Tips to Pests Proff Your Fruit Trees
The spring and summer months present their challenges as we wage war on insect pests that seek to rob us of our harvest, these uninvited guests though active in spring and summer time can still be found lurking in our gardens during the fall season. Now is not the time to sit back and relax but to continue to keep a watch for these pests that can cause much damage.
If you’re facing a pest issue or want to keep their population at an acceptable level to ensure that your fruit trees continue to thrive and grow healthy through the fall months there are options or measures you can put in place to have success. We will be discussing some of these options that have proven to be effective to ensure that you reap a good harvest. Implementing one or a combination of these best practices will yield good results.
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5 Effective Methods to Control Fall Insect Pests
1. Beneficial Insects
Beneficial insects are tiny soldiers that police our gardens by feeding on garden insect pests, this is nature’s way or a natural means that’s also known as biological control. The use of beneficial insects is a safe approach especially when growing edible crops, the use of beneficial insects however has its drawbacks because this process of pest control can take some time before results can be achieved.
In the case where garden pests have reached a level that’s threatening to plant health then other methods of control should be considered, like the use of pesticides that will deliver a quick knockdown bringing complete control.
- Beneficial insects that are active in the fall
- How to release beneficial insects in your fall garden
- How to attract beneficial insects to your fall garden
- Releasing and keeping beneficial Insects in your garden
- How to attract beneficial insects to control garden pests
2. Organic Spray Application
Not Just any (harmful pesticides) spray but the use of organic spray application will help to reduce garden insect pest populations bringing control. Organic pesticides are a perfect fit for edible plants and for the environment including our ecosystem which includes wildlife, pollinators, and beneficial insects. Some of these pesticides for example are neem oil, Bacillus thuringeiensis, Diatomaceous Earth, Horticultural vinegar, garlic, vegetable and fish oils, etc…. Before applying pesticides read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for the best results.
3. Setting Up Pest Barricades
The use of barricades has proven to be effective against snails and slugs, this method works by hindering or blocking their path from getting to the plant’s fruits. All you do is place copper bands around the trunk of your tree. Copper bands are known to carry a small amount of electrical charge when bugs, slugs, or snails come in contact with bands causing garden pests to move away from your fruit tree.
4. Sticky Traps
Sticky traps are an effective way to trap garden insect pests, the purpose of sticky traps is to catch and trap bugs where they are no threat to your fruits. One product that has proven to get the job done is Tanglefoot. Simply paint Tanglefoot on the trunk of the fruit tree, another product that can be used is yellow sticky traps, these traps are easy to use and will give good results.
5. Attracting Birds to Your Garden
This natural method is a natural way of reducing insect populations, the key is attracting birds to your garden that act as a habitat, the use of native plants will help. Also, the installation of a birdbath, and setting up several nesting boxes. Adding a bird feeder with bird feed will help however this could be a little tricky because while you want the birds to feed on the insects you don’t want to keep feeding them where they get their fill of the bird feed and not the insects. Keep the bird feeder at a minimum.
Additional information
- While insects will continue to lurk in are gardens we can further discourage them from our gardens by keeping their population at a controllable level by ensuring that our gardens are clean and free of weeds because weeds are also known to be a hiding and a resting place for insect pests so keeping a garden that’s clean and neat can offer some help
- Don’t leave fallen fruits on the ground because bugs will overwinter in fallen fruits and will then emerge when the warmer months arrive. Clean up all fallen insect-infested fruits from the ground and conceal them in a plastic bag, tie the bag and thoroughly dispose of the plastic bag.
The final word on how to protect fruit trees from fall insects
Although insects are still active during the fall months their population can be reduced and brought under control by applying one or more of these methods, this guide is here to bring control so you can reap a good harvest. Why let garden insect pests enjoy the fruits of your labor when you can strike back achieving the results you want? Help your fruit trees to win the war on garden insect pests with these proven methods.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Protecting fruit trees from fall insects is vital for a fruitful harvest; I’ve learned from my experience that introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs and maintaining tree health, along with the strategies you’ve mentioned in your post, is a comprehensive approach that has significantly improved the health of my orchard. Thanks for the cool post found it super helpful. Have a good one.
The falls presents opportunities to continue to work with nature for pest management. So happy to help. Have a great day.
I love this article, Norman. It’s great that you are suggesting natural or non-chemical solutions to the problem of Autumnal pest insects. In particular, I am interested in how you use beneficial insects. I see from following one of your links that you suggest the use of certain plants to retain the beneficial insects in the garden once they have been released. Perhaps you could write us another article on those plants to build upon the paragraph that you have provided already?
Thank you again Norman. I really loved reading this.
Simon
Thank you for your kind words, there are safe methods that can be use for control methods. Glad to help and I will provide thar list of plants