We tend to look at moles, grubs,
deer, fungal diseases and other pests from the standpoint of their impact on us
and our plants. It is as if their only goal in life is to ruin our garden and
they seem to do this on purpose. What do they have against us?
From their perspective, they could
not care less about us. Their goals are rather simple. They want food, water,
protection from predators and a place to reproduce their own kind. If these
requirements are met, they do not care whether it is in the woods or in your
backyard. It makes no difference to them.
So, as the supposedly “superior”
being in the mix, perhaps instead of getting upset, we can use our energy to
find ways to outsmart these creatures. Maybe we can figure a way to deny them
one or more of their requirements. In most cases, that is enough to remove the
problem. Unfortunately, this requires some decisions on our part that are not
always easy.
All living creatures need food.
Many of the organisms that we call pests have very specific dietary needs. The
fungus that causes apple scab will feed on apple, mountain ash and firethorn
but would never eat on a maple or oak leaf. Elm leaf beetles eat...you guessed
it, elm leaves. They would never be attracted to a carrot top. Deer devour
tulip buds but avoid poisonous daffodils.
Fungi, raccoons, weeds, aphids, and
beetles all need moisture. If their needs are met easily, they will multiply
quickly. If they get dry, they must either move on or die.
If we use insecticides too
liberally, we run the risk of killing predator insects such as lady bugs,
preying mantis and certain wasps. When they are gone, aphids can go wild
because they do not have to worry about getting eaten themselves. Even deer
avoid enclosed areas or jumping over fences where they cannot see the other
side because they still have at least a modicum of fear for their only real
predator, humans.
Although they may not need candle
light and soft mood music, even most insects have to have certain conditions
exist before they will reproduce. Slugs need cool, moist surroundings in which
to produce their young. Apple scab needs a nice, moist leaf upon which to
produce its spores.
So, what are some of the options
that we as gardeners can use to minimize the pest populations in our yards?
First, reduce the food supply. Even deer do not eat everything. If you have a
serious problem, you may be forced to change your gardening habits and
concentrate on those plants that do not attract the pest. In the case of
diseases, we call this resistance. Use plants that have been found to be
resistant to diseases and you don’t have the problem.
For many of our common pests, the
key may be to reduce the amount of moisture in our gardens. Sure, you have to
keep it moist enough for the plants to thrive but many of us overdo a good
thing. By better managing the water in our garden, we can affect both insect
and disease problems.
Perhaps the best thing we can do is
simply grow healthy plants. A healthy plant will not attract as many insects or
diseases and, when they do become affected, they tend to bounce back better.
