The Queensland Gardening Pages

Information & resources about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Pests and diseases

This page is intended to provide information about general approaches to pest and disease control (emphasising organic or low-toxic techniques) plus some information about some types of common pests and diseases of garden plants in Queensland.

For information on particular plants, go to the part of the site dealing with that plant or group. See: List of Plants

CAUTIONARY NOTES:

A great deal of legislation exisists around the subject of pests and diseases and their control. This can include homemade remedies, "natural" or "organic" practices.

Furthermore, laws change regularly in response to new threats, as some products are removed from sale and as others are introduced. Material presented on this website is intended for general information and research. It is not necessarily up-to-date or appropriate for your area. Likewise, information in other websites linked to from this one.

Your local garden centre or produce agent should be able to suggest a treatment appropriate to your situation. Carefully read the label of any products you purchase and always follow directions. If in doubt, consult the relevant authority in your region to check which regulations currently apply to your situation.

Suppliers of garden pest or disease control products & equipment to Qld

Most garden centres will carry a range of pest control products for common garden problems in your area. Specialist nurseries might carry products suitable for the types of plants they carry. Check the appopriate page for a specialist nursery (List of Plants).

If you require a contractor to treat pest or disease problems in the garden, try Gardeners / Maintenance Services, Lawnmowing Services, Turf Specialists or Arborists

News

The dingo may be forestry's best friend
Researchers at Curtin University of Technology and Chemistry Centre WA may have found a new way to help protect reforestation areas from kangarros, wallabies and possums - fresh dingo urine. Presumably warning the animals that a predator is nearby (aged urine had no effect), the active chemicals could be used to develop wildlife-friendly deterrents and alternatives to the controversial 1080 poison used by the logging industry in Tasmania. Unfortunately for gardeners, trials suggested that the Brushtail Possum may be less susceptible than the other marsupials studied. More information Curtin University of Technology here: Dingo urine offers humane solution to kangaroo cull (June 2008)

Blow-up man at work in Sydney's Botanic Gardens
An air-powered windsock is being used in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens to deter flying foxes from roosting in vulnerable trees. The "inflatable man" is a temporary measure until the animals can be relocated. While there is no intention to stop the animals feeding, roosting has proven to be a big problem. Some of the trees that have already been damaged are the among the oldest and most significant in the Gardens. More from Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, available here. (July 2008)

Canada gets greener
With residential use already banned in many Canadian municipalities, retail chain The Home Depot® has decided to phase out "traditional" pesticides in all its Canadian stores. This includes fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and slug baits. More environmentally friendly alternatives will compliment the range of other "green" products and programs offerrd by the company. Media release here: Home Depot Canada Voluntarily Phases Out Pesticides Across Canada and Provides Consumers Over 50 Options in Natural Lawn Care (April 2008)

More Links

You might find additional information on particular plants on the page dealing with that plant or group. For a menu, go to Plants

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Qld Government

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (previously National Registration Authority)

NB: most major manufacturers of garden chemicals will have websites, so also try checking those for more information on specific products

Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry including Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

Queensland Poisons Information Centre

Organic vegetable production - managing pests and diseases NSW Department of Primary Industries

Managing a garden the natural way Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Using Cultural Pest Control Methods Backyard Gardener column, August 4, 2004. Arizona Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona

Cultural Control of Plant Disease Overview of general approach. University of Florida

Farm hygiene for vegetable crops Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland

Preventing Plant Diseases - Don't Forget Sanitation! Missouri Environment and Garden, University of Missouri

Bug Vacuums for Organic Crop Protection Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA

Avoid horticultural heartache by choosing disease-resistant varieties Oregon State University

Online Information Service for Non-Chemical Pest Management in the Tropics (OISAT) Pesticide Action Network Germany

Natural alternatives to synthetic chemicals Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Compost Tea: Examining the science behind the claims Washington State University (PDF)

The Myth of Compost Tea, Episode III Can "aerated compost teas" suppress plant disease? Washington State University (PDF)

Notes on Compost Teas Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA

The Myth of Curative Kelp Can seaweed extracts reduce disease and improve stress resistance of landscape plants? Washington State University (PDF)

An ancient solution to modern pest problems Montgomery County, Maryland

Key Information About Insecticidal Oils And Soaps in: NFREC News, Aug 18, 2008. University of Florida (PDF)

Clean up pests with soap University of Florida

Beneficial Organisms

Pest Control: Growing Plants to Attract Beneficial Insects Colorado State University

Beneﬁcial organisms in the home garden Department of Agriculture Western Australia

White collared ladybird predator in vegetable crops Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland

Companion Planting and Allelopathy

The Myth of Companion Plantings Washington State University (PDF)

2006 Companion Plant Trials Yard and Garden News, University of Minnesota

Companion Planting: Basic Concept and Resources Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA

Allelopathy

Allelopathy: How Plants Suppress Other Plants University of Florida

Fighting weeds naturally Scientists researching the use of allelopathic compounds to combat weeds

The importance of allelopathy in breeding new cultivars in: Weed Management for Developing Countries, Food and Agriculture Oganisation of the United Nations

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (River Red Gum) Water for a healthy country

Weeds Australia National Weeds Strategy

Brisbane City Council weeds information

Weed control for successful plant establishment NRM Facts, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland (PDF)

Weed control options in landscape beds and groundcovers University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA (PDF)

Weed Control - Using Weed Fabric or Newspaper Walter Reeves. Georgia

How long do weed seeds survive in the soil? Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Harness the power of the summer sun to kill weeds, plant diseases and pests Oregon State University

Weed and Feed Products - Not Recommended Walter Reeves. Georgia

Some Pest Types

Queensland fruit fly in rare fruit Qld Dept of Primary Industries

Nets prove effective in fruit fly control Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Qld

Fruit fly and the home gardener NSW Department of Primary Industries

Queensland fruit fly NSW Department of Primary Industries

Aphids as Pests of Ornamental Plants Victoria Department of Primary Industries

Scale insects and mealybugs on ornamentals Victoria Department of Primary Industries

Mealybugs - fact sheetBotanic Gardens Trust, Sydney Mealybugs Ohio State University

Two-spotted mite on ornamental plants Victoria Department of Primary Industries

Spider Mites Washington State University Clark County Extension

Horticultural pest: thrips NSW Department of Primary Industries

Which thrips is that? NSW Department of Primary Industries

Soil-borne Diseases in the Home Garden Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Sustainable Management of Soil-borne Plant Diseases Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, USA

Nematodes in the home garden Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland

Alternatives to nematicides in fruit and vegetable crops Dept Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland

Root knot disease and its control NSW Department of Primary Industries

Marigolds and Nematode Management Backyard Gardener column, June 16, 2004. Arizona Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona

Managing bird damage to fruit and other horticultural crops NSW Department of Primary Industries

You might find more information regarding specific plants by checking the page dealing with that group. List of Plants

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