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 are described in another article on our website

Traps

Sticky Insect Traps

Commercial ones are available, but you can make your own following instruction/s on many websites.  Hang in locations with problem pests and monitor or replace when necessary.  However, some of these may trap beneficial insects.

Snail/Slug (Gastropod) Traps

For snails/slugs, place cardboard/wooden/plastic board or flowerpot on ground in damp spot in garden. After 1 or 2 days lift and remove snails/slugs congregated underneath.

For slaters and earwigs as well as snails ad slugs make a container with holes near the top. Place it so that the bottom of holes is level with  the ground – cover to keep rain out. Add beer or sweet liquid and vegetable oil to drown pests. Clear out trap regularly.

Bug Zappers

Plug in to 240v power point to attract and then electrocute insects. Locate these away from food preparation/cooking areas.  Please note that the environmental impacts of these are not clear.  Although they do not involve spraying chemicals, they may kill beneficial insects and they may use carbon-emitting electricity.

Barriers

Fruit Bags

Bag fruit individually or in clusters on trees to exclude pests. They available commercially in many shapes, sizes and colours and have draw strings to encase fruit.

Wood Ash

Mounded around the plants you want to protect, wood ash can be an effective barrier. Create a thick layer around plant for protection. Replace when damp or depleted.  But make sure that the ash was a result of an essential wood burning activity, otherwise it could be the result of an unnecessary carbon-polluting activity.

Netting

Use 5mm x 5mm (or smaller) netting pulled taut over a frame/structure around the plant. You will need to construct a frame – it could be from wood or metal posts. And you will need some easy-to-unfasten clips to ensure that the netting remains attached to the frame in all weathers but allows you to gain access to the plant.

Corrugated Cardboard

Wrap a corrugated cardboard collar around base/trunk of tree/plant and secure with tape or string. This approach has less environmental impact than netting since it is biodegradable. Replace periodically over pest breeding season.

Wobbly Fences

Put wobbly wire around plants you wish to protect from possums. Such a fence can be easily constructed by fastening chicken wire around 3 or 4 posts without the need for stretching.

Corrugated Iron on Paths

This deters deer which don’t like walking on  surfaces that are unstable and make noise when trodden on.  Try to use old recycled iron.

Repellents and Attractants

Decoys

Decoy plants may be planted earlier than the main crop to entice insects.  They can then be removed and the main crop planted. They can also be planted around the outside of a crop as insects usually start from the outside. Artificial cabbage white butterflies can deter live ones for some time.  They should be moved regularly.

Visual Bird Deterrents

Try hanging moving or reflective materials in trees such as lights, mirrors, reflectors, reflective tape, flags, rags, streamers, lasers, dog/human/scarecrow/large hawk models. These will need to be replaced or alternated since birds quickly become used to them and will resume normal activities such as eating fruit.

Manual

These approaches have subsidiary benefits such as requiring you to do some physical activity, such as those below, which are great for your health.

Removal by Hand

Look for pests and use your fingers to squash or remove them. For snails and slugs pick them up and put in a bucket of water containing soap or detergent.  This kills any eggs inside the snails and they can later be composted.

Water Jet or Hose

Hose pests off affected plants – e.g. Aphids can be easily removed and will not return.

Fly Swat

Use swat to squash insect against a hard surface. Unfortunately, this approach requires the insect pest to land on a wall, fence or the ground and you will need to spend time waiting for a suitable moment.

Pruning

If it is possible, remove the heavily infested section of the plant.

Beneficial Agents

Introduce Predatory Insects or Parasites

It is possible to purchase insects and other organisms which will attack pest insects in your garden from a number of suppliers. These include parasitic wasps to prey on aphids, predatory wasps to attack scale insects and wasps that parasitise certain flies.