Identifying common garden pests

Identifying which creatures are responsible for eating the valuable fruit, vegetables salads or herbs which you have lovingly tended to all summer long, can be a real challenge. Harrod Horticultural has come to the rescue with the Little Book of Pests supported by the email advice service provided by Pest Control Expert Julian Ives.

The Little Book of Pests contains information on all the common garden pests - from ants and aphids to vine weevil and whitefly – how to spot them and what to do about them, which is where our new Natural Choice range of completely organic pest control products come in, all perfectly safe to use around children, pets and wildlife and kind to the environment. Read on for Julian’s pest control advice and suitable remedies for the months of May and June, straight from the expert. Early summer is the season to capture and trap moths and damaging beetle species, not only to reduce their numbers but also to check for presence and plan how to control them.

Early summer is the time that pheromone traps should be put out to catch the male moths just beginning to fly. The new pheromone lures will last the whole moth flying season, not half of it like traditional trap lure and by replacing them each year the traps can be reused. Hang the traps in fruit trees and wait for the traps to start catching moths. Codling Moth Trap and Lure (GPC-214) or Plum Fruit Moth Trap and Lure (GPC-028) £7.95.

A first in the gardening market, this trap uses a specific attractant lure to entice and trap adult Garden Chafer beetles, an early warning of forthcoming Chafer grub damage in lawns later in the summer. If beetles are caught it is a good idea to pre-order Chafer Grub

Killer Nematodes (GPC-290 £29.95) for delivery in August when the Chafer grubs may appear. Garden Chafer Trap and Lure (GPC-117) £16.95.

Now is protection time for raspberries. The attractant lure used in the trap lasts for up to six weeks, by topping up you’ll have an up to date attractant lure in the trap through summer and autumn. If you start catching large numbers of beetles, consider spraying them with Insect Killer Spray (GPC-027 £5.95) from Harrod Horticultural. Raspberry Beetle Trap and Lures (GPC-126) £16.95.

The Little Book of Pests is available to download from harrodhorticultural.com.