Author's Profile

Pest & Disease Management - Moles

- Moles are widespread throughout Britain but absent from Ireland. Even small populations can damage sports turf, playing surfaces and amenity lawns, but control may not be necessary in less intensively used or managed areas. The damage is a side-effect of moles' subterranean lifestyle - they live on a diet of worms and other soil invertebrates and, although they do not eat plant material, they could damage roots by tunnelling.

18 May - Blister aphid alert

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4 May - Beware of fungus

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Pest & Disease Factsheet - Caterpillars

- The biting mouthparts of this large group of pests mean that all parts of the plant are at risk of attack.

11 April - Notify beekeepers

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6 April - Take care with warm days and cold nights

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Pest & Disease Factsheet: Leaf, stem, bud and bulb nematodes/eelworms

- Eelworm pests are numerous and can damage a range of plants but some species are beneficial.

23 March - Soften hard water in your spray tank

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16 March - Be prepared for powdery mildew

- Powdery mildew Warmer days can bring out powdery mildew on miniature roses. Apply Amistar (EoA 2009-0443), food-grade potassium bicarbonate or Systhane 20EW if seen.

Pest & Disease Management - Wild rabbits

- The animal's fast reproduction makes eradication impractical, but cooperative effort can limit crop damage.

9 March - Take action to avoid leaf crinkle

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2 March - Top dressing time for stock and trees

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Pest & Disease Factsheet - Peach leaf curl

- Despite its limited impact on plant health, this fungal infection can cause customers to reject plants.

24 February - Control options for peach leaf curl

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17 February - Be aware of sale and use deadlines

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3 February - Calibrate sprayers to improve control

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Pest & Disease Factsheet - Damping off

- This disease kills seedlings by drawing on the nutrients of a host's dead cells, causing plants to collapse.

27 January - Watch out for pine aphids and mildew

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