Pests. No matter what you do, they’ll always be a part of gardening – even in containers. Fortunately, controlling them is relatively easy in all but the most severe cases, especially if you practice good plant hygiene and know what makes plants susceptible to insects and other predators that feed on plants.
When using chemicals to treat garden problems, always wear hand and eye protection, use a respirator and spray on a windless day. Only use pesticides specific to the known pest and plant as directed on the package label, and only apply it to infested areas according to label instructions.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Following all package instructions, wear protective gloves when mixing insecticidal soap solution in a misting hand sprayer.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/Kyle Chesser
Spray your insecticidal soap mixture directly to the insect pests, making sure to check the tops and bottoms of all leaves, as well as the stems, for any infestation.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/Kyle Chesser
The key to pest control starts when you begin your container garden and select the plants (and to a lesser extent the soil mix and containers) you’re going to use. Some plants are more susceptible to pests, especially defenseless non-native varieties introduced into an unfamiliar region with its own set of pests and diseases. Other plants have acquired natural resistance and can thwart unwanted insects. Knowing when and why a plant is vulnerable to pests (and what type of pests they are) goes a long way toward preventing a larger problem.
With that knowledge, an ounce of prevention and proper plant hygiene is worth a pound of cure. For example, if you ever plan to reuse a soil mix, make sure it’s sterilized first so you don’t pass on pests or diseases to the next plant growing in it. Better yet, just purchase new soil. At the very least, avoid using the same potting soil for the same variety of plant, as latent pests (eggs or larvae) buried in the soil are likely to have acquired a taste for that type of plant. And always be sure to sterilize containers (whether new or used) to kill off any residue from bugs or fungi.
Prevention also mitigates the potential for bigger problems. Periodic inspections of your container garden, including turning over leaves and digging into the soil to look for burrowing bugs, allows you to catch the early stages of an infestation. So, too, will the diligent removal of dead, dying or diseased material, and handpicking pests whenever you spot them. In addition, keep your container garden clean and sweep hardscape areas near your planters – gathered debris creates the perfect breeding ground for pests!
Other preventive measures include regular garden care, such as watering your container garden properly and maintaining optimum culture and shade conditions. A strong, healthy plant is simply better able to ward off attack than one weakened by marginal care or neglect.
If a pest infestation becomes established in your container garden and begins to spread to the point in which you start to consider taking chemical control measures, remember: Always take the simple, least-harmful measures first, then escalate only if necessary. This progressive approach is known as Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. By practicing this method of control, chances are your pest problem will be history before you ever have to bring out the big chemical guns.
So first try picking insects or diseased leaves off your infested container plant. If that doesn’t eliminate the problem, try setting out sticky traps. If there’s still an infestation, try biologic agents such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or try insecticidal soaps. If those attempts result in no change, then move onto botanical pesticides such as neem oil or pyretherin. Finally, if all else fails, only then try powerful synthetic pesticides.
When choosing your weapon of pest destruction, always target the solution to the specific pest (as indicated on the product label), and apply it only to the affected area per label instructions. Note: Applying extra chemicals beyond the infected area doesn’t stop a problem from spreading – it only risks harming the plant (and, depending on what product you’re using, possibly the environment, your family or pets). If you’re unsure what insect pest is causing the problem, don’t apply any control product until a positive identification has been made. Collect one of the insects or part of the damaged plant and put it in a sealed plastic bag, then take it to your local Cooperative Extension Office for identification and a recommended cure. You can also take a picture of your problem and ask a knowledgeable garden center employee for help.
Again, no matter what product control you use, always read the label before use and carefully follow all directions to the letter. And remember: While no garden can ever truly be “pest-free,” continued observation and good decision making can help keep your container plants healthy and free of damaging infestations.
