Natural Solutions to Things That Bug You (98 page)

Nosema locustae                               Ringer Grasshopper                          Crickets,                             Bait and consumed

                                                           Attack                                        grasshoppers              by insects

Granulosis virus                                            Decyd™                                        Codling Moth,              Eaten by insect

                                                                                                               Grasshoppers

Nuclear polyhedrosis                              Gypchek™                                         Gypsy moth               Eaten by insect

Virus (NPV)                                                                                                 caterpillar                            

Information Regarding Controls

Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt)

Bt is viewed as a rod-shaped bacterium and is sold as a mixture of the resting spore stage and as protein crystals that are diamond-shaped.  The crystals will form close to the spores. However, it only affects caterpillars that eat it. The crystals cause the insect to stop feeding as the spores germinate and the insect dies. Bt should not be stored in direct sunlight or it will deactivate.

Its safety has been proven with humans and animals as well as plants and trees. The names it is marketed under include Dipel™, Thuricide™ Biotrol™. You can purchase it as a wettable dust or as an emulsion. While it is stable when stored it will lose potency in sunlight.

It is available in most garden supply stores or through mail order. Pellet bait is also available and marketed under the names Soilserv™ and Bacillus Bait™. It is approved for use in California and is widely used on an assortment of vegetables and fruits.

GARDEN PESTS CONTROLLED BY Bt

CROP                                                                                                                    GARDEN PEST

Almond…………………………………………………..              Peachtree Borer

Alfalfa…………………………………………………….
             
Alfalfa Caterpillar

Apple Tree………………………………………………              Codling Moth Worm,Tent Caterpillar

Fall Webworm, Eyespotted Bud Moth, Apple rust mite, Tentiform Leafminer,

Winter Moth and Redbanded Leafroller

Artichoke………………………………………………..              Artichoke Plume Moth

Castor Bean…………………………………………….              Castor Semi-Looper

Celery……………………………………………………..              Celery Looper, Cabbage Looper

Citrus……………………………………………………..              Anise Swallowtail

Corn……………………………………………………….              Corn Earworm, European Corn Borer

Cotton…………………………………………………….              Cotton Leafworm, Cotton Leaf, Perforator, Bollworm

Crucifers…………………………………………………              Cabbageworm, Diamondback Moth,

                                                                                    Cabbage Looper

Grape……………………………………………………..              Grape Leafroller, Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer

Lettuce……………………………………………………              Corn Earworm, Tobacco

Budworm

Orange……………………………………………………              Fruit Tree Leafroller, Orangedog

CROP                                                                                                                    GARDEN PEST

Peach……………………………………………………..              Peachtree Borer

Stored Grain Crops…………………………………..              Variety of Insects

Tomatoes………………………………………………..              Tomato Hornworm, Tobacco Hornworm,

Cabbage Looper, Tomato Fruitworm

Trees (General)………………………………………..              Fall Cankerworm, Spring Cankerworm, California Oakworm, Fruit Tree Leafroller,Gypsy Moth, Linden Loopers,Spruce Budworm, Winter Moth. Etc.

Bacillus Popilliae (BP)

This is a bacterium that inhabits the soil and infects only grubs of the Japanese and June beetle. The blood of these beetles is normally clear; however, it will turn a milky color and is known as “milky spore disease.” It will not kill all types of grubs so it is best to check with your local supplier to be sure it will work on grubs in your area.

The BP is applied to grassy areas and around orchards, which is where the adult beetles lay their eggs. One application of milky spores will last 15-20 years.

Nematodes (Nc)

These are microscopic wormlike relatives of the worm family and attack and parasitize a number of insect pests. There are over 200 pests that can be controlled with Nc including vine borers and cucumber beetles. They seek and destroy very efficiently. Nematodes will enter the insect through their mouth or through spiracles, which are the insects breathing tubes.

When they feed on the insect they release bacteria causing the mummification of the insect. The insect will usually die within 24 hours. Nematodes; are usually shipped in peat moss or soil and is then easily applied to the infected areas. When applying nematodes the soil needs to be moist and never apply in direct sunlight.

Nosema locustae

This is a one-celled parasite that is prepared using cereal bait, usually wheat bran and is very effective in killing grasshoppers and crickets. However, it takes a year for the maximum effect.

Codling Moth Granulosis Virus (CMGV)

This is an active virus that will affect certain insects and not others. It is most affective for controlling codling moths.

APPENDIX A

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING

PREPARATION OF PLANT SPRAYS

Almost all sprays should be re-applied after it rains.

Soap is often recommended to help the spray stick to the plants or the insects.

The majority of plant oil extracts will act as a contact poison on all insects, however, the insects must be covered by the spray.

When preparing the sprays be sure that direct sunlight does not hit the liquid since sunlight will break down the spray and reduce its effectiveness.

Be sure and test a small area of any plant you are going to spray to be sure that the spray will not damage the plant.

The preferred time of day to spray is the evening hours, the later the better.

APPENDIX B

PLANTS THAT REPEL PESTS

                            PEST                                                                                    PLANT

Ants & Aphids                                                        Pennyroyal, spearmint, tansy,

                                                                                    southernwood

Aphids                                                                      All of the above as well as garlic,

                                                                                    chives, onions, coriander, anise,

Armyworm                                                                      Bear hops, mescal, coral bean

                                                                                    Nasturtium, petunia

Asparagus Beetle                                                        Tomato

Bean leafroller                                                        Larkspur, Spanish dagger

Borer                                                                                    Garlic, tansy, onion

Cabbage Maggot                                                        Mint, tomato, rosemary, hemp,

sage

Cabbage Moth                                                        Mint, hyssop, rosemary, thyme,

sage

                                                                                    southernwood, hemp, wormwood,

                                                                                    celery, catnip, nasturtium

Cabbageworms                                                        Turkey mullein

Carrot Fly                                                                      Rosemary, sage, wormwood, black

                                                                                    salsify, alliums, coriander

Chinch Bug                                                                      Soy beans, false indigo

Codling Moth                                                                      American wisteria, common

oleander