Extension

One of the biggest concerns gardeners have in the landscape is controlling insects. Although some insects are beneficial for gardens, others can wreak havoc in a short amount of time.

 

Often, gardeners reach for the nearest container of insecticide in an attempt to control pests; however, there are more eco-friendly ways to keep pests away. This column will focus on mechanical control, which is the use of hands-on techniques, simple equipment and devices that provide a barrier. Next week will cover insecticidal soaps, oils and diatomaceous earth.

 

1. Handpicking: This is the removal of insects and egg masses by hand. It is especially effective with foliage-feeding insects such as squash bugs, hornworms and bean beetles. While it does require physical labor, handpicking is the least expensive of all organic or natural control practices. A disadvantage is that handpicking must take place before insect damage is noticeable. Active monitoring is required before insect populations get too high.
2. Exclusion devices: Nets, row covers and other physical barriers can help keep plants safe from harmful insects and birds. Paper collars placed around the stems of plants will help prevent cutworm damage. Additionally, proper fencing or barriers can help stop the spread of bermudagrass or prevent pets or wildlife from damaging the garden.
3. Traps and attractants: Traps are used to trap enough insects to lower plant damage. Traps can also be used to monitor how many and what species of insects are in the garden. One disadvantage of using traps in the garden is they are non-discriminatory and will trap beneficial insects, too.
4. Water pressure sprays: In some cases, a forceful stream of water will dislodge insects such as aphids and spider mites from foliage and plant stems. Gardeners will likely have to repeat this process throughout the summer because many of the insects are likely to return. Use this method only with sturdy plants to avoid plant damage. Also, this method could be problematic since frequent applications could increase diseases or cause root problems due to saturated soil.
5. Insect vacuums: Insect vacuums can be used to remove certain kinds of insects from plants. These tools may contain a disposable cartridge lined with a non-toxic, sticky gel to which insects will stick when sucked up by the machine. Hand-held, battery-powered vacuums are available in stores or online.

Gardening can take a lot of work and insect damage is the last thing a gardener wants to see. With environmental and health issues on the forefront, these natural ways of controlling insects while still producing healthy crops are appealing to many gardeners across the state.