Dealing With Greenhouse Pests

General Principles for dealing with pests

• Companion Planting – plants like marigolds can attract natural predators like hoverflies
• Keep Greenhouse space clean and tidy so slugs and snails don’t have anywhere to hide.
• Check regularly for damage before too late. Use magnifying glass and check underside of leaves.
• Keep plants strong and vigorous so they are more resistant.

Dealing with Specific Pests
Red Spider Mite

Red spider mite are tiny insects almost invisible to the naked eye. They cause yellowing  and mottling of leaves.

Prevention – avoid periods of drying out and overwatering. They thrive in dry atmosphere, so spray the underside of leaves and dampen down the greenhouse. Also, you can introduce biological control

Whitefly

Whitefly can soon take over a greenhouse. They suck sap and makes the leaves turn yellow. If you tap leaves, you will notice a white powder fall off. Can be dealt with through biological spray or proprietary pest control.

Vine Weavil.

Once an adult lays eggs, they can cause real damage to plant roots causing whole plants to drop at stem and die.

Check overwintered compost. Look out for adults who might be laying eggs. Can be dealt with by parasitic nematodes, but, the worst of the damage may have occurred.

Slugs and Snails.

Keep greenhouse floor clear of any debris that may give them hiding places.  Also keep the floor dry except where watering. For slugs you can use a whole variety of methods depending on your preference.

• Slug Pellets
• Beer Traps
• Parasitic Nemotodes.
• Go Hunting in Evening with a pair of scissors

Related

• Dealing With Slugs and Snails
• Pest Control at Amazon