What bug's you?

~Chameleon~

Did it look anything like this?

Davesnave

floyd wrote: »

I used nematodes in my pots 3 years ago and haven't seen a single larvae or beetle since. Brilliant stuff http://www.greengardener.co.uk/weevil.htm

Totally agree. An organic remedy that really works, but it pays to do the watering-in of the nematodes very carefully. I know they say you can do it with a hose-end feeder, and in some situations that might be OK, but if like me you count your pots in hundreds, (thousands!) then making sure each one gets the correct dose is important.

Also worth bearing in mind that you need a large container to do the mixing-up/ dilution. I used a barrel with a mixing stick, marked to show the volume to save measuring each time, but then I used rather a lot!

Afterthought: Still see a few weevils, so I'd treat every year. After all, you can't do next door's!

Larumbelle

Being badly bothered by vine weevils this year - lost one load of strawbs completely before I figured out what it was - nematodes are being used later this year!

Lily beetles are everywhere, I only recently discovered that there were any lillies in the garden though! Once they have finished attempting to flower they will be dug up, treated, and I will attempt to get them going in a container where I can keep a better eye on them.

Slugs I don't have such a problem with - the birds and hedgehog seem to have been rather greedy! Some of them are being brave and going for the snails too, but I'm still finding a fair number of the shelled gits about. Luckily they aren't 'bothering' my crops.

This year I have only seen one aphid and one adult ladybird. Happily they were both on the same plant at the time . I have also seen immature ones - I didn't know what they were either til my other half told me - goodness knows what I can feed them on. Can you buy aphids mail-order? :rotfl:

A HUGE southern hawker dragonfly assaulted me last night. He divebombed me about five times, even after I told him I wasn't food! He was very pretty, though, even with his kamikazi antics

~Chameleon~

I have been plagued with all kinds of aphids this year, black, grey and green, and not a ladybird in sight

I was horrified to find my entire rhubarb patch swamped in black aphid yesterday, with armies of ants taking full advantage :mad:

I thought rhubarb was immune to such attacks being as it is often used as a deterrant against them?

Larumbelle

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I have been plagued with all kinds of aphids this year, black, grey and green, and not a ladybird in sight

I should post you my ladybirds. Don't send me your aphids though, I don't want them

~Chameleon~

silvercharming wrote: »

I should post you my ladybirds. Don't send me your aphids though, I don't want them

I don't blame you! I don't want them either!

What I can't understand is that my garden had millions of ladybirds two years ago, they seemed to be positively thriving but I've only seen one this year so far. I'm wondering whether I've inadvertantly destroyed their breeding ground by removing a 6ft section of privet which had ivy growing through it as they seemed to be more prolific in this area :wall:

I'm thinking of perhaps buying some online. Has anyone bought from this company before?

http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Ladybirds.html#aLB005

mary43

chameleon - thanks, but I couldn't see the image.........just a box with a red x in it..........is there a link you can put up ?

~Chameleon~

mary43 wrote: »

chameleon - thanks, but I couldn't see the image.........just a box with a red x in it..........is there a link you can put up ?

Sorry Mary, only just noticed your reply

The link is http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/gallery/files/2/1/2/9/cockchafer.jpg

I was wondering if it might have been a cockchafer although I'm not sure if it's getting a bit late in the year for those now

Money_saving_Diva_2

Help!!

I have these little black fluttery flies that seem to have arrived with a new houseplant. They seem to live in the soil and when I water it, they come up and fly around. I kill as many as I can, but I am worried about them and wonder if they will hurt my plant or spread to others.

I have put the plant into isolation for now, :rotfl: but any help with this would be reallllllllly appreciated!! I am happy to spray my houseplants with anything, to get rid of them!!

Thank you so much!:T

Davesnave

Money_saving_Diva wrote: »

Help!!

I have these little black fluttery flies that seem to have arrived with a new houseplant. They seem to live in the soil and when I water it, they come up and fly around. I kill as many as I can, but I am worried about them and wonder if they will hurt my plant or spread to others.

I have put the plant into isolation for now, :rotfl: but any help with this would be reallllllllly appreciated!! I am happy to spray my houseplants with anything, to get rid of them!!

Thank you so much!:T

Might be these:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/pests_and_diseases/nonflash_index.shtml?black_fungus_gnats