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How do I know which insects are eating my plants?

Often you find unwanted livestock in the garden - yes, insects and bugs! However, sometimes it's hard to know what the insect is as they hide under leaves and are difficult to see. The Garden Doctor has put together some easy ways to help you identify and control insect problems in the garden. Click Here to see their effective sprays

APHIDS are suckers. They feed by sucking sap out of plants in much the same way as a mosquito sucks blood. Because plants cannot slap the aphids or flick them off with their tail, they just sit there sucking away and multiplying.

Aphids can be a real problem in the garden. Particularly in early spring and autumn. Often Aphids hide in the leaves - so look carefully at your plants when you notice a change in there growth habit. But you don't have to worry there are a number of ways in which you can control them. Look out for insecticides at your local garden store and feel free to ask the advice of the shop assistants when making your purchase.

Symptoms:

• Stunting, curls, and folds in the leaves.
• Leaf discoloration;
• Dieback or "flagging" of newly formed terminals, branch ends, and new leaves; |
• Early leaf drop;
• Ring like swellings or knots at nodes and buds
• Sooty mold and ants frequenting a tree are good indicators of an active or recent aphid attack.

Solution:

The good news is that aphids are relatively easy to control - just make sure you get thorough spray/dust coverage. Note: like mosquitoes aphids can transmit diseases. Another reason to keep them out of your garden.

• Make sure conditions are favorable for sturdy plant growth. Avoid using nitrogen-rich fertilisers. This encourages soft growth which attracts aphids.
• Inspect plants regularly and squash any aphids that are seen.
• Pick off heavily infested shoots and leaves and drop into a bucket of soapy water.
• A strong jet of water from a hose will dislodge aphids.
• Spray with an insecticide