Pest Control
At Hunters Garden Centre you can find a full range of natural pesticides including organic and biological pest control methods.
We carry a selection of the SafersTM brand of pesticides including their Insecticidal Soap, Trounce, End All, and Slug Bait which are considered to be the safest pesticides for humans and pets. These products can safely be used on your vegetable crops up until the day before harvest.
In addition to natural pesticides we carry a selection of biological pest control methods. These control methods contain non-toxic substances that are not harmful to pets, wildlife, children, or adults.
If you or someone you know is having an issue with a pest in your home or garden we encourage you to collect a sample of the insect or damage being done. Then bring the sample into one of our stores to speak with a qualified pesticide dispenser.
In addition to our organic pesticides we carry a range of synthetic pesticides for harder to solve problems in the event that the organic pesticides do not provide the measure of control you are looking for. These include RoundUp, Killex, and other pesticides.
LEARN MORE ABOUT
What Are Aphids and How to Control Aphids?
Aphids are a common garden pest that can vary in many different colours, but are usually green, black or yellow. They are small soft-bodied insects that have needle-like mouthparts to pierce plants. They can attack many plants from fruit trees to vegetables to indoor plants.
Damage
Aphids damage plants by sucking the sap from leaves, twigs, stems, or roots. This can also transfer diseases in the process. Usually you will find a cluster of them feeding under leaves or stems. They can produce a sticky substance also known as “honeydew” onto the leaves of your plant. The “honeydew” will usually attract other pests such as ants, flies or wasps due to the sweet taste. Leaves that have been attacked will have spotty yellow discolouration. Leaves may dry out, wilt or yellow. Young growth may be distorted or wilted.
Life Cycle
Aphids can multiply quickly through the seasons. Young aphids are called nymphs. They molt, shedding their skin about four times before becoming adults. There is no pupal stage. Some species produce sexual forms that mate and produce eggs in fall or winter, providing a more hardy stage to survive harsh weather and the absence of foliage on deciduous plant. They will usually lay their eggs on leaves. The females that hatch from the eggs in the spring give birth continuously without mating. They can produce up to 80 eggs a week. Aphid populations will increase quickly in the spring and summer.
Biological Control
Ladybugs are a great way to naturally eradicate aphids from your garden. They are predators both as adults and larvae, consuming about 50 aphids daily. After receiving ladybugs, they can be released right away or stored in the fridge for 3 – 4 weeks. The best time to release them is at dusk, when the bugs are least active, and the environment is not as hot/ dry. It is also a good idea to mist the area that you are going to be releasing them. You can also put a little tray of water with sugar or FLAT soda and that will make the ladybugs wings sticky to prevent them from flying away upon awakening. You can incrementally release the ladybugs throughout the span of a few weeks and keep re-introducing predators to combat your pest population. They are usually available mid-April to summer.
Mechanical Control
Spray the leaves of infested plants with a garden hose. A forceful stream of water should be enough to dislodge the aphids. Direct the stream toward the underside of the leaves, where aphids tend to congregate. Hose down your plants 1-2 times a day until the infestation starts to thin out. Plucking off infected leaves is also good precaution to take to prevent further spread.
Chemical Control
Safer’s® insecticidal soap is recommended to control aphids. They leave no toxic residue, so they don’t kill natural enemies (ladybugs) that migrate in after the spray. These sprays will smother the aphid. Thoroughly cover the infected area under the leaves and on top. It is a contact spray so it must be sprayed directly on the bug for it to have effect. Apply weekly for 2 – 3 weeks and thereafter repeat if needed.
LEARN MORE ABOUT
What Are Aphids and How to Control Aphids?
Aphids are a common garden pest that can vary in many different colours, but are usually green, black or yellow. They are small soft-bodied insects that have needle-like mouthparts to pierce plants. They can attack many plants from fruit trees to vegetables to indoor plants.
Damage
Aphids damage plants by sucking the sap from leaves, twigs, stems, or roots. This can also transfer diseases in the process. Usually you will find a cluster of them feeding under leaves or stems. They can produce a sticky substance also known as “honeydew” onto the leaves of your plant. The “honeydew” will usually attract other pests such as ants, flies or wasps due to the sweet taste. Leaves that have been attacked will have spotty yellow discolouration. Leaves may dry out, wilt or yellow. Young growth may be distorted or wilted.
Life Cycle
Aphids can multiply quickly through the seasons. Young aphids are called nymphs. They molt, shedding their skin about four times before becoming adults. There is no pupal stage. Some species produce sexual forms that mate and produce eggs in fall or winter, providing a more hardy stage to survive harsh weather and the absence of foliage on deciduous plant. They will usually lay their eggs on leaves. The females that hatch from the eggs in the spring give birth continuously without mating. They can produce up to 80 eggs a week. Aphid populations will increase quickly in the spring and summer.
Biological Control
Ladybugs are a great way to naturally eradicate aphids from your garden. They are predators both as adults and larvae, consuming about 50 aphids daily. After receiving ladybugs, they can be released right away or stored in the fridge for 3 – 4 weeks. The best time to release them is at dusk, when the bugs are least active, and the environment is not as hot/ dry. It is also a good idea to mist the area that you are going to be releasing them. You can also put a little tray of water with sugar or FLAT soda and that will make the ladybugs wings sticky to prevent them from flying away upon awakening. You can incrementally release the ladybugs throughout the span of a few weeks and keep re-introducing predators to combat your pest population. They are usually available mid-April to summer.
Mechanical Control
Spray the leaves of infested plants with a garden hose. A forceful stream of water should be enough to dislodge the aphids. Direct the stream toward the underside of the leaves, where aphids tend to congregate. Hose down your plants 1-2 times a day until the infestation starts to thin out. Plucking off infected leaves is also good precaution to take to prevent further spread.
Chemical Control
Safer’s® insecticidal soap is recommended to control aphids. They leave no toxic residue, so they don’t kill natural enemies (ladybugs) that migrate in after the spray. These sprays will smother the aphid. Thoroughly cover the infected area under the leaves and on top. It is a contact spray so it must be sprayed directly on the bug for it to have effect. Apply weekly for 2 – 3 weeks and thereafter repeat if needed.
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FAQs
The European Chafer Beetle, Rhizotrogus majalis, is a serious turf pest. In 2001 it was found in New Westminster, British Columbia, in lawns and boulevards. It has spread and is now found throughout Greater Vancouver.
The grubs cause damage to your lawn by eating the roots of the turf. They feed on all types of grass and, if food is scarce, may move into vegetable plantings to feed on corn, potatoes and other crops.
A healthy, vigorous, well-irrigated lawn can deter a grub infestation.
Predatory nematodes are available for grub control in late July, but they need to be ordered in early June. Nematodes work best if applied when grubs are in the larvae stage which is from late July until early August. There are many types of Nematodes, be sure to ask for the Nematodes for the European Chafer Beetle.
Click here for more information and to download the full European Chafer Beetle Information Brochure.
Aphids are a common garden pest that can vary in many different colours, but are usually green, black or yellow. They are small soft-bodied insects that have needle-like mouthparts to pierce plants. They can attack many plants from fruit trees to vegetables to indoor plants.
Aphids damage plants by sucking the sap from leaves, twigs, stems, or roots. This can also transfer diseases in the process. Usually you will find a cluster of them feeding under leaves or stems.
Ladybugs are a great way to naturally eradicate aphids from your garden. They are predators both as adults and larvae, consuming about 50 aphids daily.
Click here for more information and to download the full Aphid Information Brochure.
