Hello Friends!
Todays Episode is really really useful for all plant lovers because today we will look
into the leaf signatures of the common pests and insects to identify them and take the
necessary steps to eradicate those culprits from the garden.
Coming up.
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Well, How would you feel, when oneday on your early morning garden inspection you find part
of your garden disappeared while you slept, or realize your flower buds are torn apart
and very badly damaged?
I am sure after seeing this damage, Your first instinct is likely to spray some powerful
chemical pesticide all over your plants to kill those culprits without even investigating
further.
This is not a right decision.
Please Spend a little time to find out what's eating your plants and then take necessary
action particularly prescribed for that pest or insect.
Yes, Today we will look into Identifying those common pests by scanning their leaf signatures,
thats the leaf damage pattern they leave after feeding on your plants.
So lets begin.
1.
Chewed Leaves or Slime Trails: If you see irregular-shaped holes in the leaf (but not
along the edges) and if you see slime trails or lines, then most likely the Culprits are
Slugs and Snails.
So Whats the Solution?
There are lot of remedies for slugs and snails but Beer Trap is the most effective one considered
by many.
Pour some beer in a saucer and leave it overnight.
This attracts and kills these creatures.
Well now moving on to the next similar signature.
2.
Chewed Leaves along the edges: Leaf cutting bees are the culprits.
So whats the solution?
Generally unless its too extensive damage, you need not take any step to kill or drive
away these bees, because they are beneficial insects and required for pollination in your
garden.
3.
Chewed Leaves with central holes in between veins, like Skeletonised leaves.
The culprit here is Caterpillars if larger holes, then the other insects which can cause
this pattern are Beetles, Earwigs and Saw flies.
So whats the remedy.
For caterpillars, hand pick and eliminate them including their eggs from the leaves.
After doing this apply a neem oil + soap solution weekly twice.
10 ml neem oil + 10 drops or 10 ml of liquid soap or shampoo and spray it thoroughly including
the undersides of the leaves.
4.
Discolored Leaves + Sucking Damage: This is commonly caused by Thrips and Spider Mites,
common thrips are the Cuban Laurel Thrips.
As you can see here, the leaf is discoloured and then folded onto itself to form a pouch
or cover these creatures and its eggs.
If left untreated, these thrips will multiply drastically and can cause a considerable damage
to your plant.
So Whats the solution?
You can use the same Neem oil + soap spray weekly twice or can add another oil like clove
oil or eucalyptus oil if they are too extensive.
If they still persist, then go for a chemical sprays like those containing Imidacloprid
as the last resort.
If you still want organic solution like me, consider another option called diatomaceous
earth (DE).
5.
Zig zag leaf mining Pattern: Obviously these are called Leaf miners.
Leafminers are very tiny larvae of a variety of insects like flies, moths and beetles.
Leafminers do not actually cause major injury to the infested plant, but rather give an
unattractive look to the plant.
This mining pattern of zig zag lines on the leaves are produced as these tiny larvae burry
and eat along the infested leaves.
If you want to control these, Neem oil is the best solution.
You can watch my detailed video on leaf miners and its remedies from an end screen link after
this video.
You can also find links to all related videos on pest control from the description below.
Well now moving on to the next culprit.
6.
Sucking Damage and Deformed Leaves and Leaf Curls: Common Sucking pests are Aphids, Whiteflies
and Mealy Bugs.
The mealy bugs are very common and are found sucking the new growth and tips.
Infact, Mealybugs as well as Aphids have a symbiotic relationship with Ants which protect
these pests from predators and also carry them to the plants.
The Ants in turn get the honeydew sugars excreted out of their anus as their gift.
So, Whats the Solution?
I have been using the Magic organic mix containing multiple ingredients along with neem oil to
control these.
But they need a weekly spray with this solution depending on the severity.
There are lot of solutions to these pests including alcohol based sprays, neem oil and
many others.
Please check a video on this topic from and end screen link or from the description link.
7.
Leaf Galls or Leaf Bumps: This is a strange and rare pattern which presents as tumour
like boils on the leaf surface.
This is considered to be due to irritation or stimulation of plant cells due to feeding
or egg-laying by insects such as aphids, wasps and mites.
So there we have it folks, Please Click a Thumbs up if you liked the video and also
please comment below with your feedback and also share this video with your other gardening
friends.
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Happy Gardening!