Post category: Pests

 

Pests 

 

A group of caterpillars on beech

 

Rabbits and hares cause very serious damage in rural areas. Fencing is the complete answer. Wrapping the stems of young trees with heavy polythene is effective too.

Greenflies feed off many trees and shrubs, especially honeysuckle, viburnum, privet, beech, lime, flowering cherry. Control is usually not necessary.

Caterpillars of many kinds eat the leaves of trees and shrubs, usually leaving holes. Damage is slight and control not necessary.

Leaf miners attack many trees, notably holly, leaving twisting tracks and blisters on the leaves. Though unsightly, control is not necessary.

Red spider mite attacks many trees and shrubs. Control is not necessary, except on dwarf spruces, which could lose all their leaves. Spray in April or May.

More detail on these in the section on Gardening techniques: Pests