Being bugged by the tiniest garden pests
But truth to tell, the recent hot, dry weather has not encouraged the plant pest problem anticipated – so far.
It’s the gardeners who have been under attack from the tiniest bugs – harvest flies. On two occasions they’ve driven us indoors.
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Hide AdWith the approach of our local flower shows, I see an even bigger problem for flower exhibitors if the hordes of pollen beetles continue. They’re a nuisance, especially when attracted to sweet pea blooms.
Some growers place a prepared vase in a dark corner of the garage overnight, hoping to encourage migration toward a window in daylight, but this is not always effective.
Sweet peas apart, pollen beetles are partial to the colour yellow. Last week I found them on courgette blooms, roses and day lilies.
Friend Jim once proved the point by wearing a bright yellow jersey on one of our walks, and recently, when a fellow hotel guest turned up for outdoor breakfast wearing a butter-coloured polo top, guess what happened!