For the sake of the satellite , we will not be sharing some of the tips and techniques advocate by MSHS in the distant past times for dealing with plebeian garden pests . Arsenic , formaldehyde , powdered strychnine , DDT and many other chemicals were on the carte du jour for nurseryman in the former to mid-20th century . That said , gardeners also understood early on on that nature had its own ways of master troublesome pests .
Encourage birds in your garden for pest control
In 1913 , the Rev. Rett E. Olmstead of Excelsior spill the beans the praises of Bronx cheer as a way to reduce insect universe , especially in fruit grove . Caterpillars , cinch bugs , flies and other insects are food for thought for birds . late enquiry has confirm therole good insectsalso play in reducing population of blighter .
Here are some recommendations we indorse for a few common garden pestis . ( For more on garden pests , check out thisblog mail on vegetable garden pestsor this one onthe value of insectary garden .
Use physical barriers to repel cut worms
rationalise worms are so discouraging . One day your cabbages , murphy , corn or other veggie are looking neat . The next , they ’re munch off at the stem . put in composition board ( contract up toilet paper coil are a good alternative ) in a circle around the base of the works , inhume two in underground has been recommend for more than 100 eld by hort gild experts to thwart ignore worms . TheUniversity of Minnesota Extensionhas other tips for identifying and plow with cut worms .
Treat scale insects with a toothbrush
Scaleis among the most frustrative common garden pests to deal with . They do n’t even seem like bug , resembling growths of the outgrowth of a plant life for much of the year . But a tough infestation can defeat a tree . Scale may overrun maples , elm tree , conifers , oak , dogwood , spiraea and more , but the biggest business organization latterly has been withmagnolia scale . Don Engebretsondescribed how he deal with this pestin a late article inNorthern Gardener . In the early 1900s , hort lodge expert recommended take out the scales ( the growths on the branches of trees ) with a tooth brush . That will not work for a serious infestation . In 1998 , long - metre Plant Health columnist Kathy Widin recommend starting with horticultural oils to deal with voiced scales . Serious infestations can be process with insecticide , such as carbaryl ( Seven ) or malathion . Whenever you apply an pesticide , stick with directions carefully for timing and pace of coating .
Pick beetles and watch for reinforcements
Japanese beetleshave been in Minnesota for more than 50 years . They are a relentless pest and can bust up havoc on rose , green bean , grapes , birch rod tree and about 300 other plants . They commonly get in in late June and are around for about eight weeks . The beetles overwinter as eats in your lawn , which is why it ’s often recommended to treat the grub . To hold in the mallet , Northern Gardenerhas recommended sound out every morning and picking them off plant life and flatten them in buttery water system . In 2002 , Kathy Widin recommended nurseryman select plant beetles are less probable to destroy , such as elderberry , lilacs , juniper , pines and spruces . It ’s worth note thatthe winsome tent-fly , a parasite of Japanese beetles , have also arrived in Minnesota and may help trim back turn . Our editor spottedseveral beetles infected with winsome fliesin 2021 . Speaking of Nipponese beetles . . .
Japanese beetle traps are a no-go
While some nurseryman use traps that lure beetles via scent and sexual attractant , this method acting is often too in force and in reality attracts beetles from neighbors and beyond , bringing more in than kill . For this cause , it ’s commonly good to adhere with the traditional method of hand - picking beetle into a tub of soapy water , accord to Bud Markhart in a 2012 article .
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Cut worms will shear a plant off at the base.
Japanese beetles attack a variety of plants, including hollyhocks.
