As a horticulture and landscaping expert , I understand the thwarting of seeing your dear geranium plants being attacked by pests . Insects can be a common job for geranium , but with proper identification and control measures , you’re able to see the health and beauty of your plants .
One of the most prevalent insects that attack geraniums are aphids . These tiny , Pyrus communis - shaped dirt ball can be found in various colours such as light-green , black , or brown . They typically cluster on the undersides of leave and suck the blackjack from the plant , induce stunted ontogeny and distorted foliage . To control aphids , you may use insecticidal soap or neem petroleum . These natural remedies effectively suffocate and repel aphids without harm good insects .
Cabbage looper , also known as cabbage worm , are another common pesterer that can target geraniums . These green caterpillars can cursorily devour the folio of your flora , leaving them skeletonized . Handpicking the caterpillars off the works is one efficient method of control . Alternatively , you may use Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) , a natural bacteria that specifically targets caterpillars without harm other insects or plants .
Fall cankerworms are specially active during the autumn time of year and can defoliate geraniums if left uncurbed . These inchworms are ordinarily gullible or dark-brown and can be easily identified by their looping movement . give a pasty band around the trunk of the plant can forestall grownup cankerworm from climbing up and repose testicle on the foliation . Additionally , you could use insect powder containing spinosad or carbaryl to control the larva .
The four - lined plant life bug is another pestilence that can make legal injury to geranium . These hemipterous insect have typical black lines on their wings and provender on the leaves , make small , irregular hole . To manipulate these pestis , you could prune off to a great extent infested areas and enforce insecticidal easy lay or pyrethrin - based insecticides . Regularly inspecting your plants for sign of plague can help catch and control the trouble early on .
musical scale insects are little , firm pestilence that can overrun geraniums and suck the saphead from the leaves and staunch . They come along as tiny , oval - form prominence and can be hard to note at first . To control scale , you could practice horticultural crude oil or insecticidal soap to smother and kill the insects . Additionally , scratch alcoholic beverage can be applied directly to the scale to withdraw them from the plant life .
Slugs can also be a nuisance for geraniums , especially in damp and shadowy areas . These slimy wight feed on the leafage , leaving behind large holes and slime trails . To control slugs , you could create barriers around your plant using materials such as crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth . Beer bunker can also be effectual in luring and drowning slug .
It is important to properly name the insect pest attacking your geranium to follow up the most effective control quantity . Aphids , cabbage loopers , fall cankerworm , four - draw industrial plant glitch , scale , and slugs are some of the unwashed perpetrator . By using appropriate insecticides or natural remedies and on a regular basis monitor your plants , you’re able to successfully protect your geraniums from these pests and delight their vibrant flush throughout the season .
Caroline Bates
