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African Black Beetle (Pests)
Description: The African Black Beetle is on of the many insects that can damage our lawns. The grass appears to need water and there may be large brown patches in the lawn.
The larvae have creamy curled bodies and a brown head. (smaller and less curled than the Christmas Beetle). These feed on roots of grasses and other plants during the warmer months causing the plants to wither and die.
The adult is a black shiny beetle about 12mm. During spring the adult feed on the crown of the plants severing the shoots from the roots killing the plant. When you examine the dead grass you will see that the dead thatch comes away in hand-fulls.
Affects: Turf Various vegetable crops including potatoes, beetroot, tomatoes, cabbages and cauliflowers.
Solution: Soaking the lawn with soapy water will bring the larvae and adults to the surface, they can then be collected by hand.
Dig over vegetable bed, remove by hand
When treating a lawn contact insecticide can be used in spring when the larvae are near the surface. Baythroid Lawn and Grub Insecticide, Chemspray Chlorban and GK Grubkil.
There is no chemical control against larvae that are eating your other plants.
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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Ants (Pests)
Description: Ants are attracted to sweet things inside and outside the house.
In the garden they feed on 'HoneyDew' a sweet syrup excreted by aphids, soft scales and mealy bugs. They so love the honey dew that they will protect the insects who produce it which allows those insects to continue to damage the plant.
Ants can be very useful in the garden, they feed on other pests (fleas, caterpillars, termites), and dead insects.
Ants usually nest in soil, next to buildings under patios and along the sides of paths. They also build nests next to plants that harbour Honey dew producing insects or plants with either ripening and/or rotting fruit or floral nectar.
Affects:
Solution: If the ants nest appears to be under your paving then a kettle of boiling water poured into the gaps between the paving will help. Take care when carrying boiling water to keep it away from children and pets.
Keep ants away from infested plants by painting the tree trunks (if stems are sensitive make collar) with sticky substances such as Tanglefoot. Check the sticky bands regularly and stir in dead ants and debris so the surface remains sticky.
Make sure that the branches are trimmed to keep them away from other plants and structures to prevent the ants finding an alternate root.
Baits are a key tool in managing ants. They contain a mix of sweet food and insecticide. The worker ants take the mix back to feed the ants in the nest. There are various types of baits, in liquid, gel or solid form, one of the least toxic contains boric acid.
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Aphids (Pests)
Description: Small oval shaped pale green, yellowish or black insects approx 2-3mm. They cluster on the tender new growth of plants and the underside of leaves, flowers and buds. They suck the sap and cause a loss of vigour, leaf distortion and prevent fruit or flowers from setting. They produce a sweety sticky liquid which encourages ants and sooty mould. They can also carry some viral diseases.
Affects: Roses and other Ornamentals, vegetables and some fruit trees. Can be seen all year in most areas of Australia but numbers increase rapidly as the weather becomes warmer.
Solution: Blast them off with a jet of water, spray with soapy water,remove weeds from around plant or squash them between your fingers. Can also make your own natural insecticide made with garlic and cayenne pepper.
Control the ants to allow natural predators to take over. Larvae of the green lacewing are wide-ranging predators that will attack and eat almost any small insects or eggs. Lacewing larvae are particularly effective at controlling aphids and can consume 60 aphids in an hour. These are available commercially.
Spray with a systemic or contact insecticide depending on plant and where the aphids are feeding. Systemic Insecticides:-Confidor, Folimat Contact Insecticides: Pyrethrum.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Confidor is know to be harmful to bees and should only be used on plants that are not in flower. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Apple Moth (Pests)
Description: A light brown moth - the female is lighter in colour again. Light brown apple moth larvae feed under the stem and on unexposed areas of the fruit leaving the fruit scarred. The larvae also bore into ripe fruit.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons - author Goldfinger820
Affects: Apples and citrus.
Solution: Pest Oil works very well. although it is petroleum based, it is the most effective and organic in that it is not absorbed into the plant, but just spreads a film over the insects and suffocates them. the oil then naturally biodegrades.
