Tag Archive for: mites

TIP #2 Pest Control in Everlastings

Everlastings, like any plant grown from seed, are highly susceptible to pests. Slugs and snails are the most problematic, followed by rabbits. The best method is prevention. Be aware of the problems you may encounter and take steps to eliminate predation.

Slugs and Snail control

If you have a garden with snails and slugs, then you WILL need to apply one of the following;

Slug pellets or snail pellets. These come in rain-fast or non-rain-fast versions. The rain-fast version is 2 to 3 times more expensive and provides longer-lasting protection. The non-rain-fast version is still very effective but will not last as long. Both are harmful to pets.

Iron phosphate pellets. These are less effective than the slug pellet because the snail/slug has to ‘stumble’ across them rather than be attracted to them. You will have to apply more iron phosphate pellets; however, they are not very expensive, and no harm is caused to animals.

Non-chemical. Home remedies. These may include a beer trap (the slug is attracted to the beer and drowns), eggshells in your garden, slug repellent, using bran or gravel around the garden, and placing flywire over your site so snails can’t traverse. For further information regards natural methods of slug control – aumanns.com.au).

REMEMBER, slugs come at night, so often they are undetected as the cause of your loss of seedlings.

Mites

Mites are a huge broadacre issue, and using chemicals is the best method to control them. These come in two forms – a synthetic pyrethroid chemical which is relatively harmless to humans and animals, and a very effective organophosphate, but can cause problems with toxicity in the long term.

There are indirect natural ways of dealing with mites, for example, companion planting and planting species that will lead to common insects controlling the mite or the use of eco oils.

DON’T TREAT mites unless you have them!! They can very quickly become resistant to control methods.

Rabbits

They are very hard to control! But fortunately, the taste for everlastings is an afterthought, and they will preferentially graze other species first. Therefore, the best control method is removal by baiting or other forms or encouraging them to eat something else (grain or hay).