Essential Tips for Vegetable Pests

The best protection against pests and diseases is to grow plants well and practice good husbandry, for only strong, healthy plants will produce the best results. If, despite this, a pest or disease problem should arise, it may be necessary to resort to chemical control.

There are several important points to remember:

1. Read the directions carefully before opening the container.
2. Make sure that the product is recommended for the problem on the crop you intend to spray or dust.
3. Diluted liquid insecticides and fungicides deteriorate fairly quickly, so it is advisable not to mix larger quantities than are required for immediate use.
4. Always store garden chemicals out of reach of children keep them in their original containers, making sure that the labels are always readable.

The chemicals recommended here are safe to use and free from residue risks in the vegetables provided they are used according to the makers’ directions.

Remember, too, that all diseased material must be burned immediately, never compost.

Aphids suck sap from leaves causing distortion and loss of vigor. They also spread virus diseases. They often attack lettuce, peas, beans as well as all kinds of vegetables. To avoid aphids, spray with Malathion and re-apply when necessary, always in the evening when bees are inactive.

Cabbage root fly are white maggots that feed on the roots and will kill the plant. They attack all brassicas especially cauliflowers. To treat against cabbage root fly, apply Bromophos granules to the planting hole and follow later with dilute HCH or use impregnated brassica collars.

Cabbage white butterfly are caterpillars that eat the leaves. They attack all brassicas, mostly cabbages. To kill the pest, spray with a Derris insecticide as soon as the butterflies appear.

Carrot fly is a larva that attacks the roots, checking growth and making the carrots unusable. To treat against carrot fly, apply bromophos to open seed drill, follow up by watering seedlings with dilute HCH,

Celery fly feeds on the leaves, causing large blisters and trails which check growth. Celery fly frequently attacks the celery and celeriac. To ward off the pest, spray your vegetable plants with HCH or Fenetrothion in June.

Lettuce root aphid feeds on the roots, causing yellowing, stunting and death of the plant. Critical months, June and July especially if there are Lombardy Poplars nearby. Lettuce root aphid attacks the lettuce vegetable plants. Thoroughly water affected young plants with dilute Marathion.