PLANT PROTECTION 1 – Pests, Diseases and Weeds

PLANT PROTECTION 1 – Pests, Diseases and Weeds
A FEW HINTS
.Emergency.
FIRST AID.
A Quick Guide
Always seek
medical advice
if bitten
Poison
Information
Centre
13 1126
FIRST AID
Venomous qualities. Some species can pose a threat especially to the
safety of children. Many spiders are so small that their fangs will not
penetrate human skin; others have only a low toxicity which causes little
more than local swelling and irritation. However, there are a few which
cause nausea, vomiting and even death.
Have reliable up-to-date FIRST AID advice on hand. Obtain a copy of the
St John Ambulance’s Emergency FIRST AID : A Quick Guide.
IN THE HOME GARDEN
Wear gloves when gardening and handling containers, soil or rubbish and
sensible shoes when walking outside, particularly at night when most
ground-dwelling spider are active.
During excavations, landscaping, digging or gardening, be alert for
disturbed ground-dwelling spiders which may enter buildings. Clean up
piles of rocks, old tyres, etc, which may harbour redback spiders.
Do not leave toys, clothes or other such articles on the ground particularly
overnight. Wandering spiders may use them as a temporary resting site.
Be aware that ground-dwelling spiders may wander:
– After long periods of very wet weather.
– During the warmer months (January to March) when spiders are mating,
males may wander into yards and buildings in search of a female.
– After widespread application of insecticides, spiders which are not
directly contacted and killed may be disturbed and wander more than usual.
Check camping gear, sleeping bags, etc after storage.
REMEMBER.
Most spiders are beneficial but some are poisonous. Spiders play a key role
in controlling insect populations, avoid eradicating harmless species.
Spiders are food for birds and lizards, wasps feed spiders to their young.
Insecticides are registered for domestic and/or commercial use. Spot
spraying by hand can be successful after breaking up thick webs with a stick.
Identify spiders which are a problem in your area. Seek advice if necessary.
Action will depend on the situation or crop, eg garden, house, commercial
premises, pots in greenhouses, fruit trees. Seek advice for your situation.
Where some species have been a problem keep look out for webbing, etc.
Garden orbweaving spiders (various species)
build a new web each evening, tearing it down in the
morning before hiding under a branch or elsewhere.
St Andrews’ cross spider (Agriope keyserlingii)
hangs head downward usually with legs spread out
on a cross. May decorate their webs to attract prey.
Leafcurling spider (Phonognatha sp.) curls
a dead leaf with silk to form a hiding place.
Flower spider (Diaea sp.) are mostly quite small,
harmless, display a variety of forms and colors and
are common on grevillea and other flowering shrubs.
Fig. 128. Spiders commonly found in the garden (all approx x 1).
Insects and allied pests - Spiders (Arachnida, Araneida) 211