Deer, James A.

Gunter, Allen C.

English

Texas A&M University

L-132
CONTROL OF INSECTS AND ALLIED PESTS IN THE FLOWER GARDEN
by
James A. Deer. Assistant Extension Entomolo,ist
and
Allen C. Gunter. Associate Extension Entomolo,ist
TEXAS A. AND M. COLLEGE SYSTEM
BAQIOIcMS
Bagwonns live in tough cocoon-like cases.
principally on arbor vitae and cedars. They
appear in late spring and feed on the foliage,
becoming full grown about August.
Control: Spray with six pounds of lead
arsenate per 100 gallons of water or three
tablespoonfuls in one gallon of water during
early May. On small shrubs removing the bags
by hand is suggested.
ANTS
There are numerous ants which attack
flowers and ornamental shrubs, lome of which
cause extensive damage.
Control: Looate the nests and dust the
hills and immediate vicinity thoroughly with
a 10 percent chlordane dust.
APHIDS AND PLANT LICE
Aphids are small soft-bodied sucking in-
sects, dark brown, yellow or green in color,
usually found in the un~erside of leave ••
Control: Spray with one and one-half
teaspoons nicotine to one gallon soapy water
or dust with eight teaspoonl nicotine luI-
p~ate to one pound hydrated lime.
SCALE AND MEALY BUGS
Mealy bugs are small, soft-bodied in-
sects which appear to have been sprinkled
with corn meal. Scale insects are covered
with a shell-like covering which adheres to
the plant.
Control: Spray the plants thoroughly
with a mixture of three tablespoons white oil
emulsion and one and one-fourth teaspoons
nicotine sulphate per gallon of water. HETP
(used according to manufacturers' directions)
with two pounds 50 percent wettable DDT and
an organic spreader (Santomerse S) in 100 gal-
lons of water gives satisfactory control.
WHITE FLIES
The adultsaretinywhitemoth-like flies.
The young are found on the underside of t'eaves
and resemble scales.
Control: When the adults are swarming,
they may be contr~lled by dusting thoroughly
with five percent DDT powder. The young can
be controlled by spraying the underside of
the leaves with three tablespoons of white
oil emulsion per gallon of water.
LEAF-EATING CATERPILLARS
There are a number of caterpillars which
feed on flowers and shrubs. They may be
smooth-skinned or covered with hair.
Control: Dust regularly with fiv,e per-
cent DDT or five percent chlordane dust.
curYXJRMS
Cutworms are seldo~ seen during the day
but come out at night and cut young plants
off at the surface of the ground.
Control: Dust the surface of the ground
about the base of the plants thorough!y with
five percent chlordane or five percent DDT
dust.
THRIPS
Thrips are slender insects less than
one-tenth inch long. They are yellowish to
eiark in color and are (ound more commonly in
buds and blossoms.
Control: Keep all old blossoms removed
from plants and dust thoroughly with a five
percent DDT dust.
RED SPIDER AND OTHER MITES
These pests are tiny, spider-like mites,
redrlish or yellowish in color which are com-
monly founei on the uneierside 0 f 1eaves. Thei r
presence is indicateei by fine webbing on
leaves and stems.
Control: Best control is obtained with
eiusting sulphur applied twice at seven-day
intervals. There are some commercial miti-
cides which are effective when used according
to manufacturers' directions.
PILL BUGS OR SOW BUGS
These are flattened slate-gray creatures
which roll themselves into balls when dis-
turbed. They sometimes feed on the roots and
tender stems near the ground level.
Control: Dust with five percent DDT
dust or apply one of the commercial prepara-
tions according t~· the directions of the manu·
F'acturer.
SLUGS AND SNAILS
Slugs are elongated slimy creatures re-
lated to snails but without the hard shell.
Presence of either pest is evidenced by a
silvery trail on sterns or foliage.
Control: Use one of the commercial pro-
ducts prepared especially for snail and slug
control.
LEAF BEETI..ES OR FLEA BEET'....ES
Leaf beetles and flea beetles are hard-
shelled beetles and \~ile leaf beetles devour
large portions of the leaves, flea beetles
merely eat shot-holes in the leaves.
Control: Vust plants thoroughly with
five percent DDT or five percent chlordane
dust at two-week intervals.
Issued by
The Agricultural Extension Service
The Texas A. & M. College System and
The United States Department of Agriculture
G. G. Gibson, Director, College Station, Texas.
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home E~onomics. The Texas A. and M. College System and the
United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress
of May 8 and June 30. 1914.


Control of Insects and Allied Pests in the Flower Garden.

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Control of Insects and Allied Pests in the Flower Garden.

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