KEEP ON TOP OF PEST PROBLEM
Gardeners plagued by sawflies, squirrels

MR. K. of West Vancouver writes: ‘‘Please could you tell
me the antidote for the small green bugs on red & white

currants...””

My best guess as to the beasty in
question is either Currant Sawfly
or aphids.

In either case, I would suggest
picking them off by hand or use a
high pressure spray from the hose.
Do this on a regular basis (say
once per week) for best results.

If things get too out of hand try
a solution of Safer’s Soap and a
small amount of Methoxychlor in
water.

In one litre of water, mix 200
mL of Safer’s Soap and 2 nL
Methoxychlor and: apply when the
pests are first spotted.

naments designed to frighten pests.
I’ve seen some beauties lately;
from large, blow-up snakes to
plastic owls with carnivorous grins.
Check your local garden centres.

Some people have had good
success stringing fishing line a few
feet over their flower and vegetable
beds from which they dangle bits
of tinfoil. As the strips turn in the
sun, the reflected light can make
these pests too nervous to hang
about.

You should keep in mind that
birds cat large quaatitics of insects.
Once your seedlings have become

THE ROOT

OF THE

GEOFF TOBIASSON

Methoxychtior is an
organochlorine, and although
closely related :o DDT and Chlor-
dane (nasty chemicals), its mam-
malian toxicity is very low and it
does not appear to concentrate in
body or milk fats.

It is not effective against aphids
but is very good on caterpillars and
worm larvae such us those of the
currant sawfly. Mixed at one third
the recommended dose with
Safer’s Soap it proves to work well
on both of the above pests and is
relatively safe.

Pm ret big on chemical solu-
tions. However, ii yor? lack the
sadistic will to squish them be-
tween your fingers, common sense
approaches such as this will
achieve good results with little risk
to you or the environment.

Ms. W. of North Vancouver
asks: “‘How does one keep birds
and squirrels from_ uprooting
young seedlings?"

Loud, heavy metal rock & roll
blaring from a strategically placed
ghetto blaster works quite well.

The problem then becomes how
to deal with the empty-headed,
zombied juvenile delinquents con-
gregating in your garden.

Perhaps we'd better stick to
scarecrows and other garden or-

well-rooted, remove those items
which were. designed to frighten
them away and build a few bird
houses to encourage them back.

If you still have problems with
squirrels or rabbits, try scattering
wood ash, bloodmeal or cayenne
pepper. Any of these will repel
most ground pests.

Ms. W. also asks: ‘‘How moist
should one keep soil when trying
to germinate seeds indoors? Some-
mes mine go mouldy, but on the

other hand I don’t want them to -

dry out.”’

This is where I use that good old
catch phrase ‘‘moist but not wet.’’
Poor as it is, it is the only way 1
can describe the proper amount of
watering necessary.

One method you can use to
ascertain the correct condition is
the relative weight of the con-
tainer. If it' feels suspiciously
heavy, it is likely to be holding a
significant amount of water and
vice versa when it feels light.

Bottom watering is the best
method of adding moisture to the
soil without running the risks of
dislodging the seeds/seedlings
and/or wetting the foliage to such
an extent as to spread disease.

This is done by setting your con-
tainers into shallow water; the

kitchen sink works well. Leaving
them for ter or more minutes will
allow them to soak up the water
they will need for at least one day.
If you get mildew on the surface
of your soil, place your containers
in a more ventilated area and light-
ly scratch the soil. This will allow
the soil surface to become dry,

8) ®) ping centre,

5- ‘Sundsy, May 14, 1989 - West Vancouver Villager

thereby eliminating the problem.
Damping off disease is different.
This can strike even properly
watered soils. You can purchase
products such as Damp-Off to
solve the problem or brew some
camomile tea. Either of these will
decrease the risk of damping off if
applied just as the seedlings

emerge.

That's all the space we have this
week. Thank you for your ques-
tions. 1 welcome all others sent to
me care of the West Vancouver
Villager, 1139 Lonsdale Ave.,
North Vancouver, B.C., V7M
2H4.

but a special place where yo can s

"the cobbled sidewalks, pop into the’:
walk on to the beach & come back for-a pleasant. meal

sot ething :

YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
°° *BOOKSTORE® +

Flom

THE Ge Boox OF

“THE
|conpuere BOOK OF

"$9, WINGS”

$9.95

| (pub. by Little Brown)

7 Perfect for
summer!

Come see our wide selection
“Specializing in Mystery”

ADELINE’S
BOOKS

1534 Marine Dr., West Van. 926-7323

WEST VANCOUVER’S
NEWEST GIFT SHOP

UNIQUE & ANTIQUE THINGS

with something for everyone

aun MARINE DR., WEST VAN

925-3038

GOOD TIME.
| GREAT TASTE.

“Have you ever thought of a
movie star living in your home?"

With my established reputa-
tion and film industry clientele,
selling your home to a star may
be easier than you think.

Why not let my Direction and
your Location Produce an
Award-winning sale!

P.S. My clients love to rent W.V.
homes.

! Homemade to Stay
or Take-Away

Come see our new look.
Expanded to 50 seats!

Open to 8 a.m.
7 days a week

281-17th Street, West Vancouver

IN
AMBLESIDE

1455 Marine Dr, West Van. 922-1012

LISA M. RUSSELL
Call me today for a
complimentary evatuaticn
Bus: 984-9711 (24 hrs.)

Sussex Group - S.R.C. Realty Corporation