Pacific West Botanicals The Management of: Pests and Diseases The management concept acknowledges that many of our perceived "problems" are induced natural components of gardens. Their simple presence doesn�t necessarily spell trouble. In a diversified garden, most insect pests are kept in check by natural forces ( such as predators and weather ), only if the pests reach seriously damaging levels do you have an indication that natural controls are temporarily unbalanced - suggesting temporary intervention by the gardener. Because of this natural system of checks and balances in a garden, it makes sense to determine which form of intervention will return the situation to a normal balance with the least risk of also destroying the helpful ( as well as harmless ) organisms that maintain the equilibrium. Your action choices range from doing nothing ( giving nature a chance to correct the imbalance ), to using restraints ( washing plants or repelling or physically destorying the damagers ). To biological controls ( improving the helpful side of nature�s control system ) , to chemicals controls. Mechanical controls; Handpicking, traps, barriers, or a strong jet of water can reduce or thwart many pests, especially in the early stages of a potential problem. Cleanup of plant debris can remove the environment where certain pets and diseases breed or over winter. Accept Minor Damange; A totally pest-free garden is neither possible nor desirable. Allow natural control methods the major role in maintaining a healthy balance between pests and the beneficial ( plus harmless ) insects and creatures that are normal garden components. Use Non-Chemical Alternatives; Release or encourage beneficial insects; use soaps, horticultural oils, botanical insecticides ( such as natural pyrethrins ), and one of several packaged forms of Bacillus thuringiensis. Realize benefical insects may take a while to reduce the pests they prey upon. And that you may have to use the non chemical controls at more frequent intervals than chemical controls. Use of Chemical Preparations; If you choose to use chemical preparations follow all directions exactly. Pests of the: Pacific Northwest ( West of the Cascades ); Slugs, Root Weevils, Aphids, Moles, Mildew, Mites, Black Spot, Cutworms, Crows, Deer, and Gophers. North Central California, ( Coastal ); Slugs, Snails, Mildew, Gophers, Earwigs, Aphids, White Flies, Oak Moths, Mites, Rust, Mealy Bugs, Deer, Moles, and Cutworms. Southern California; Mildew, White Flies, Gophers, Slugs, Snails, Rust, Aphids, Oxalis Scale, Bermuda Grass, Thrips, Pillbugs, Sow Bugs, Geranium Budworms, and Mealy Bugs. Southern California ( Inland ); Grasshoppers, White Flies, Mites, Aphids, Mildew, Slugs, Snails, Oak Root Fungus, Squirrels, Earwigs, Moles, Cutworms, and Crows. Mountains; Slugs, Aphids, Mites, Grasshoppers, Mildew, Leaf-rollers, Fireblight, Gophers, Crabgrass, Earwigs, Cutworms, Leaf-cutting Bees, Slugs, Mildew, and Squash Bugs. Desert; Aphids, Mites, White Flies, Grasshoppers, Spotted Spurge, Leaf-cutting Bees, Slugs, Mildew and Squash Bugs. |