Insects and Pests

This summer our garden had an infestation of Passionvine Hoppers, otherwise known as “Fluffy Bums”. There have been large amounts of them on most plants and trees throughout the garden, and spraying has not eradicated them. With the colder weather, there are now fewer of them. What is the best spray to use and is there one to destroy the eggs during winter?

I have a lot of lavender plants and I like to use the flowers to make creams, balms, soap, bath salts, lavender wands, lavender sachets etc, but I get some spittle bugs on some flowers. What is the best way to get rid of the spittle bugs without contaminating the flower please? 

I have a problem with my lime bush. It has a black film over some of its leaves and what appears to be tiny whiteflies. It’s a large bush but produces very few limes. How can I improve the health of this bush?

I had a severe bout of thrips on my viburnum over summer and seem to have managed it with spray. Is it likely it will return as the weather warms up? If so, what can I do now? Also will the frosts destroy existing insects?

Over the last couple of months, most of my trees have been getting strange rusty coloured leaves, whereas before they were green. This includes a magnolia tree and a bay leaf tree - even though they are not close together. Can you tell me what it is, and how I can fix it? 

A few days ago, I went to get some mint from the garden and had so many whiteflies! There has always been a little on the mint, but never this amount. Is there any way to get rid of them forever?

What is the best way to save young trees from night beetle infestation? 

Just wondered if you know what’s happening with my geraniums? 

I am in Dunedin and succeeded in planting a variety of vegetables but my cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage crops were badly affected by white butterfly. How can I protect my crops from this insect without using any pesticide? Also, can I grow Okra and eggplant in Dunedin?

My apple tree is growing but has insects inside the fruit. I found a black spot outside and after cutting, found an insect-like tunnel inside. Also, my peach tree this year has had little growth. Now the leaves have small holes and fruit is not growing. I’ve already cut down two peach trees and sprayed both trees with copper spray in winter but this did not stop the insects in my apple tree. 

I have discovered what looks like bora on our nectarine tree. We treated our house for bora last summer. Could the bora have spread from the house to this fruit tree? How can we treat it so the fruit will be safe to eat?

I have a cyclamen as a pot plant in my home’s enclosed conservatory. It has been there for some time, but has recently got infested by small grey pests. They look like tiny hyphens and have appeared from nowhere. None of the surrounding pot plants have been infected. What are these pests and how do I deal with them?

The questions I want to know is why do white butterfly attack cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, but leave lettuce plants alone?  

Could you please give some information and recommended treatment for silver leaf? I noticed it on a rose Sally Holmen. I dug it out, binned it and watered the area with Trichoderma powder. I also had the disease in Viburnum davidii and Elaeagnus.

My viburnum hedge is dying, the leaves are going fawny gray with little black dots over them. I have used an aphid and mite spray and sprayed them 4 weeks in a row to no effect. Any new leaves look wilted and curling up. Normally they would be in flower now. Is this aphids? 

Our “Peasgood Nonsuch” apple tree has been infected. Starting at the lower leaves they have become a bronze/silver colour, gradually moving up the tree. It is now showing on the raspberries on the eastern side. We have sprayed with Target, but don't have much left.

My sturmer apple tree has a powdery appearance on some of the growing tips. The leaves affected aren't thriving whilst the rest of the tree where unaffected is doing well.  What is this, and how do I deal with it please?

How do I to stop cats digging up and doing their business in my garden, and how do I get rid of snails as they destroy/eat everything I plant, especially spinach, silverbeet and beans?

When raspberries and thornless blackberries have new growth often the top 2-3cm starts to brown off and die. Sometimes when I have nipped the dying piece off I have found a little caterpillar inside. Can you help?

My 3-year-old apple tree gets a soft fungus around the creases of the branches. I have tried a tooth-brush with water and baking soda which only temporally removes this. Any suggestions please?