COMMON PESTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1938, Page 4

COMMON PESTS

MEASURES FOR CONTROL. It is beyond the average person to comprehend the part certain pests play in the scheme of life to justify their existence, for. we must believe all created things have a purpose in the great plan. Anyhow we must exercise our minds and exhibit ingenuity in their control. The keynote to freedom from pests and disease is good, clean gardening—reducing to a minimum all places likely to serve as a harbour or breeding ground. If one could but exercise the same care about one’s garden as one does about one’s persons the battle would be more than half won. Certain pests are more troublesome in some districts than in others, but wherever found earwigs are an abomination; it is possible to watch with interest or even grow to be fascinated with some pests, but the very thought of earwigs gives one a cold shiver, and so we plead no excuse in recommending a sure poison bait; soz glycerine, 6oz sodium fluoride with six quarts of water, 121 b bran, 41b treacle.

The method of preparation is simple. Mix the glycerine and sodium in a little water and add enough to make up to six quarts. This should then be very carefully mixed with 121 b bran and when in the form of a mash add 41b treacle and stir thoroughly. If this bait is spread about at nightfall the results will prove most satisfactory, but should rain occur repeat the process when clear and dry again. There is also the ancient method of hand-picking, which involves stamping with foot or heel, or both! To those of a sensitive nature trapping in hollowed bamboo canes, large wads of crumpled paper, or inverted flower pots with a little moss at the base is recommended, and these traps may be tipped into a basin or bucket of boiling water. Even the most peace-loving gardener has no scruples about killing grass grubs, for which many methods are adopted in accordance with degree of infection. We recently inspected one lawn with 41 to the square foot. Such a degree of infection calls for stern measures, and digging the whole lawn is recommended, at the same time

dusting the ground with lead arsenate at the rate of one pound to 200 square feet. A heavy dressing of agricultural salt is also good. If lead arsenate be used the lawn must not be top-dressed with superphosphate, sulphate of potash, or nitrate of soda, as they are conducive to chemical action which would counteract any benefit from the lead arsenate. If infection be slight the trouble may be corrected by repeated rollings and top-dressing with fertilisers to stimulate root activity. Prepared grass grub exterminator may be obtained and applied as directed. Chrysanthemum flowers in particular will be worried with aphis and mildew. It is unfortunate to see plants denuded of foliage through mildew which may readily be checked by repeated and persistent sprayings, using one quarter to half an ounce of liver of sulphur (potassium sulphide) to each gallon of water. Aphis about the buds is easily controlled with any nicotine spray obtainable from seedsmen, or Clensol. At this time of the year anticipate attack and spray. Do-not waituntil it appears and obtains a hold. It is late in the day to discuss the white butterfly, for every gardener knows this “pretty” pest only too Well. But this, with caterpillars, is best controlled by lead arsenate, using Joz to each gallon of water and adding a little commercial soft soap to serve as a spreader. It is a good plan to dip seedlings of plants most generally attacked —stocks and any cabbages—in a solution of this before planting. A strong brine solution is often used to advantage also’. While there is strong evidence that this particular pest is being controlled by its natural enemy, gardeners should nevertheless not let up in their endeavours to control. Growers of daffodils who are aware of bulbs being infested with ellworm, or who have any suspicions, should immerse the bulbs for three hours in water heated to a temperature of 100 degress Fahrenheit. This is a dreaded disease, but may be controlled in the above manner.

So to conclude with slugs and snails. These are best checked with powdered Meta tablets or salt and lime. Napthalene, too, is good, but by far the most generally practised is trapping and hand-picking, followed by quick, firm, footwork.