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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Azalea Petal Blight (Disease)
Description: Azalea Petal Blight is caused by fungus and is a problem move common in warm humid areas like Sydney. It ruins our wonderful display of spring flowers.
The petals develop spots, brown on the white flowers and cream on the coloured flowers. Soon the petals turn completely brown, collapse and die. The flowers remain on the stems.
Affects: Azaleas
Solution: As with many fungi there is no cure and cultural and preventative steps need to be taken to control the disease.
It is really important to remove and destroy all the infected flowers as the fungal spores remain within the collapsed flowers until the following year when conditions are again favourable.
Avoid overhead watering.
There is a preventative fungicide called Zaleton that will help control the fungus. You need to start spraying the flowers as soon as the buds emerge and continue to do so every two weeks until the flowers have finished. Like many chemicals this has toxic side effects, so read the safety sheets. Not recommended to be used by women when pregnant or trying to become pregnant
Note: Use registered fungicides with care. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Azalea Lace Bug (Pests)
Description: The adult bug is black and about 4mm in length with lace-like wings, the younger nymphal stages are more yellow in colour and have dark spines. The bugs hatch and live on the underside of the leaves where they suck sap. The upper surface of the leaves have a mottled appearance, if heavily infested the leaves can look grey. The underside of the leaves will show lots of tiny droppings. Once a leaf is damage it cannot be reversed.
Affects: Ornamentals, azaleas, rhododendrons, viburnums, flowering quince, crabapple and cotoneaster.
Solution: The best option is to use a systemic insecticide. It is important to note that Confidor should NOT be used whilst the Azalea are in flower. Confidor is harmful to bees, it affects the homing abilities.
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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Azalea Leaf Miner (Pests)
Description: Azalea Leaf Miner is a small caterpillar that tunnels inside the new soft Azalea leaves. It moves to the side of the leaves where it hides away under the curled leaf and feeds under the webbing.
You will see curled edges and brown patches on the leaves. There will also be a certain number of dead leaves
Affects: Azalea and occasionally Rhododendron
Solution: Prune off infected leaves
Use a systemic insecticide - note that Confidor has been shown to be hazardous to bees and should not be used when the plant is in flower.
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Bean Fly (Pests)
Description: The tiny black flies lay their eggs of the bean leaves. Inspection of the leaves will show tiny yellow spots where the eggs have been laid. When the larvae hatch they burrow into leaf stalks and stem causing them to become swollen, the new plants wilt and fall over; stalks break off higher up in more mature plants.
Photo: Merle Shepard, Gerald R.Carner, and P.A.C Ooi, Insects and their Natural Enemies Associated with Vegetables and Soybean in Southeast Asia, Bugwood.org
Affects: All French and Climbing Beans.
Solution: Inspect regularly and remove damaged leaves as soon as they appear. Aim not to plant beans every year.
Use a contact chemical insecticide each week from planting to flowering. The aim being to prevent any eggs being laid on the leaves. Can use a pyrethrum based insecticide like Pyrethrum or a Tau-fluvalinate based insectide like Mavrik.
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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Bindii (jojo) (Weeds)
Description: Bindii causes the most problems in lawns because the green fruit have barbed head which stick into the feet of humans and animals. The plants grow flat to the ground in a rosette formation, the leaves are feathery, the flowers and fruit are green and develop in the middle of the rosette. They grow vigorously in winter.
Affects: Major problems in lawns
Solution: Aim to prevent bindii establishment in the lawn by keeping the lawn dense and healthy.
Removal of bindii is best done in late winter(August to early Sept). They can be removed by hand if the area is not too large and the bindii too abundant. Broadleaf herbicide sprays can be used.
