very common.  Is it…

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Sooty Mould

Hi, my name is: Sooty Mould Describe yourself: I’m definitely one of the most appropriately named pests and diseases going around...I look exactly…

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Snails & Slugs

Hi, my name is: Garden Snail Describe yourself: Like most of the snails in your garden I'm a foreigner to this land. I am a bit of a nomad,…

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Aphids

Hi, my name is: Aphid. If you would like to know more about how to control aphids, read this interview with me:

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White Curl Grub

Hi, my name is: White Curl Grub (cockchafer in the southern states)

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Earwigs

Earwigs are striking little numbers, about 12-20mm in length. They are smooth, shiny, dark chocolate brown, with sensational pale yellow legs,…

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