In nature, pests are usually controlled by the presence of
insect predators and parasites which keep the populations
of the harmful insects in control.
Most of the insects in nature are either beneficial or at
least harmless. There are many ways to encourage insect
predators in one's garden.
Create a suitable habitat for insect predators. Flowering
shrubs and trees throughout the garden will attract many
beneficial insects including parasitic wasps which require
pollen and nectar for their growth and maturity. Plants
belonging to Umbelliferae family are particularly effective
in attracting natural enemies of pests.
Provide alternate hosts for pests. To ensure availability
of food for the beneficial organisms, grow alternate host
plants along fence lines and in between cultivated crops.
The natural enemy populations on these alternate host plants
will control pests attacking the cultivated crop.
Create nesting sites for frogs, reptiles and birds. Logs
of dead trees, irregularly shaped rocks with crevices and
cavities and plenty of mulch can be a good nesting sites
for snakes, lizards, frogs, rove beetles and carabid beetles
and carabid beetles, which feed on insects.
Increase humidity by providing water holes. Humidity is
much needed for the survival of natural enemies. It serves
as a source of drinking water for reptiles, birds and frogs.
Many predatory insects live in, on and near water. Well-vegetated
small dams, little water pools and swales scattered throughout
the garden will create conditions for the build-up of natural
enemies.
Practice mixed crops and harvesting them in strips help
maintain natural enemies and confuses pests. For fungal pathogens,
the practice of mixed cropping is desirable as the root exudates
of another crop can be toxic to the pathogen. Mixed cropping
also encourages soil microbes which, in turn, act as barriers
to the fungal pathogen.
Reduce dust build up in crop plants. Dust inhibits the
functioning of natural enemies. Growing well-designed windbreaks
and ground cover crops like centrosema and lablab bean will
reduce dust. Use of overhead sprinklers will also help periodically
in washing off the dust.
Avoid spraying chemical pesticides. Chemical pesticides
eliminate beneficial insects. Improved application method
should be developed and minimum doses should be applied.
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I am going to plant strawberries for the first ...
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I am going to plant strawberries for the first time. I have a clipping that I need to plant. Can I plant this in the fall or should I pot it and plant in the spring? Also, I was thinking about planting daffodils in the same spot. Would the daffodils be faded out by the time the berries started to take off for the spring? jc aurora,il
Ear Mites
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I would like a natural remedy for ear mites in a dog...
Acorn squash in a containter?
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Is it at all possible to plant Acorn squash in a large container if I have the room for the growing vine or plan to train it along border? T-
On autumn and winter cabbage i have creamy white ...
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on autumn and winter cabbage i have creamy white mounds ontop of leaves with small spots underneath what is this
After transplanting raspberries , which were sweet ...
By: Jim | 10-09-2008
After transplanting raspberries , which were sweet , the berries are now sour . What is lacking in the soil to cause this
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does it matter how much you water a plant
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