Pest remedies can be preventive or curative in nature. The best thing would be to anticipate the problem, but to achieve this you must have a certain knowledge of gardening and know the garden very well in order to understand what the plants need in the different seasons, as well as knowing which pests they will be exposed to.

 

If you cannot prevent them, the best thing to do is to react quickly to pests using the appropriate product to get rid of them, which can be chemical or environmentally-friendly. Currently, chemical products are used more than environmentally-friendly insecticides, as there are more of them on the market and their level of effectiveness, with certain specific pests, is immediate. 

 

However, the use of these products requires the rigorous and exhaustive reading of their instructions, so that the doses, the time of application and the safety periods specified by the manufacturer are fully respected.

 

Plant lice and woodlice.  These are the most common garden pests and they attack practically all plant species. Plant lice are treated with systemic insecticides which should be applied once a month during spring and summer.

 

If there are ladybirds in the garden, they will provide the best remedy for these insects as they feed on them. The preventive treatment against woodlice is carried out by spraying first in May and then again twenty days later. This is much more efficient if the product is directed at larvae instead of the adult insect.

 

Earthworms. There are different types and they damage ornamental plants, tubers, bulbs and grass. They are treated with soil insecticides and they are particularly active in spring and autumn.

 

Whitefly.  The heat and humidity suit them, as such when these weather conditions are approaching, it is best to carry out preventive spraying with suitable products. They attack many vegetables.

 

Red spider.  This is a pest that thrives in warm and humid environments and which damages numerous species. It is treated with insecticide. 

 

Wasps.  They appear when the good weather arrives and damage all plants. They are treated with wasp repellents, but it is also sensible to keep an eye on all the openings on neighbouring buildings as these are the places where the queen wasps nest. 

 

Grey worms.  They are large caterpillars which devour any kind of grass. It is advisable to stop them attacking in spring by using specific products.

 

Crickets. They are particularly damaging to the grass, and it is more effective to get rid of them when they hatch. The end of spring is a good time to treat this pest.

 

It is essential to use chemical products correctly and follow the manufacturer�s instructions to the letter. Overusing pesticide or using it unnecessarily can be more harmful for the plant than the damage caused by the pest. Any doubts concerning their use, should be discussed with the staff at the nursery or garden centre. Nevertheless, here are some basic recommendations.

 

The best time for fumigating is first thing in the morning, and it should never be done at temperatures higher than 25� C, with wind or just after it has rained, or when the garden is wet after watering.

 

It is sensible to protect yourself with a mask, gloves, goggles and boots, as well as refraining from eating, drinking and smoking whilst applying the insecticide.

 

The entire plant must be efficiently sprayed and if it is a powdered product, effectiveness should take precedence over abundance when applying it, such that it is sufficient to sprinkle a very thin layer over the plant. Once the treatment is complete, you must dispose of the remaining product, but this must not be thrown into ponds as it will kill any animal which drinks the water or which lives in the pond.

 

The pesticides and accessories used for this task should never be left within reach of children, and in the event that the product comes into contact with the skin or eyes, the best thing to do is to wash the affected area with plenty of water and contact the 24-hour service of the Toxicology and Forensic Science Institute on 915 620 420.