Keep an eye on garden pests

o7”What happens depends on our way of observing it or on the fact

that we observe it.”

f7--Werner Heisenberg

o7”I’m not a vegetarian because I love animals. I’m a vegetarian

because I hate plants.”

f7--A. Whitney Brown

By the appearance of our gardens, it might appear that we are all

vegetarians during the summer. It’s not that we hate plants... but

road trips, beach time, and divorce proceedings can get in the way of

a beautiful garden. With such aforementioned distractions, even the

seasoned gardener can forget that success is directly attributable to

time spent gardening.

Frequent plant inspections -- and knowing what to look for -- can

often catch garden problems before they get out of control. Now that

autumn has arrived, it’s time to become reacquainted with your roses

and what remains of your tomatoes. Check the undersides of leaves for

worms and follow the ant trails up your eucalyptus. And about that

eucalyptus -- trim and lace it, please. It’s not fair that your tree

is blocking the view for an entire neighborhood. Get real; you’re not

even sitting under the tree anymore!

“What is the icky white stuff on my bamboo?” Catharine asked

recently. I knew the answer before I even reached our plants:

mealybugs. Closely related to scale, mealybugs have a white, cottony

covering and move more slowly than a snail. They suck the sap out of

plants, which causes stunting and even death. Ants are their friends,

drinking the sugary, honeydew excretion. In return, ants fight off

the mealybugs natural predators: ladybugs and lacewings.

Generally, ants are annoying, but not serious pests in the garden.

Their presence, however, are often a clue that a real pest is

secretly wreaking havoc in the garden. Eliminating ants often allows

natural controls to reduce pest levels. The use of the sticky ant

barrier, Tanglefoot pest barrier, and/or diatomaceous earth can be

useful as deterrents. Ant stakes and bait can also be effective in

minimizing ant intrusions.

Ultra-fine oil is horticultural oil used to help control insects.

The oil smothers insects and their eggs. It is my spray of choice to

control the honeydew-type insects: mealybugs, scale and aphids. When

applied properly, it will not harm your pets, wild birds and

beneficial insects.

The ubiquitous morning glory is beautiful to many but a pest to

others. It makes it way over the ground and twines and suffocates

anything in its path. The herbicide Roundup is the most effective

control; repeat applications will be necessary. Painting the

herbicide onto morning glory leaves will prevent the chemical from

drifting into the garden.

Are you over or under watering your lawn? Two or three times a

week should be adequate with the cooler weather we’re experiencing.

Step on the grass: If the blades don’t spring back from your

footprint, it’s time to water. The secret to a healthy lawn is to

water deeply and infrequently. This will help reduce your water bill

as a side benefit.

I always espouse restraint when dealing with garden pests, whether

they are insects, mites, or diseases. The goal is to control but not

pollute the garden. But what about ants that invade the pantry,

mosquitoes that may be carrying a virus, or flies that are buzzing

around the cat food? My advice is simple... kill them and ask

questions later. See you next time.

* Steve Kawaratani is married to traveler, Catharine Cooper, and

has three cats. He can be reached at 497.2438, or E-mail to

plantman2@mac.com.