Better manage pests naturally

Daily walk and digital control Beat the feet and get your eyes and hands on the job. On a daily wander, you can squash aphids, snails, caterpillars; drop slugs or green vege bugs into soapy water or collect for your chooks; or all of the above. It makes for heaps less pests.

As you go around, thin any plants that need it, to create healthy airflow and give good access to predators (especially birds). Drop the thinnings on the ground and stack another benefit, as you gently strengthen the soil food web.

Covers Insect mesh is wondrous, excluding the pests from the get-go. Though, be warned, there may have been eggs already beneath or on the seedlings. You’ll save the day here with your daily walk. Use tall hoops or cloches, so as to keep a healthy airflow. Smaller covered sections are easier at harvest time.

Sprays Even safer spray resounds somewhere – gardens are stronger the less we intervene. Aim to spray less as you build your confidence and your garden up. But I do have two sprays on hand.

* Neem is for invertebrates that suck or chew. It must be ingested to work. It’s not a contact killer – this is a big difference. Use it for aphids, scale, thrips, passionvine hopper juveniles, psyllids, blister mite, bronze beetles and shield bugs. I like Naturally Neem, which is processed for consistency. Be sure to repeat spray for the next generation, and spray more frequently for hard shelled insects.

* BT is the active ingredient in organic caterpillar sprays and like neem, must be ingested to work. It is caterpillar specific, which is what makes it safer to use in the garden.

But of course, there are many other beneficial insects that begin life as caterpillars – moths included – so it always pays to spray judiciously.