1. Aphids
 Aphids are a major pest for gardens, they live in colonies and cluster around the young shoots and leaves sucking the sap. When this happens, new shoots appear distorted and the leaves curl due to the stress of infestation. Aphids excrete a sweet, sugary liquid which attracts ants to feed off the substance. There are many varieties of aphid, they have soft bodies with visible legs and can either be winged or wingless. They come in a range of colours including white, green, black and brown. They are not picky in their choice of food source and attack plants that are exotic or native and also food crops. Confidor Insecticide by Bayer is an effective control measure.
2. Caterpillars
Activity of caterpillars begin to increase during March leaving a trail of destruction behind them. Unfortunately Caterpillars are masters of disguise and quite often the first time you notice them is after they have begun to devour your plants. People first notice activity by the holes appearing on the foliage of their plants and when infested, the bare stalks left behind. Keeping on top of these guys is relatively simple and the best organic control is to use native plants in the garden to encourage birds which are a caterpillars worst enemy. Heavy infestations may require chemical control such Yates Dipel which is highly effective.
3. Harlequin Bugs
The Harlequin Bug is native to Australia and is generally treated as a minor pest in the garden, but when numbers are high the damage can be severe. When these sap sucking pests attack plants, they cause tip wilting, leaf, fruit and vegetable distortion. An easy bug to identify with its bright orange body with black markings and can also be seen in pairs ‘joined together'. Harlequin bugs can be difficult to control, but Malathion by Yates is effective and as an organic control try applying a ring of Trappit Barrier Glue around the base of fruiting trees.
4. Scale
Scale are small insects of over 7000 species that are sap sucking parasites. When an adult scale attaches itself to a plant it becomes immobile and is permanently attached to that plant. Growth becomes distorted and stunted when infested and the plant can suffer severely through the continuous feeding of its sap and reducing the plants food supply. Scale produce a sweet substance called honeydew which attracts ants who in turn spread the honeydew which then becomes sooty mould. Like Aphids, they come in a variety of colours including black, brown, white and red. They have a waxy coating which helps them to be resistant to pesticides, however smothering or suffocating them with White Oil is highly effective. Soapy water can also be quite helpful.
5. Snails & Slugs
Snails! Everyone knows them and everyone loathes them. Snails are one of the most destructive pests in the garden and being generally nocturnal (coming out at night to feed) it makes it had to control them. They feed on fresh young growth and leafy plants with the ability to hide amongst the foliage. Thriving in damp, shady gardens, snails tend to rampage after rain causing serious plant damage Snail bait is the most effective control, however salt can also be of help as it dehydrates the snail and poisons them.
Top 5 Diseases – Autumn
Downy Mildew 
A serious fungal disease that can cause wilting, stunting and yellowing of foliage and in severe cases death. Downy mildew first appears as tiny yellow or brown spots on the upper side of the foliage which then produce fluffy, white spores on the underside. A common fungus as the weather cools and rain increases with infection being spread by wind. Spraying with a copper oxychloride fungicide is very effective.
Lawn Dollar Spot
Dollar Spot is a common fungal disease of lawns and appears as dead patches that are approximately 5cm and in a circular fashion. This fungal disease is quite severe as it attacks both the leaves and stems of the lawn. Dollar Spot is prolific when conditions are humid and soils are low in nitrogen, but can be controlled with fungicides such as Mancozeb coupled with frequent watering and regular fertilising.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery Mildew can occur on a broad variety of plants and can be found on leaves, stems and fruit as a whitish-grey powdery substance. First appearing as tiny white spots, then increasing in size covering large areas. The leaves of plants that are heavily infected become distorted, wither and eventually die causing severe stress to the plant. Chemical control such as Bayleton is highly effective.
Root Rot
A very destructive fungus that thrives in moist conditions, Root Rot lives in the soil, traveling through water, and the easiest way to describe it is as a ‘water mould'. This fungus, as the name suggests, rots the roots of the plant making it impossible for the affected plant to take in water or nutrients. Symptoms appear as wilting, yellowing and dry foliage, foliage dying on one side, plant begins to die from the top down and when infection is severe, death of the plant. Prevention is the best method for controlling Root Rot including, adding compost and manure regularly, raising garden beds to ensure good drainage and regular fertilising. If infection is severe, fungicides containing potassium phosphonate can be applied.
Rust
Rust is a very infectious fungal disease that can spread its millions of spores via water/rain and wind. Rust first appears as tiny yellowish spots on the leaf surface and directly below them on the underside of the leaf are blisters, powdery to the touch which contain the spores. Mancozeb and sulfur are effective treatments and if left untreated, affected plants will become weak and eventually die through stress. |