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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Blackfly (Pests)
Description: This is a black form of aphid. See aphid for more details
Affects: Many plants including Citrus
Solution: See aphids
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Confidor is know to be harmful to bees and should only be used on plants that are not in flower. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Blackspot - Apples (Disease)
Description: Blackspot inn apples is caused by a fungal disease (Venturia inaequalis Black patches on leaves and fruit which can cause both to grow in a distorted form. It is a disease that becomes worse with a combination of high temperatures and lot of rain.
Affects: Apple trees
Solution: Remove diseased fruit and leaves by hand and destroy.
Lime Sulphur can be used during the dormant period to late bud swell. ( Do not use later as can restrict growth)
A systemic fungicide like Triforine can be used as a preventative spray within three days of warm rainy weather.
Note: Use registered fungicides with care. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Blackspot - Citrus (Disease)
Description: Black and irregular and sunken patches on citrus fruits particularly Valencia Oranges.
Affects: Citrus
Solution: Spray with a copper based fungicide at petal fall. The copper forms a barrier to prevent the fungal spores attaching, so spray prior to infection. The copper remains on the surface we will need to be reapplied if the conditions are wet. Do not apply to much copper as this can damage the fruit.
Note: Use registered fungicides with care. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Blackspot - roses (Disease)
Description: A fungal disease (Diplocarpon rosae) that forms on rose leaves and stems displaying as a growing patch of purple to black. Eventually the leaves will die and drop off. It is worse in warm humid conditions
Affects: Roses
Solution: Choose more resistant varieties.
Collect any diseased leaves and prune away badly diseased part of plant,place in the garbage as the spores will remain long in your garden to re-infect other healthy plants. Avoid watering overhead
During early spring spray plants with either a fungical soap or wettable Sulphur, reapply regularly and after rain.
Note: Use registered fungicides with care. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Boron deficiency (Disease)
Description: Although plants require very small amounts of Boron. The effects caused by a lack of Boron can be quite dramatic. As gardeners the time we see it most is when we are growing vegetables.
Cauliflowers can the flower head may not develop properly or the stalk develop a hollow stem.
Beetroots will often develope roots with a distorted surface and dark rough patches. Other root crops like turnip and swede can also develop hollows within the root.
Affects:
Solution: The key to successful growth of vegetable susceptible to boron deficiency is to add boron to the soil at the time of planting. Boron is commercially available as Borax - do add too much use only 2g per sqm and mix into soil before planting the seedlings.
It is important to know that many vegetables don't like too much boron and may not grow well in beds where boron has been added. Avoid planting potatoes, tomatoes, french beans, celery and certain members of the cucurbitaceae family.
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Botyritis Blight (in marigolds) (Disease)
Description: Botyritis Blight affects Marigolds (Tagetes) in late summer and autumn and in other periods of high humidity. Sometimes known as Grey Mould, it will decimate a plants in a relatively short time.
Affects: The foliage will turn blotchy grey and the blooms will decrease in size and start to rot, tending to die off quickly as the plant cannot transfer enough energy through he foliage.
Solution: You can try to spray with Garlic laced water or Neem Oil. Better to remove the entire plants and any foliage debris surrounding, put it in a bag and burn or dispose of in garbage., taking care not to shake any off to re-infect other plants.
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Bracken Fern (Weeds)
Description: Perennial - Pteridium aquilinum or P. esculentum. Bracken is a large fern, growing up to one metre high. Ferns have fronds, made up of smaller leaflets with small pinnae (tiny mini-leaves) on them. Bracken grow in large colonies in fields, brushy areas, and woods. They have thick root-like stems, called rhizomes, underground. Rhizomes can grow six feet long, and many fronds may grow from one rhizome. Each rhizome also has tiny, hair-like, black roots on it.
Affects: Bracken can grow very densely crowding out and shading other species. It is potentially poisonous to livestock; one can lead to brain damage in horses, pigs and sometimes sheep and the other can cause cancer of the bone marrow and bladder mainly in cattle.
Solution: Remove new fronds as they reach the unfurled stage. Slashing the fronds every 4 weeks during spring and summer will gradually weaken the plants.
