Insect Control for Shrubs: Quick Tips

Insects can drain nutrients or eat away your shrubs. They damage plant tissues by laying eggs. As a result, the stem and branches of shrubs die in no time. So, you should apply insecticide to ensure insect control for shrubs.

 

Insect Control for Shrubs

An easy way to kill harmful insects is to apply insecticide. But for that, you should know the types of insects invading your shrubs. You can choose a suitable insecticide with the help of this information. Also, it will help you determine the rate and method of application to achieve the desired results.

 

Types of Insecticides

You can classify insecticides into three types:

  • Stomach Poisons
  • Contact residuals
  • Fumigants

Fumigants aren’t suitable for regular landscaping situations. It’s because they are toxic in nature. So, they can risk the lives of kids and pets playing in the yard.

Stomach poisons target chewing insects. But they aren’t suitable for piercing-sucking pests. It’s because these insects feed below the plant surface. So, they can avoid contact with this type of product.

Contact-residual chemicals can kill a wide range of pests. This includes aphids, mites, leafhoppers, and many more pests.

Most chemical insecticides remain effective for 1 to 4 weeks. But systemic insecticides can provide 6 or more weeks of protection. So, choose a product that suits your needs.

 

Apply the Insecticide

The first step is to determine the type of insects. Sometimes, you may not notice the insects at a glance. So, pay close attention to shrub health. Leaf and stem changes can offer valuable insights. Also, read about insects and fungi that are likely to target your specific kind of shrubs.

Once this is determined, choose a suitable insecticide. Contact residual insecticides work well for immediate control. But a systemic insecticide is useful when it comes to long-term insect control for shrubs. Make sure you don’t apply systemic insecticides on edible plants.

Be careful when using insecticide products. Pay close attention to manufacturer directions. Also, you can prepare natural solutions to kill insects. These eco-friendly products don’t harm the environment.

Need further information about pest control? Or want to share your tips? Feel free to share your views in the comments section!