Potters Blog » Pests & Pest Control

Bugs for Bugs @ 152

Carren — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:52:26 +0000

Every day I stroll through my container garden, to see what’s newly emerging, blooming, or to search for pests. Yesterday I saw APHIDS!! Argh. Two seconds after my initial frustration, I spotted a Ladybug. Yeah! 3 points for the red team. Go Ladies Go!

I had purchased a bag of Ladybugs two Summers ago and they have overwintered in my garden. I waited extra long this Spring to do my clean up because they hunker down in the debris in my containers for the winter and I didn’t want to disturb them. I’ve accidentally unearthed them a couple of times. Whoops. But I think I am forgiven.

If you are interested in getting some Ladybugs for your own garden, we sell them in bags of 250. They munch on Aphids of course, but they also like to eat Soft Scale, Whitefly Pupa, Thrips, and Spidermite. 1 bag covers 10 medium plants or up to 3 trees.

Slug B Gon Slug and Snail Bait

Carren — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:36:06 +0000

I tested a product last week that I hadn’t seen before and I give it a giant green thumbs up! In the past, I have used other slug and snail bait, which works fine and is safe for pets and wildlife, but I think Slug B Gon might be better. It also says on the package that it is safe for pets, birds and wildlife.

I found it very easy to apply. I just sprinkled the tiny pellets around in my containers and on the ground (instead of leaving piles or drawing barriers). Right away, I saw two slugs go to it and take a bite!

The pellets have been rained on 3 times now and are standing up well. I poked around last night and found evidence that it is indeed doing a very good job (I won’t describe the carnage for you squeamish ones out there…)

It also says on the package that “any uneaten bait will degrade and become part of the soil”. Good, then I won’t have to pick up any old, leftover, hardened, bait piles!

Great Idea… Too Bad It’s Not Available In Canada!!!

Scott — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:17:01 +0000

The primary ingredient in Mole-Med is castor oil, a material that moles despise; both its smell and its taste. As soon as the mole detects the presence of Mole-Med, it will move immediately to a territory that does not have Mole-Med. While Mole-Med is designed to repel moles, tests have shown that it is an effective repellent for rabbits, squirrels, woodchucks, raccoons, and skunks.

*Currently Unavailable in Canada

Information obtained from:http://yardener.com/YardenersToolshedofProducts/PestAnimalControlProducts/MoleControlProducts/MoleMedRepellent

I’m Not A Bad Bug!

Tia — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:17:44 +0000

The other day I received a letter in the mail asking me to put the word out… so I am posting it here! I have to say a little tear was in my eye by the end..

To whom it may concern,

Please send a message out into the world that I am not a bad bug. I am simply the younger form of a ladybug. I may not be pretty, but I will be when I grow up. I am eating all the aphids I can and will continue doing my job as long as you don’t squish me or buy a spray to kill me.

Yours Truly,

Lady

Squirrels, Squirrels, Go Away

Tia — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:06:28 +0000

And stay away from my bulbs! Every fall I spend a small fortune on bulbs for the spring and I actually keep them over the Winter! I am going to share my secret with you on how I have come to actually enjoy them blooming in the spring. I plant all my bulbs in pots and cover them with a fine screen (window screening) and tape down the edges. As my tulip and daffodil bulbs pop up in the spring I take off the screening. The squirrels seem to leave them alone once they have popped out of the soil! I will beat them at their game yet!

The Scarecrow

Scott — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:31:30 +0000

” I’ve just built a pond in my backyard and the raccoons are destroying it!” I hear this everyday, and really there isn’t much you can do about. I’ve seen a lot of time and money wasted on techniques that are either useless or just stink (a client of ours use to bury fish waste at the other end of his yard to attract the raccoons there rather than his pond… it didn’t work). Although one item that does seem to be effective for both raccoons and herons is called The Scarecrow. The Scarecrow works by creating sudden and unexpected noises and movements which spooks off any trespassing pond pest. This product will also work on hungry husbands.

Interesting Fly Facts

Scott — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:12:49 +0000

I’m your host, Scott “Buzz Buzz” Pasternak and I’m here to tell you, flies are interesting! Did you know the following facts about flies?

Flies are in the order Diptera.

Flies, unlike most winged insects, only have one pair of complete wings. Their hind wings are reduced and modified to structures called halteres which help them to balance and manoeuvre when flying.

A dipterist is an entomologist who specializes in flies.

Flies don’t grow. They are born full size.

There are over 150,000 species of flies in the world which is 14% of the world’s know insect fauna.

Forensic entomologists use the predictable nature of flies to help solve crimes.

A fly’s wings beat 200 times per second.

Flies smell with their antennae.

The largest fly in the world, Gauromydas heros or the Midas fly, can reach a length of 6 cm (2.4 in) and a wingspan of 10 cm (4 in).

Salt n’ ….?

Chris — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:38:22 +0000

Do you know one household item that is a GREAT weed killer? Good old fashioned vinegar. It’s an acid that plants don’t like and basically burns the heck out anything it’s sprayed on. Keep in mind that it kills almost any plant where it’s sprayed so don’t spray it on the ones you want to keep. But it’s great for spot weed treatments in the garden, getting rid of liverwort in pots, killing mushrooms, killing horsetail, etc, etc. Also, f you have a big bowl of piping hot chips, well, you know what else vinegar is good for…

Holes In My Leaves!

Tia — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 07:45:57 +0000

Walking to work the other day I noticed a lot of damage in the trees…as in caterpillar damage. The best solution is called BTK. This is a product that you spray on your trees, and when those little pests start eating it takes care of them! It will be their last meal! Oh, that sounds mean of me… but they really should have picked a better meal… like a plate of lasagna.

Slugs n Snails in BC

Chris — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:39:16 +0000

I’m still getting a lot of people coming in with damaged leaves from slugs n snails.. apparently they’re still hungry! A good way to get rid of the slimy little buggers is the old stand-by, Cory’s Slug n Snail Bait. But in this day and age where we’re doing our best to move away from pesticides, an even better way is Safer’s Slug & Snail Bait. The Safer’s product is not harmful to pets, wildlife and children (but the Cory’s is!) Both products are very effective but for my money, the one that is effective and safe gets my vote over the poisonous pesticide anyday.