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, "natural" or "organic" treatments. Furthermore, laws change regularly, with some products being removed from sale, new ones being introduced or conditions of registration changing.

Material presented on this website is intended for general information and research. It is not necessarily up-to-date or appropriate for your area. Your local garden centre should be able to suggest a suitable treatment for common problems, if necessary. If in doubt, consult a relevant authority in your region to check which regulations currently apply to your situation. Carefully read the label of any products you purchase and always follow the directions.

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

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

Public Chemical Registration Information System APVMA's searchable database of registered products

NB: In the case of major brands of garden chemicals, also try checking their own websites for more information on specific products

National Chemical Information Gateway Australian Government

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

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Qld Government

Queensland Poisons Information Centre

Some common types of pests & diseases

Fruit Fly

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

Aphids as Pests of Ornamental Plants Victoria Department of Primary Industries (PDF)

Hungry Aphids Find Succulent Garden Growth AttractiveUniversity of California Cooperative Extension

Aphid Populations May Build Up Quickly and Decline Quickly University of California Cooperative Extension

Scale

Scale insects and mealybugs on ornamentals Victoria Department of Primary Industries

Scale insects Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney

Managing Scale Insects Introductory article. Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County

Identifying and Controlling Scale Insects University of Illinois Extension University of Illinois Extension

Scale Insects and Mealybugs on Ornamental Plants University of Florida

Mealybugs

Mealybugs - fact sheet Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney

Scale insects and mealybugs on ornamentals Victoria Department of Primary Industries

Mealybugs Ohio State University

Scale Insects and Mealybugs on Ornamental Plants University of Florida

Mites

Mites University of Florida

Mites on Ornamental Plants University of Florida

Two-spotted mite Queensland DEEDI

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

Two-spotted Mite Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney

Biology and Pest Management of Spider Mites Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries & Resources, Northern Territory Government (PDF)

twospotted spider mite University of Florida

Spider Mites Washington State University Clark County Extension

Spider Mites University of California

Spider Mites Like Hot Weather University of California Cooperative Extension.

Broad mite in fruit and ornamental plants (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland

Broad mite South Australia

Broad Mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus University of Florida

Eriophyid Mites Affecting Ornamental Plants Department of Primary Industries, Victoria (PDF)

Thrips

Horticultural pest: thrips NSW Department of Primary Industries

Which thrips is that? NSW Department of Primary Industries

Introduction to Thrips University of Florida

Recognizing and Controlling Thrips Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County

Nematodes

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

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

Nematodes: Alternative Controls National Center for Appropriate Technology (USA)

Plan Ahead For Effective Garden Nematode ControlUniversity of California Cooperative Extension

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

Control ‘Root-Knot Nematodes’ in the Garden University of Florida

Root Knot Nematodes Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County

Other Soil Problems

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

Root Rot Diseases of Ornamentals University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service

Damping-off Diseases in the Garden University of California

Phytophthora root rot Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney

Powdery Mildew

Powdery Mildew Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney

Watch for Powdery Mildew Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County

Powdery Mildew on Ornamentals University of California

Powdery Mildew on Vegetables University of California

Weeds

Weeds section of the Qld Dept of Primary Industries website dealing with weeds, including information on declared weeds

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

Other

Common insect pests of native plants in home gardens Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Common House Plant Disorders University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service

Whitefly Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Introduction to whiteflies University of Florida

What is a Virus? Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County

Anthracnose University of California

Sooty Mold University of California

Cutworm Qld DPI

Grasshopper Management National Center for Appropriate Technology (USA)

Boring insects Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney

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

Management and treatments

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

Managing a garden the natural way Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Natural alternatives to synthetic chemicals Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Cultural methods

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

Disinfection of Horticultural Tools University of Florida

Non-Chemical Control Strategies for Pests and Diseases University of Maryland

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

To net or not to net Download a PDF report on netting against birds, bats and insects from this page. Qld DPI

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

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

Induced Resistance: Revving up Plant Defenses Cornell University

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

ladybirds University of Florida

Companion planting, Trap crops, 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

Protecting Crops from Nematode Pests: Using Marigold as an Alternative to Chemical Nematicides University of Hawaii (PDF)

Marigolds and Nematode Management Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) for Nematode Management

Marigolds Iowa State University

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

Plants Inhibit Growth of Other Plants University of Illinois Extension

Some treatments

Remember, read the label carefully and always follow the directions. The following links are intended as background information only, as legally permissable formulations, application rates, withholding periods and so forth may vary from one jurisdiction to another.

Insecticides Some general information concerning the types of insecticides from University of Sydney

Material fact sheets - bicarbonate (potassium and sodium) Cornell University

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

Horticultural Oil Sprays Introductory article. Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County

Material fact sheets - oils Cornell University

Clean up pests with soap University of Florida

Material fact sheets - pesticidal soap Cornell University

Material fact sheets - pyrethrum Cornell University

Spinosad: An Insecticide to Make Organic Gardeners Smile Texas Cooperative Extension

Spinosad: The First Selective, Broad-Spectrum Insecticide The Connecticut Cooperative Extension System

Material fact sheets - spinosad Cornell University

Spinosad University of California