E. Reduce pest populations with selected control measures
1) 1 Sometimes things simply get out of hand and you will need to take positive action to reduce problem insect numbers down to a more acceptable level. Here are a few mechanical control meatures you can try before resorting to insecticide use.
a) Erect barriers to keep pests away from your crops.
1) Cutworm collars - Use strips of stiff paper, cardboard, or plastic approximately 3 inches wide and long enough to encircle the plant stem. Bury the collar into the ground 1 inch leaving 2 inches above the surface.
2) Corrugated aluminum edging - A ring of this material works well in excluding snails and slugs, especially if you bend the top edge outward.
3) Diatomaceous Earth (DE) - This is the ground-up remains of ancient single celled creatures called Diatoms. The resulting powder has razor-sharp edges that slices into the body covering of any little creature that comes in contact with it. A wide ring of DE surrounding your plant will protect it from slugs, snails and most other crawling pests. Humans should avoid inhaling the dust as it will irritate the breathing passages and lungs. Eye protection is also recommended. Don't bother using the type of DE available at pool supply outlets. The sharp edges have been polished off, effectively rendering the powder useless for pest control purposes.
4) Sharp builder's sand -This material works in much the same way as DE (above) on slugs and snails but is not as effective on other (tougher-skinned) pests.
5) Tar paper disks -These are traditionally used to exclude root maggot flies. Slit the disk and fit tightly around the stem of the plant. The adult fly will not be able to get to the soil surface and lay her eggs.
b) Employ traps to capture the pests.
1) Band your trees - Place a 6 inch wide band of burlap or corrugated paper around the tree. Codling Moth and other larvae will run into it as they climb up the trunk and will spin their cocoons there. Unwrap the band periodically and destroy any pests you find. Replace with a fresh band.
2) Boards -Place lengths of boards, large flat stones, broken pottery, etc. on the ground in your garden. Many nocturnal pests hide in places such as this during the day. Check under the boards every day and dispose of any pests you may find. Other "hiding-place" traps include rolled up newspapers, old garden hose, carpet scraps and folded black plastic.
3) Lights - Use electric "Bug Lights" to zap pests or turn on the back porch light and stand by with a fly swatter. Many pests are attracted to the light, especially moths, beetles and true bugs. Be careful not to harm any Mantids or Lacewings that may be hunting in the same area.
4) Stale beer - A shallow saucer or wide jar lid of beer placed on the ground is a time tested effective trap for slugs and snails. You can substitute 1 tsp yeast to 3 ounces water for the beer and still get good results. Check the trap every morning and remove the bodies.
5) Sticky bands -Same principle as the regular bands listed above (#1) but use stretchy material that fits tightly to the tree and cover the band with a sticky substance like Tangle foot or petroleum jelly. The sticky goo will trap any creatures trying to climb up the tree trunk. This works especially well in preventing ants from carrying aphids up into the tree to feed. Change the banding frequently.
6) Sticky traps -These are various shapes (spheres, rectangles, triangles, etc.) of different colors that are coveted with a sticky substance such as Tangle foot. They serve two basic purposes. First they provide an early warning system. When you observe a certain pest stuck in the goo, you are given notice that they have arrived and can take the appropriate action. Depending on your treatment plan this may mean starting a spray program or just monitoring the population levels. Secondly, the traps reduce the pest population all by themselves. Each insect caught is one that is not going to damage your crops or reproduce. If your pest population is low enough to start with, a few sticky traps may effectively keep it at a level not worth worrying about.
7) Pheromone traps -These work much the same way as regular sticky traps, but they add an extra "pull" in the way of an attractive odor. Some of the baits smell like fruit (usually rotting), others have a floral scent and quite a few use sex lures. Just identify your pest, bait and set the trap and check regularly. Again these can be used as early warning systems or just a population reduction device. Most of the traps use a sticky substance to capture the pest but a few may drown them or fry them with solar energy. Many commercial traps are available or you can make a simple one yourself. Common target pests include barnyard flies, Codling Moths and Japanese Beetles.
To be continued...