Insect and Disease Control
Aisle
Neem Tree Oil
General natural insecticide A new and effective, natural control of most garden insect pests such as whitefly, mites, caterpillars, thrips, mealy bugs, aphids and scale insects. Rather than an immediate kill of the existing insects, it prevents them from feeding, developing and reproducing thus causing the numbers to die away. It has the added advantage of not affecting beneficial insects, bees and earthworms. This product will be an important part of insect control in the near future, with many synthetic pesticides being removed from the market and insects becoming more resistant to the remaining chemical solutions. Mix 5ml of Neem Tree Oil with every litre of warm water and spray onto plants. Can be used with Raingard (at 1ml per litre) to aid with spreading aspects. Also has some fungicide properties and will control black spot and rust. For articles on this product written by Wally Richards, click on this link Wally Richards - Neem Tree Products |
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Key Pyrethrum
Key Pyrethrum is a commercial insecticide registered for use (in larger volumes) for use on food crops because it is natural and safe to use. It is now available to the home gardener in 200ml bottles. Pyrethrins are natural insecticides produced by certain species of Chrysanthemums. The extracted oils from the flowers are contact poisons to the insect. They are absorbed into their nerve system within minutes. Some pests will recover because enzymes on the insect can detoxify the Pyrethrum. To make sure the job is done, it's a good idea to use with Neem Tree Oil. Use Key Pyrethrum at a rate of between 1ml to 2.5ml per litre of water and spray every 7 days or so if mixing with Neem tree Oil, or as required. For best results, use just before dusk to prevent the spray being broken down by UV light. If you are using nitrogen rich, water soluble fertilisers and Nitrophoska you are making the plant more attractive to insects as that generates soft, sappy growth. Keep Key Pyrethrum and Neem Tree Oil on hand to combat the problem. |
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Professor Mac's 3in1
A natural control of lawn pests, with fertiliser and wetting agent. This product will effectively control grass grubs, porina caterpillar, black beetle, slugs and root nematodes in your lawn without the use of chemical poisons. Apply at a rate of 1 litre to 25 litres of water over 50 square metres of lawn, then lightly water in to get the oils off the grass and onto the soil. A Green keepers secret weapon. |
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Perkfection Supa
(no withholding period) This new product can be used by the home gardener to help roses and other plants recover from and prevent diseases. Initially use at a rate of 7ml per litre. Sprayed onto the plant, Perkfection will travel through the plant and naturally assist the plant to overcome disease. Subsequent monthly treatments should be done at 4ml per litre of water, for up to 5 times in the season. What this does is place the active ingredient (Phosphonic Acid) onto the foliage where Perkfection synthesizes organic phosphates. Once on the foliage, it is absorbed and transferred through the whole plant. The plants cells are fortified which means its immune system is boosted. NB. Perkfection has blue food dye added which can fade when exposed to light. Its performance is not affected. |
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Liquid Copper
Now easy to use in liquid form, copper is a long established method of preventing disease. It will also overcome some diseases as long as they are not too established. Use with Raingard and spray on after pruning to protect from disease. Works on downy mildew, late blight, early blight, brown rot, leaf curl, bacterial disease and most disease on citrus plants. Also use it to protect your plants from slugs and snails - they won't go near it. Mix at a rate of 3.5ml per litre of water and add Raingard for increased effectiveness. |
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Liquid Sulphur
Another extremely effective product for controlling diseases such as black spot, rust, powdery mildew, leaf moulds or spots, and botrytis without damaging soil life. Will also control mites. Use with Raingard to ensure it stays longer on the plant. Mix at a rate of 2.5ml of Liquid Sulphur to 1 litre of water. It's very viscous, so add some of your water to the measuring cup and mix, then add it to the balance of your water and mix again. For roses,use for powdery mildew, black spot, rust and mites, and every 7-10 days for new growth. Protect your tomatoes from botrytis and mildew. Apply every 14 days, but not when flowering or when setting fruit as it interferes with pollination. Don't use this product in conjunction with oil sprays. |
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