Pest Alert – Problem Insect Outlook for May 2020
go.ncsu.edu/readext?683950
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲May is looking like it is going to be a great month for gardening in Western North Carolina! April has been really good as well, with moderate rain and temperatures and not too much wind creating some of the best floral displays in recent memory. This is shaping up to be a great spring in the garden.
Mild weather is not only good for our vegetable, fruit, and ornamental plants but it is also beneficial to insects. Not, to worry. Most insects (97%) are either beneficial or benign as far as humans are concerned. Those 3% of harmful insects can be troublesome to gardeners.
What to Look For (click insect name for links to NC State Extension Publications)
Saddleback caterpillars – These caterpillars have poisonous hairs that sting the skin. Wear long sleeves and gloves when gardening amongst plants.
Eastern tent caterpillars – These caterpillars build communal nests in webs at the crotches of branches during the spring. Use a long stick to poke holes in the nests and the birds will do the rest.
Japanese beetles – These invasive insects usually will not emerge until later in the month of May and into early June. However if the weather gets warm they can emerge earlier. They can feed on many different plants. You will find them congregating on plants early in the morning. You can shake them off into a bucket of soapy water. If they are causing too much damage, an insecticide may be needed such as Neem.
Caterpillars on veggies – Cool season veggies such as cabbage and broccoli can get hammered by caterpillars ruining your crop. Use BT or Spinosad.
Aphids – Aphids can feed on many different kinds of plants. A strong stream of water is usually enough to dislodge these tiny insects.
Ants in the home – use baits to control ants in the home
Spider mites – We saw a lot of early season mites this year so it is likely we will have more this summer. Spider mites are tough to control. Increase air flow through plants with pruning. Treat with Neem if necessary.
Grubs in turf – the larvae of Japanese beetles eat turf roots killing lawns. Milky Spore insecticide can be effective
Non Pesticide Insect Controls
- physical removal – remove insects by hand; drop into soapy water
- wash away with a strong stream of water
- biological pesticides – BT, milky spore, Spinosad, Neem
- soaps – Safer soap
- oils – horticultural oil, essential oils
- beneficial insects – provide shelter, food, and water; reduce and limit insecticide use
- Pesticide tips
-read the label and follow instructions
-don’t buy too much
-target specific problem
-use sparingly
-remember to protect beneficial insects