Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category

Happy July

It is our prayer that everyone have a safe holiday with family and friends.
Summer is here. Amongst the weed pulling and watering you need to make sure you work on these tasks in the early morning or early evening when the temperature is not so hot.

LAWN CARE

>Fertilize your lawn with an application of fertilizer this month. Make sure you water it into the soil after you have removed any overspread from your walks and patios.

> Remember to water in the morning to prevent disease problems. How do you know how much water you have applied? You can place several small containers with a flat bottom (such as an old margarine tub or tuna can) in your garden beds and lawn. Then measure the amount of water in the cans.

GARDEN CARE

> Your flowers, shrubs, trees, and vegetables need at least an inch of water a week. Pots, especially will dry out quickly in the heat. Check your containers daily.

> Make sure your lawn or plants are well watered before applying fertilizers, fungicides, or insecticides. Apply them in the early morning before the temperature reaches 80 degrees. This will allow the plants to dry before the temperature reaches 85 degrees. It is best not to spray when the temperature is above 85 degrees or if the pants are stressed from lack of water.

> Continue to deadhead annuals and perennials, this will encourage a longer bloom.

> Quit pinching back your mums, mid-July. Flowers will begin to bloom about 5 or 6 weeks after your last pinching. If you haven’t been pinching your mums, cut them back by half in early July and fertilize them. This will help your mums to grow bushier and delay bloom until later in the summer.

> You can still plant summer blooming perennials and shrubs, just make sure you give them a little extra TLC. Do your shopping at Gurneys while it is hot. Planting in the evening or on a cloudy day when the temperatures are cooler gives the plant a better chance to settle in before being hit with the heat and light of a typical July day. Make sure you keep newly planted flowers and shrubs well watered. Drought tolerant plants need to be treated the same way until they get established.

My wife and I are in Missouri this week. We had to mow and weed eat this lot before we could hold the auction for Dad’s house moving equipment. We encountered lots of chiggers.

For more info about the chigger go to the pest page above.

Here’s a thought I had about chiggers. I have never heard of anyone finding chiggers west of the Rockies and I can’t find any references that would attest to West Coast chiggers. If anyone has I’d really appreciate you dropping me a note.

How many pests do you have in your garden? I bet you have some of these: aphids, ants, earwigs, grubs, mice, slugs, and snails. Pests can cause damage, contamination, to our food. They carry foreign bodies that cause allergic reactions. The best cure is to take preventative steps to control the pests before they cause garden problems.

Do a physical inspection of your home by walking around it with a pen and notepad. Jot down notes of what needs to be repaired or replaced to create a pest barrier: caulk cracks and windows, repair broken window and door screens, check doors and windows that they shut tightly. Make sure your screen door will close quick enough after you walk thru so you don’t have unwanted guests.

Food spills, crumbs, and left over pet food should be cleaned up immediately. Washing and drying your dishes, sweeping behind your appliances, and storing food in sealed containers will discourage the invasion of vermin such as rodents, ants, and cockroaches.

For that renegade bug that gets by all of your industrious efforts to thwart their invasion a swatter or trap will make quick disposal of him. If insects get into stored food seal in plastic and put in the freezer. If all else fails you can purchase pesticides at your local Home Depot Garden Department. For an infestation of an insect you need to choose the correct pesticide for the problem. Contact a qualified person to help you choose the correct product to solve your problem. If you are unsure of the pest identification send me a digital picture, write to me and I will help you identify the problem, then point you to the correct solution.

Pest control can be a little tricky in your lawn. Mowing on a weekly basis and regular fertilization with the proper fertilizer for the season will help keep the grass healthy. Healthy grass is a strong deterrant to weeds. Hand weeding if you have time is best for the environment. If time is of the essence then Home Depot Garden Center can be your friend. I caution you to be careful about pesticides, improper use will not only control your pests, but can be harmful to good bugs like lacewings, ladybugs, antlion (ladybug larvae), and praying mantis.

Best Wishes and Happy Gardening.
Phil Knaus
http://www.philthegardener.com