Animals
Livestock ticks: identification, prevention and responsible control
Tick management starts with the animal, the tick and the conditions that allow infestation. Combine regular inspection, appropriate animal management and veterinary guida…
Living Earth topic
pest control
Keeping pests in check without poisons.
Insects
Inspect new cactus pads before adding them to a planting
Inspecting a few new pads is easier than dealing with a pest throughout an established cactus planting. Keep incoming material apart while you check its identity, health…
Fruit Trees
Grape problems: make a useful photo and field record
A clear record can turn “what is wrong with my grapes?” into a question someone can help answer. Fruit appearance alone is often insufficient. Include the vine, leaves, i…
Fruit Trees
White growth on mango flowers: check before spraying
Powdery growth on mango flowers or young tissue deserves prompt investigation because flowering is a valuable stage. Photograph the symptoms and confirm the cause before…
Garden
A removable bed cover that protects crops and stays usable
A small covered bed can protect young vegetables while keeping daily work manageable. The frame, edges and access matter as much as the material. Decide whether the main…
Garden
Biofumigation: test a targeted treatment in a small bed
Biofumigation uses particular plant materials and management to influence soil-borne pests or diseases. It is not a universal cure for tired soil. Begin with the problem…
Chicken
Termites as poultry feed: local observation and a cautious trial
Chickens readily investigate many insects, including termites. That observation does not make termite collection a complete feeding system. Consider species, contaminatio…
Garden
When seedlings collapse: recognise possible damping off
Seedlings that rot or collapse around the soil line may be affected by damping off, a group of diseases rather than one single organism. Similar symptoms can follow heat,…
Garden
Wall spiders: observe these hunting neighbours
Flat, fast-moving spiders on walls can be surprising visitors. Learning to recognise common hunting spiders can reduce unnecessary spraying and make the home garden a bet…
Infrastructure
Red insect netting: separate a promising study from a local result
Red netting has attracted attention as a way to reduce insect entry. The promising question is specific: can a particular net keep a particular pest away while preserving…
No Guides of this kind here yet.