The Landscape Experts at Crabapple know the first step in Natural Garden Pest prevention is to identify the type of pest in order to stop it in its tracks.
- Plant-eating Insects
- chewing insects
- sucking insects
- below-ground grubs
- Mites
- Plant Diseases
- fungus
- bacteria
- virus
The best defense is a good offense, and the LandscapExpert Team begins by using many cultural controls.
- Start with the soil. Build healthy, organic soils that optimize plant growth by raising the organic matter content in Georgia red clay
- compost
- mulch
- mushroom compost
- topdressing with well-rotted manure
- aerated compost tea
- seaweed
- organic mulch
- Create optimum soil acidity/alkalinity levels
- Correct pH
- Pulverized dolomitic lime to make acid soils more neutral
- Mycorrhizal inoculents:
- friendly fungi to create a symbiotic relationship with roots of higher plants
- beneficial bacteria to produce nitrogen in available compounds
- Choose the correct plant for the location; for example, do not plant boxwood in a soggy location, nor crape myrtle in the shade
- Rotate crops, interplanting, companion planting (avoid monocultures)
- Pull weak plants since these will be more susceptible to pest attack
- Minimize insect habitat by raking off old mulch and plant litter and composting
- Water in early morning so sun will dry off leaves; water roots, not leaves
- Disinfect pruning tools between plants to avoid spreading disease
- Open planting to provide improved air circulation
Integrated Pest Management
- Identify pest
- Cultural controls first and foremost
- Add or attract beneficial insects to eat or parasitize harmful insects or larvae
- beneficials include carnivorous insects that eat other bugs
- well known lacewings, praying mantids, ladybugs
- Organic remedies include
- hand- picking,
- dormant oil spray
- traps
- lures
- Chemical remedies include
- Targeted spot treatment with chemical insecticides or fungicides appropriate for the specific pest
- We avoid broadcast pesticide spraying that will adversely affect beneficial insects and soil organisms
Members of the Crabapple Team are certified Pesticide Applicators with up-to-date licenses who attend re-certification classes. Count on Crabapple for the best in knowledgeable Pest Prevention.
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