IF you have a vege garden or chooks, pests can be a problem for you. From the smallest of insects, to rodents, to furry creatures, to birds and reptiles, these can cause you headaches at times.
It’s hard to fit them all in to this column, so to talk about the main ones we’ll leave the parasites and small insects to the myriad of sprays available on the market.
So the first thing is to know your area, spend some time asking your neighbours their thoughts on what you should look out for.
Be prepared before adding a garden or keeping hens in an enclosure.
If you’re keeping chooks, have a big enough enclosure with small wire, like chicken wire, small enough to keep the mice and small birds out. If you have mice, you will at some time have snakes too, so the added advantage of small strong wire is that it should keep the large snakes out of the chook pen. Keeping the food level down will allow for a much cleaner floor area without excess food lying around. Digging the small wire about 30cm into the ground will deter any furry friends such as foxes or mice who like to dig their way in. Having an area free of wire will only entice larger birds to steal your eggs or attack your chicks. So wire right up to the roof area. Do it properly the first time!
As your garden grows and your crop appears, beware of unwanted visitors, such as possums and bats.
Fruit trees covered in small netting will keep most out but you have to allow for some to be eaten. It can be so disappointing to have your crop demolished, sometimes overnight. It could be handy to cover your complete crop of vegetables to keep the butterflies and snails out. This is all costly stuff, but think of growing vegetables as a hobby and spend as much as money as you need, in protecting your hobby as an investment. If you do it right the first time then your costs are diminished as you have more and more success with what you grow. Make sure that the small netting (mosquito net) goes right to the ground with no spaces, as snails have an uncanny way of sneaking in on your crop, especially cabbages etc.
Should you want to grow corn, beware that white cockatoos can devour your crop in one night. If you have a grape vine there is a large green grub that just loves grape leaves, so be aware!
Some plants are great at resisting predators, some fruits are thick skinned and able to withstand an assault while others have ways of resisting unwanted creatures.
Sometimes your pets can deter birds, snakes, mice and it may be worthwhile letting them in your garden at times.
I think that sturdy, well-built plant cages, able to protect all you grow may be the best way forward for those who can afford it. However to do it on the cheap and take your chance with nature, is the way a lot of gardeners go. So take your chances. There is an old saying: “Allow some for the hungry as well.”
Remember, that to grow a crop of anything is an achievement in itself and although it may cost initially, in the long run you will be the winner, for to grow a garden gives endless enjoyment, time flies, peace ensures, you become a more reliable better person.
Till next time.
