Hostas Pest and Disease Control

Hostas Pest and Disease Control - One of the many advantages of having hosta plants is that they are a very sturdy and hardy plant that can withstand many conditions. Hosta plants need shade typically more than sunlight, but this works very well since many hosta plants are used to decorate the base of trees and other bushes and plants. They are typically planted underneath trees where there would not be very much sun and this works very well with this type of plant. However, some work just as well in the sun too. So, when planting depending on the species of the hosta plant you will have both options of where to plant them.

Also, because this is a sturdy plant they are not as prone to garden pests and diseases as other plants can be. Garden bugs and pests are not as common in hosta gardens as you will find in many other types of gardens. They are not as prone to damage from diseases and bug infestations.

However, there are only two pests that can actually damage your hosta plants and those are slugs and snails. These two can do mass amounts of damage to your hosta plants if they are not taken care of. Occasionally, if there are not many snails or slugs in your hosta garden, they may not do as much damage. It will depend on the number of snails and/or slugs you have in your garden, which will determine the amount of damage that they do.

There are a few ways to help stop snails and slugs from investing your hosta plants. Catching the problem early on will stop the spread of the pests and will ensure that they can not damage your plants early in the season. Once they do the damage early on, it will be obvious for the rest of the growing season. One of the best ways to stop this from happening is to use a liquid metaldehyde on the hosta plants themselves and all around the soil that the hostas are planted in. Do this in the beginning of the spring or the beginning of the growing season, since snails and slugs hibernate through the winter. Using the solution right before they come out of hibernation will ensure that they are eliminated before they can do any damage. You will need to repeat the formula for about eight weeks, since the smaller snails and slugs like to hide in leaves, by this time the hosta plant will have absorbed the solution and it will begin taking affect on the pests.

If for some reason this does work then there is also the option of using garden pellets. These are made to attract slugs and snails. Unfortunately, since the pellets attract slugs and snails this could make the problem even worse. You do not need to use a lot of pellets, instead look to see where the snails and slugs are hiding and place the pellets in these areas. However, these pellets are poisonous to humans, so you will want to be careful when using them and make sure that animals and children will not be around them or be able to get a hold of them.

However, the simplest and the cheapest way to eliminate the snails and slugs is to mix up a bucket of salt water. Near dusk or right after dusk, spread the salt water over the entire garden and then you can pick up all the slugs and snails that are left. After a heavy rain is a good time to pick them up as well.

Choosing one of these remedies or all three depending on the circumstances will help you to eliminate your slug and snail problem saving your hosta plants from damage throughout the entire growing season. Remembering to take care of the problem immediately will cure the issue faster and will help ensure that it does not happen again.

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