GARDEN GATECRASHERS

Got some wriggly visitors in your garden that are enjoying your precious roses or herbs a little too much? Send those unwanted pests packing

- PAT INGARFIELD

Snails, slugs and bugs are an integral part of a healthy garden, like it or not. They all see your garden as a veritable feast laid out especially for them. You are going to have to find ways to control them so that they do not destroy everything you plant, and preferably in a safe and organic way. There is nothing more disheartening for a gardener than to discover that a carefully planted bed of seedlings has been destroyed overnight. Seedlings are costly, and sowing seed is time-consuming, so it's essential to find effective ways to control the hungry critters who will invade your garden as soon as temperatures start to rise.

Most insect species require warmer temperatures for their eggs to hatch. The eggs of insects such as aphids and thrips can survive very cold temperatures and so can wait out a local winter quite easily in a sheltered place. In order to stay one jump ahead of these damaging gangs, vigilance is vitally important. As the temperatures rise in late August/ early September, start looking out for sucking insects such as aphids, stink bugs, snails and slugs.

The best offence is a good defence in the case of garden pests. Check your plants often and act as soon as you spot a problem.

Remove any unhealthy or infected plants immediately, sanitise all garden equipment such as secateurs regularly, and remove weeds constantly as they provide shelter for pests. It is worth researching the types of plants that encourage beneficial insects such as ladybirds and praying mantis as these will perform as natural enemies to the pests. Try and attract insect-eating birds such as Cape Robins, Wagtails and Cape White Eyes by creating a compost heap and installing a bird bath.

SNAILS & SLUGS