There are herbicides available. A list of recommended chemicals and application techniques can be found in the Industry & Investment NSW publication Noxious and Environmental Weed Control Handbook. For full details on the use pattern of these herbicides, consult the product labels.
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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Bronze Orange Bug (Pests)
Description: When young they are thin green and transparent in later stages of development they become pink and then orange with a black spot, the adults are bronze to dark brown and winged. They produce foul smelling secretions. These bugs suck the sap from the plant they prefer the new growth and the stalks of the fruit and flowers. This leads to necrosis of new shoots and fruit and flowers fall.
Affects: Citrus
Solution: The adults can be removed by hand and drop in bucket of soapy water ( wear gloves the insects leave a yellow/brown stain) - It is easier to remove them when they are still at the orange nymph stage as they are easier to see. Some people recommend removal using a vacuum cleaner, but don't use your best cleaner!
The best time for chemical control is during winter /early spring whilst the bugs are in an early nymph stage, thin, green and fragile. Use Pest Oil to spray tree, aiming for the underside of leaves where the young hide.
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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Brown Lace Lerp (Pests)
Description: The Brown Lace Lerp feeds on Eucalyptus trees.
Insect is a small psyllid that lives under a small shell-like cover called a Lerp. It is a sap sucker and attaches itself to the leaf blade. The leaves then develop yellow blocky patches that turn brown. The leaves gradually turn completely brown and fall. In severe cases the tree can look as if it has been scorched by fire.
Affects: All Eucalyptus particularly Eucalyptus robusta. Stressed trees are more susceptible.
Solution: Treatment of the tree will depend on its size. If the tree is very large then reduce the stress and improve the health of the tree.
If the tree is small then Pest Oils, contact or Systemic are possible option. Of course will also need to improve the tree's health at the same time.
If you cant save the tree and need to remove then replace it with a resistant species
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Brown Rot (Disease)
Description: It displays as small cankers on branches and stems which exude a sticky gum. The blossoms turn brown, wilt and die. The fruit show small brown patches with light brown powdery spores on them, within 3-5 days will be completely rotten.
Affects: Stone Fruit
Solution: Prune away infected areas of plant. Remove all infected fruit and destroy. Avoid overhead watering. Check best time for pruning and prune to create a shape that allows for good air circulation and access to sprays.
Use a preventative fungicide at Leaf Curl Copper Fungicide, Gk Copper Spray + white oil.
Note: Use registered fungicides with care. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Bryobia Mite (Pests)
Description: Eggs laid on the rough surfaces of bark and in fork of branches in winter. Mites hatch in spring, for first few days are bright red but gradually turn brown. The mites feed on the upper surface of the new growth and give the leaves a mottled appearance. The new leaves can fail to grow.
Affects: Apples Pears and some stoned fruit trees.
Solution: The best time to control these mite is before they hatch. During winter spray the trees with White Oil - pay special attention to rough areas of bark and the forks in tree. If application was missed or unsuccessful use a miticide as soon as mites are detected, try wettable sulphur.
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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Budworms (Pests)
Description: There are many different species of Budworm and these tend to be species specific.
The adult moth is an undistinguished grey brown and only seen at night. It is the larvae of this pest that causes all the damage to flowers, flower buds and fruit. The larvae chews its way through the soft plant tissue and leaves behind tell-tale tunnels and dying flowers or fruit.
The larvae varies in colour depending on the host plant but all have smooth bodies with light coloured stripes along the body.
These insects have a short life cycle with many generations each year and consequently can cause much damage.
Photo credit: Jeff Hahn University of Minnasota extension
Affects: A wide range of plants including tomatoes, sweetcorn, beans, gardenia, roses and carnations
Solution: This can be a difficult pest to control because once the larvae has tunneled into the flower or bud it is protected from insecticides.
If there are only a few they can be removed by hand.
Fortunately there is an effective biological control, however it needs to be used every 7-10 days over a several weeks to catch the larvae before they start tunnelling. This control is called Dipel it is a pathogenic biological control, the bacteria cause paralysis of the larvae's digestive track and stops it eating and dies. This will not cause any damage to any other insects or animals.
Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Cabbage Aphids (Pests)
Description: These very destructive aphids are greyish green with a whitish-grey covering of wax which repels water. They multiply quickly in the crevices close to the stem making the leaves turn turn yellow. Severe infestations can limit growth and even kill younger plants.
Affects: All cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli. They will be most prevalent after a warm winter.
Solution: If a small infestation then blast them out with a fine jet of water or squash between fingertips. Undersow with clover which will deter them getting a foothold.
If thats too late then spray with Confidor. Two sprays a week apart are required and ensure you get into every little crevice.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Confidor is know to be harmful to bees and should only be used on plants that are not in flower or next to plants that are in flower. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Cabbage Moth (Pests)
Description: This moth (plutella xylostella) has brown mottled wings, the larvae of this moth are green and about 12mm in length and can damage a wide variety of crops. The larvae (caterpillars) tunnel into the leaves and chew holes leaving a fine clear layer of leaf (window pane effect) The larvae move towards the youngest and softest leaves as the plant grows.
Affects: Cabbage, onions, beets, marigolds cucumbers carnations, lettuce, tomato, radish, rhubarb, potato and spinach.
Solution: Organic /non Chemical controls work well against this insect. Dipel is a biological insecticide that damages the gut cells of the larvae to stops them feeding; this is sprayed over crops. Derris dust is a natural insecticide and can be dusted over infected plants. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
Chemical options would be to use a Tau-fluvalinate based insecticide like Mavrik.
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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Cabbage White Butterfly (Pests)
Description: The cabbage white butterfly (pieris rapae) has creamy white wings approximately 32–47 mm in width and distinctive a black spot. It lays eggs that emerge as caterpillars that are yellowish green and approx 30mm in length. The larvae tend to feed on the outer leaves of the plants at night. Visible signs will be holes in the leaves and dropping at the base of the leaves of older plants; in younger plants they are eat all the new growth and destroy them.
Affects: Cabbages,cauliflowers, broccoli, kale, radish and mustard crops. Also can be found of nasturtians, stocks and wallflowers.
Solution: Use Organic/ non-chemical alternatives to control these insects.
DiPel should be sprayed on plants at first signs of caterpillars feeding. Dipel is a biological insecticide that damages the gut cells of the larvae to stops them feeding. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
Chemical options would be to use a Tau-fluvalinate based insecticide like Mavrik.
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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Camellia Leaf Gall (Disease)
Description: This is a fungal infection. The leaves become pale, swollen and enlarged, eventually the lower epidermis splits releasing spores into atmosphere. (see GardensOnline Blog for more photos)
Affects: The affects the new leaves of Camellia (and sometimes Gardenia) during the spring. It will not affect older leaves so does not affect the whole plant
Solution: There is no chemical solution. It is important to cut off and destroy the infected leaves before the epidermis splits and releases the spores.
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Caterpillars (Pests)
Description: In general they are bright green and feed on the underside of leaves by anchoring their butt and then waving around in a circle to munch. They can grow to 4cms in length.
Affects: Affects all brassicas like Cabbage, Pak Choi, Cauliflower, etc + tomato, beans, peas, mint, dahlia, geranium and many more.
Solution: If only a few they can be removed by hand. Alternatively, use organic / non chemical options, DiPel or Derris Dust. Dipel is a biological insecticide that damages the gut cells of the larvae to stops them feeding. Derris Dust - Controls most chewing and sucking insect pests, including caterpillars, on vegetables and flowers. It is particularly effective against white butterfly.
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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Catsear or Flatweed (Weeds)
Description: Catsear is a broad-leafed weed, it is sometimes know as the false dandelion. Found often in lawns and beds. It has tooth-like lobed dark green leaves that are covered in fine hairs. The leaves form a prostrate rosette around central taproot. The root has contractile roots which pull the plant back into the soil and make it hard to remove. The flower stems are forked with several yellow flowers, the fruit head consists of a fluffy ball of many seeds each with its own parashute.
