SEASONAL PEST CONTROL ADVICE
February/early March
Brassica Whitefly
The Brassica or Cabbage whitefly uses plants like sprouts and cabbage as a winter host. Although the Cabbage whitefly is a different species to the glasshouse whitefly, the damage can be similar with a sooty mould left on plants.The Cabbage whitefly overwinters as adults on the plants.
Cabbage Whitefly
The best way to control this pest is to use a non-toxic, physical acting spray like Just Bug Killer. This product does not use a poison, like a traditional pesticide, to kill insects. It has a physical mode of action which smothers and suffocates the pest. The spray also leaves no poisonous residues on the plant, this is very important if we are going to eat the plant!
For more information on Just Bug Killer click here.
Glasshouse hygiene
Now is the time to clean up your glasshouse ready for propagating and sowing seeds. The Glasshouse is also going to need plenty of light, so algae and shading material should be removed. This can be aided with Just Glasshouse Cleaner, which uses a natural seaweed surfactant to lift the dirt and debris but leaves no toxic residues.
Pests can also be using empty or near empty glasshouses as an overwintering site. It only takes a weed or a very small piece of plant material to be present for pests to survive on. Make sure you remove all weeds and plant debris. Whitefly and Aphids can survive low temperatures so don't think they will all have been killed in the winter. Also use Yellow sticky traps at this time of year to catch any flying pests click here for more info.
More Natural pest control tips coming soon....