Pests

We recommend organic control!

There is little to no risk of toxic buildups of chemicals and salts that can be deadly to plants. Organic fertilizers are moreover renewable, biodegradable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. This makes it safer for consumption as well!

PESTS & DISEASES

Growing your own herbs has major upsides. However, if these pests and diseases attack your beautiful plants, don't worry we got you covered!

INSECT PESTS

Spider Mites

Description: Tiny, red, brown, yellow or green *arachnid. Usually seen are webs on the plant especially under the leaves.

Damage: Usually attacks new leaves and buds. Leaves turn yellow and appear to be bronzed or burned. Leaves drop and in severe cases may lead to the death of the plant.

Chemical Control: Apply Rotenone, Abamection or Dimethoate

Organic Control: Neem oil spray

Spray on alternate nights until all signs of the pest are gone.

Spraying at night allow for more efficient and greater absorption.

*Arachnid: Joint-legged invertebrate animals (athropods) with 8 legs.

Image sourced from https://blog.seedsman.com/best-tips-avoid-insects-grow/

Leaf Miners

Description: Leaf miners are basically the larvae of some moths, beetles and flies. They are insects that bore through layers of the leaf tissue.

Damage: Prominent irregular lines seen on the leaves due to the feeding of tissue inside the leaves.

Chemical Control: Cypermethrin

Organic Control: Neem Oil

Spray once every 3 days at night until all the signs of the pest are gone.

Spraying at night allow for more efficient and greater absorption.

Image sourced from https://organicgardeningnewsandinfo.wordpress.com/

Thrips

Description: Thrips are very small and hard to see. Light brown, slender insect about 1.2mm in size.

Damage: Sucks plant juices from the leaves, leaving it distorted with noticeable scars.

Chemical Control: Spray Malathion and Pyrethum every 2-3 nights until all the signs of the pest are gone.

Organic Control: Neem oil spray

Spraying at night allow for more efficient and greater absorption.

Image sourced from https://ask.extension.org/

Weevil

Description: Hard-shelled, beetle-like chewing herbivores. Size ranging from 3mm to 5mm. Adult and larvae crawl under the soil and inside the plant. Most species eat plant parts from the inside out.

Damage: Plants often turn yellow and wilt. Usually, the base of the stems become loose on the ground and cause the plant to collapse. Most cases, plants will show some notching on the leaf margins.

Chemical Control: Soil application or spray with systemic insecticide such as Chlorppyrifos and Dimethoate at night once every 14 days.

Spraying at night allow for more efficient and greater absorption.

Organic Control: Remove mulch and other hiding places from around plants and water only when necessary (larvae and adults prefer moist soil).

Spraying at night allow for more efficient and greater absorption.

Image sourced from https://www.susansinthegarden.com/

Aphids

Description: Orange to black coloured insect about 3mm in size. Usually found on the leaves and stem of the plants.

Damage: Aphids suck plant juices and can cause leaves to curl, turn yellow and eventually drop. Ants help spread aphids because they feed on the juice secreted by aphids.

Chemical Control: Spray Pryethum on alternate nights until all signs of the insects are gone.

Organic Control: Spray Neem Oil, a mixture of equal parts of thyme, peppermint, clove, and rosemary oils, 4-5 drops each in a spray bottle and spray.

Spraying at night allow for more efficient and greater absorption.

Image sourced from http://www.howtogarden.ie

Mealybug

Description: Mealybugs look like white lofts of cotton usually found under the leaves or stems of the plant. The white waxy coating protects the insect from sprays, making control difficult.

Damage: The honeydew secreted by the mealybugs develop into a fungal disease called sooty mold. This honeydew also attracts ants. Affected plants will develop yellowing leaves and stunted growth.

Organic Control: Spray plants with White Oil or Neem Oil products alternate nights until all signs of the pest are gone.

Spraying at night allow for more efficient absorption.

Image sourced from https://www.joyusgarden.com/

Caterpillars

Description: Larval stage of moths and butterflies. Chewing herbivores that eat plant parts, mostly leaves and fruits and sometimes roots. Size and colour varies with the species of moth or butterfly.

Damage: Holes or irregular areas on the leaves or fruits.

Recommended Control: Spray Cypermethrin at night once every 3 days until all the signs of the pest are gone.

Organic Control: Neem oil

Bacteria spray containing Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki or pepper spray directly on the caterpillar.

Image sourced from https://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/

Scale insects

Description: Circular to oval shaped, brown to white-coloured shelled insect about 3mm in length. Usually found on stems and under the leaves.

Damage: Scales suck plant juices and stunt the growth of the plant. It also secretes honeydew that attracts ants and other pests.

Recommended Control: Spray Cypermethrin on alternate nights until all signs of the insect are gone.

Organic Control: Spray White Oil on alternate nights

Spraying at night allow for more efficient absorption.