Affects:
Solution: Keep lawn healthy and well fed during the warmer months.
Remove by hand, just use a long gardeners knife to dig around the root and pull it out.
Use a broadleafed herbicide on lawn.
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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Chickweed (Weeds)
Description: This is a broad-leafed scrambling annual. The leaves are quite small, bright green and ovate in shape, the flowers are small and white.
It tends to grow well in areas with regular moisture in full sun to part shade, often seen in nursery pots, flower beds and some cultivated crop areas.
Affects: It is the host of the Western Flower Thrip which can carry the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus.
Solution: Removal by hand where possible. Can be controlled in lawns by mowing.
Selective Broad-leafed Herbicide can be used if lawns heavily infested.
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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Christmas Beetle (Pests)
Description: The larvae has a white curled shaped body ( often referred to as the white curl grub). The larvae live in the soil and feed on roots particularly grasses and pot plants. The adult beetle has a brown metallic sheen about 25mm in length. They are active between November and January, they leave a sawtooth pattern on the leaves. Not normally a problem unless the ratio of grass land to eucalyptus trees in very high; in those situations they have been known to destroy all the leaves.
Affects: Adults - Eucalytptus Larvae - roots
Solution: Remove by hand and leave for the birds to enjoy. Throw a damp hessian cloth over the lawn at night, in the morning the grubs congregating under the cloth can be removed.
When digging your veggie patch or transferring compost it is worth removing the grubs whenever you see them. You can pour soapy water over the lawn to bring them to the surface. Adults tend to have moved on by the time the devastion is noticed and spraying is them too late.
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Citrus Gall Wasp (Pests)
Description: Evidence of these pest can be seen as galls ( swellings) on the newer stems, they become obvious in early summer.
The galls are the plants response to the small gall wasp larvae feeding and then pupating within the stems.
In Sept and October the adult wasps emerge through holes in the gall and lay their eggs into soft young twigs. The cycle begins again.
In some areas Citrus Gall Wasp is a Proclaimed Pest and must be controlled or growers face heavy fines.
Affects: All varieties of cultivated citrus
Solution: The only form of control is to remove and destroy the infected branches and twigs before the 31st August.
This date is chosen to ensure that the branches are removed before any of the wasps are able to hatch. The galls need to be burnt or placed in a black plastic bag in the sun for several days to ensure the wasps have killed. Do not put them in your compost or dispose of until you have killed the adults.
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Citrus Leaf Miner (Pests)
Description: Citrus Leaf Miner as the name indicates is a pest that affects Citrus Trees. The young leaves become become distorted and the older leaves show tell tale sliver trails across the under and or upper surface.
The trails are caused by a small larvae that hatch within the leaf and form tunnels by chewing through the inside of leaf. They then pupate under the curled edges of the leaf. The adult female emerges, mates and lays her eggs in the soft new leaves and so the cycle continues several times during the warmer summer months
Affects: Citrus
Solution: The best solution is to stop the adult moth laying eggs into the new leaves. Spraying the new growth with Pest Oil will prevent the adult landing on the leaf and laying her eggs.
It is only necessary to spray the new leaves as the adult cannot make a hole in the tough older leaves. You will need to spray the new growth regularly during the main growing season.
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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Clover (Weeds)
Description: Common, fast spreading, broadleaved weed with distinctive three leaflets and globular creamy pom-pom flowers. Clover is a member of the Fabaceae family which means it root can fix nitrogen, it does well in poorly fertilized gardens. It is grown by some vegetable growers between crops to improved the nitrogen levels of the soil between plantings.
One method of preventing clovers from taking hold is to make sure your lawn is growing strongly and is well fertilised during the warmer, growing months.
Affects:
Solution: Keep lawn healthy and well fed during the warmer months.
Remove by hand.
Use a broadleafed herbicide on lawn.<
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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Author: Bob Saunders.