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Garden Pests

Aphids (Greenfly, Blackfly) attack young shoots and can spread viruses. Natural predators like ladybirds and lacewings can control Aphids so encourage them into your garden. If you have to use a spray there are lots available in your local garden centre. Alternatively try a well diluted mix of water and washing-up liquid in a spray gun.

Greenhouse Whitefly attack glasshouse plants like tomatoes. Cabbage Whitefly lives outside and survives on brassicas. Treat like Aphids.

Caterpillars attack fruit, vegetables as well as ornamental plants. They survive over the winter by pupating. Pick off the larvae or spray with a suitable insecticide.

Earwigs damage flowers (particularly Dahlias). Try filling flowerpots with straw and place upside down on pea canes. The earwigs will climb up inside and you can dispose of them later. Alternatively spray with a suitable insecticide.

Slugs and Snails feed on soft young growth and are most active at night causing major damage to most plants. Use slug pellets which do not harm birds and animals. Alternatively encourage birds and hedgehogs into your garden to feast on them.

Eelworms suck the cell content from plants which discolour, distort and eventually die. Burn infected plants. To help avoid attacks soak bulbs in hot water prior to planting and rotate crops.

Red Spider Mite attacks fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants. Yellowish mottling appears on the upper surface of leaves with colonies living underneath the leaves covered in fine webbing. They are difficult to control but try spraying with a suitable insecticide. Biological control can also be used.

Bulb Scale Mites attach themselves to the neck of Narcissus bulbs and amaryllis. To help avoid immerse dormant bulbs in hot water for 3-4 hours prior to planting.

Carrot Fly is a pest of carrots and parsnips. Larvae eat the roots and cause them to rot. Leaves have a reddish tinge. Use a soil insecticide to help control. Sew seeds in June to avoid the first generation larvae and cover the necks of the carrots with good layer or soil as they grow.

Vine Weevil larvae feed on the roots of plants and you don't always know it's there until the plant dies. Use a Biological control or a suitable soil insecticide.

Narcissus Fly lay eggs near the neck of bulbs, the larvae hatch out and burrow into the bulb, feeding on the inner tissue. Dig up and destroy infected bulbs. 

Garden Diseases

Powdery Mildew: Fungus lives on the surface of leaves and causes a white coating. Leaves turn yellow and drop early. Use a systemic fungicide and improve the moisture retention of the soil. Remove infected parts of the plant and destroy.

Downy Mildew: Fungus lives within the tissue of the plant causing discolouration. Leaves will distort and wilt. Improve air circulation around the plants and treat with a suitable fungicide.

Rust: Fungus attacks plants producing orange/brownish coloured areas on the leaves which may wither and fall early. Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation around the plants.

Wilt: Fungus enters via damaged roots causing wilting and withering foliage. Remove affected plants and dispose of by burning.

Black Spot is a fungal disease causing defoliation. Avoid excessive nitrogen, space plants well apart to help avoid. You can also spray with a suitable fungicide.

Narcissus Smoulder: Leaves wilt and collapse as they emerge. Destroy plants at first sign of infection.

Tulip Fire stunts and withers plants and a grey, furry mould develops. Destroy plants at first sign of infection.

Honey Fungus is a very serious disease of woody plants and trees. Foliage turns yellowish/brown and white fungi grows underneath the bark at the base of the plant. Remove and burn the plant. Do not plant other woody plants in the same area.