gardening for health
Bug Off
Pest Control Basics
At one time or another, all growers will experience
a pest problem of some sort. Here’s what to do.
by Susan Eitel
Sadly, hobby and professional gardeners alike have learned the hard way that a pest-free garden is next to
impossible to achieve. The most common plant pests include aphids, spider mites, thrips, fungus gnats and
whiteflies. Some, if not all, are eventually going to show up at some point in your garden and populations
can quickly explode out of control if not kept in check. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that prevention,
monitoring and control are the three key factors for a healthy and pest-free garden. Here are some
strategies to help you in your endeavor to keep pests at bay.
Identification
I
Identifying what types of pests are in the growroom
is as easy as hanging sticky cards around. The pests
stick to them and are easier to see. A magnifying
glass is a must, as some pests are very small. Once
you know what type you’re dealing with, you can take
appropriate action. Disease-ridden plants are more
susceptible to pest infestations, so before bringing
new plants into your growroom, it is a good idea
to quarantine and treat them so you know what, if
anything, you’re dealing with. Unfortunately, fighting
disease is a losing battle. There is only one way to deal
with disease and that is to rid your growroom of any
afflicted plants. It is a good idea to cover the offending
plant with a plastic bag so you don’t spread the disease
while moving it out of the room past healthy plants.
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Maximum Yield USA | January 2015
“
Identifying what types of pests are in the growroom
is as easy as hanging sticky cards around.”
Cleanliness, Cleanliness,
Cleanliness
C
I cannot stress enough how important cleanliness is
for successful pest control. As a general rule of thumb,
it is imperative that you keep floors, growing surfaces,
substrates, tools and clothing clean and disinfected. A
separate set of tools for the indoor growroom is essential. Disinfecting tools with isopropyl alcohol and hand
washing before moving from one plant to another will
stop the pests from being transported via you and your
tools. These pests can also be transported into the
growroom on your clothes and on pets. Changing into
clean clothes and footwear before entering the growroom and keeping pets out will make a big difference.