It is often easier to control insect pests when they are young and when populations are not too large. Attention should be paid to plants that have sustained significant damage the previous year. This could prevent the same insects from re-establishing themselves to cause further damage. If a person isn’t comfortable tackling this type of task, they should hire Atlas Exterminator Co Inc in Columbia MD.
Controlling the pest population
A regular check of your plants should be done throughout the summer. There was a time when it was recommended to apply insecticides as the first intervention against insect pests. This time is fortunately far behind society.
Creating barriers
Barriers are used to prevent insects from reaching plants. Homeowners can:
* Use a cover (textile cloth, mosquito net) on plants more susceptible to attack by certain pests.
* Protect young seedlings that appear to be eaten. Use a cardboard, plastic or metal cylinder (can with removable ends) placed around the seedlings.
* Apply sticky substances (like petroleum jelly) to the base of the plants if crawling insects are seen (caterpillars) climbing up to eat the leaves. It can also be used to prevent ants from scaling certain areas.
* Use abrasive substances such as rock dust or crushed egg shells around damaged plants. These abrasive substances damage the skin of crawling insects (or other crawling organisms such as slugs) to the point of killing them. However, this method can also kill useful insects.
Biological control
Biological control involves the use of natural enemies (predators, parasites, parasitoids, pathogens) to reduce the number of insect pests. This is something that Atlas Exterminator Co Inc in Columbia MD uses a lot of. Insect and parasitoid insects have long been used in biological control.
It is even possible to buy some of these insects to release them in larger numbers. On the other hand, there are limits to the effectiveness of some, especially when used outdoors (in gardens). For example, ladybugs (aphid predators) are usually sold in the adult stage. It is not guaranteed that they will settle in every garden though.
Ladybugs may just decide to go to the neighbor’s garden! Lacewings themselves, which are also aphid predators, are usually sold as eggs. This is most effective because, at hatching, larvae that have no wings should remain close to their hatching location.
