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Pest Patrol
Garden Tips Newsletter - August 13, 2001

Now is a good time to inspect your plants for pests. Extremely hot temperatures and little rainfall can weaken a plant's defenses and make them more susceptible to pests. Pests that become prevalent in August include aphids, scale, spider mites, lacebug, leaf miner, spittlebug, and leaf hopper. Thrips can become a serious problem on roses. Most of these pests can be controlled by spraying plants with Orthene or Cygon (Cygon should not be used on hollies). Be sure to follow the directions on the label. Other controls for pests include insecticidal soap and horticultural oil.

These archived newsletters were written by Dr. Lelia Scott Kelly. Kelly is a Horticulture Specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Her office is in the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Verona.