Pest and Diseases

Horticultural pest and diseases

Gumtree scale ladybird feeding on scale (Supplied by Denis Crawford of Graphic Science)
Environment & SustainabilityPest and Diseases

Ants abound, but is that bad?

By Denis Crawford

Many ants are beneficial, but some ant species can be pests in some situations. When is that?

This Pest Files is inspired by some recent encounters I had with ants. In late January 2023 I noticed several species of ants climbing the trunk of a young roadside gumtree (Eucalyptus obliqua).… Continue reading

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Persimilis mites (orange) breed faster than two-spotted mites
Environment & SustainabilityPest and Diseases

Good bugs are no quick fix

By Denis Crawford

Biological control may not be an instant pest solution, but it is a pest control option well worth pursuing.

Large parts of eastern Australia have just been through a very wet spring and early summer. That period of warm wet weather meant a boom time for mosquitoes, they were everywhere in huge numbers.… Continue reading

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