August and September is a time when many growers let things slide a bit. Gardeners put their gardens on autopilot to some extent, and commercial growers are either gearing up for the fall season or have closed their doors until next year. Vacation and summer activities take up residence in the mind, before time runs out. But there is still some work to be done, if you want fewer pests problems next year.
As we’ve always stressed, learn about the pests you’re after. Know their life-cycle. Armed with this knowledge, you might find that a large window of opportunity is open at this time of year allowing you to take down certain pests now for benefits to be gained next year. Do some digging to discover what you have now, or had this season, then learn when to knock them down. You’ll find many pests are gearing up for next year, so you may as well follow their lead.
Beetle and caterpillar pests are two great candidates. Many of the ones we’re concerned about lay eggs now. In the case of beetles, many hatch now (i.e. Japanese beetles) into small larvae or grubs. These are more susceptible to predation and parasitism now while their young. Using Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Hb) nematodes now can seriously impact next year’s beetle numbers by attacking this year’s larvae now. As it concerns caterpillars, many don’t hatch from eggs laid now until spring. That means that right now is a good time to use Trichogramma spp. moth egg parasitoids — while the eggs are present. Reacting to next year’s caterpillar infestation will do little good to help with next year’s problem in many cases.
These are but a couple of examples. If you’ve done your homework and really know and understand the pests that bum you out, you can turn around and bum them out right back. Take them down when they’re most vulnerable, and you can enjoy some relief next year when your plants are most vulnerable.
