Hi guys,

How do you people deal with pests in your aqua growbeds (or organic gardens). My system has two major issues, lack of sunlight, and (I think partly because of that) a large number of caterpillers and mites etc that have tucked into all my leafy greens and some of the herbs.

What is the best method for getting rid of them (besides covering the whole lot with netting?

Cheers,

Simmo

"oh shouldn't you just use that pesticide they used to use in New Zealand in the 1930's. You know the one that bursts into flames?"

But seriously folks...

are you able to encourage more birds to the area?

I've come up against the lack of sunlight also, great growth splurge initially and now a general slowdown, fortunately mine is only a small experimental system and in the process of accumulating frame work for a green/shade/hot house - hopefully this will minimise the pest problem also.

A discussion was carried out at our Brissie meeting on pests - pests such as possums, crows, parrots, rats - for this full cover is good, small insects are another thing tho, unfortunately that is not the answer you were after.

Talk to Steve about that - better get Alex on bushfire alert as well

Haha Jaymie, I saw that on Mythbusters not long ago...

Thanks Ell, this system probably won't stay here for long. I'm getting some new tanks from BF and have a spot out next to my shed that will get around 8-10hours of direct sunlight per day. All of the black tubs will be my growbeds initially and I will knock up a small structure of light shade cloth to cover it which will help to keep the insects out.

I get heaps of birds in my backyard, theres a resident mudlark who has just brought her young chick down in the last couple of days. Plus two or three Willy Wagtails and other nectar feeding birds who feed on my natives. I think the problem is that it is too close to the house and the dog scares them off.

Simmo - if you have ability to breed your fish, the fry will prey on the micro organisms in your grow beds. I keep fry in a dug out channel right down the middle of the grow bed and it seems to be working. no more holes in leaves and looking good.

care to show photo of the fry in middle of grow bed, thanks

I like that fry idea, but how does it work with flood and drain. photo please.

flames? pestiside? gimme gimme gimmme, doe it kill by fire or is that a side effect

I would really like to know of a method that actually works. I am starting to have a problem with grubs attacking my tomatoes.
VB spoke of some sort of spray at our Brisbane meet....what was that, anybody know.
Muzza

What about White oil? you can spray it on your plants directly, or a reeeely big fly swatter!
Alx

just a thought how would a bugcatcher go put it over the tanks and kill 2 birds with one stone

has been mentioned before.

I reckon have a floating type light in the tank, or one just above the water surface.

The ZAP of the bug zapper tends to disintergrate the bugs not much left for fishies

you can buy solar powered floating lights for the pool




.