Deal with spring pests

A mild winter has left our plants vulnerable, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

THE mild, wet winter created the perfect conditions for garden pests and we will have to work harder this spring to protect our plants from these pint-sized invaders.

Slugs and snails are in the ascendancy right now and I’ve heard reports of lily beetles being spotted as far back as late January. We must be on our guard and prepare our armouries!

Thanks to Coronavirus, all nonessential shops such as garden centres are closed and online suppliers are overwhelmed with orders. In the panel to the right I look at homespun methods of controlling pests, which can be just as effective as (and often preferable to) using chemicals.

We try to keep our garden as organic and balanced as possible and are happy to sacrifice a few plants in return for lots of wildlife. If you prefer to use chemicals, do so sensibly, sticking exactly to the manufacturers’ instructions.

Organic sprays such as Vitax Organic Pest & Disease Control containing natural pyrethrum, fatty acids or plant oils are widely available. These kill by blocking pests’ breathing holes but may need several applications. They are less likely to affect beneficial adult predators such as ladybirds.

Top Tip:

Never spray pesticides when plants are in flower as you will kill important pollinators. Only spray on dry, still days to avoid toxic chemical drift.