“To grow healthy plants you must control pests and disease before they control your garden.”

Insects and disease in this Region are numerous but only a few of these will affect your garden at any one time; so you must take the necessary precaution by checking the leaves of your plants for insects and disease attacks that you may encounter during these summer months.

Sucking Insects

Aphids: These are small moving colonies of insects that feed on the young growing tips of plants by sucking the sap and causing distortion in growth. They are most active outdoors during spring and summer and anytime of the year indoors.

Control: Spray with Orfhene Systemic Insect Spray or Diazinon Insect Spray.

Scale Insects: There are different types of scale insects found on fruit trees and ornamental plants. Some species exclude a honeydew on which a sooty mold grows. They are one of the more common vegetable garden pest in summer which attacks tomatoes; cucumber; and beans.

Control: Regular spraying with Orthene Systemic Insect Spray at 7 to 10 days intervals eliminates adults as they appear, reducing the spread of this pest. During the dormant season, you should spray with Oil of Emulsion.

Mealy Bugs: These pale insects are covered with a white mealy powder and they excrete a honey dew substance on which a black sooty mold grows.

Control: Spray affected plants with an insecticide containing Orthene Systemic Insect Spray or Diazinon Insect Spray. During the dormant season (November-February) spray the trunk and branches of citrus trees with Oil of Emulsion and Blackleaf40.

Chewing Insects

Codling Moth: This is an insect that attacks fruits on the trees. Damage varies from small blemishes on the fruit where the larva enter the fruit on its surface and tunnels its way to the seeds which it feeds on and causes extensive damage to the fruit.

Control: Spray with Orthene Systemic Insect Spray or Diazinon Insect Spray and remember to follow the Manufacturer’s label directions. Apply a second application 14 days later and do not apply any spray 4 weeks before picking your fruit.

Leafroller Caterpillar: These are usually green in colour and often roll leaves together using silken threads to make a shelter. By feeding on the leaves, they create large and irregular shapes in the leaves of the plants they attack.

Control: Spray with Orthene Systemic Insect Spray; Sevin or Diazinon Insect Spray.

Thrips: This is a tiny insect barely visible to the naked eye. Dark specks of excrement are noticeable on the underside of the leaves. Citrus trees are most affected by these insects.

Control: Spray with Orthene Systemic Insect Spray and apply especially during the summer months to prevent damage to your fruits.

Spreader-Sticker of Dish Washing Liquid: Remember to add this very important ingredient of two teaspoons of dish washing liquid to one gallon of solution to all your spraying exercises.

Bahamas Met. Office (1971-2000) Average Rainfall for July: 8.33 inches

PLANTING GUIDE FOR GUIDE JULY

FLOWERS: Aster, Cosmos, Gaillardia, Marigold, Portuluca, Periwinkle, Salvia.

VEGETABLES: Celery, Collards, Egg Plant, Okra, Pepper, Spinach, Turnip.

GRASSES: Bahia, Bermuda.

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