Grape Pest Control - Get Those Buggers!
Growing grapes is a real commitment and getting your grape pest control program in place is going to be the key to a successful grape harvest. Given all the time and effort needed to grow a great batch of grapes, the thought of having them wiped out by some grape loving pest is enough to make a grape grower sick. All that work only to be destroyed by some grape killing vermin is almost too much to take. So, in addition to everything else you must do to keep healthy grapes you must be ready willing and able to execute a good pest control program.
Grape pest control just like pruning is a discipline best started the minute those grapes go into the ground and start crawling up the trellis. Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to pest control. Don't even give the little buggers the lightest chance to get their filthy feelers on your grape crop. There are some quick and easy tips to keep in mind for keeping the pests out when you plant your grape vines. For instance make sure you plant your vines away from consistently wet ground. Keep them as dry as possible except when you water them. Remember, sunlight, sunlight and more sunlight!
Another good tip for grape pest control is to plant your vines parallel to prevailing winds and where there is plenty of aeration. Some people advocate the snipping off the leaf above and below a sprouting vine to lessen the advancement of disease. And, once planted the best way to avoid any pests and or diseases is to keep the grape vine well pruned. Remove any diseased leaves from the plant immediately and keep dead leaves off as well. You also want to keep the area under the plants as clean as possible. Don't let any rotten fruit stay near the vines as they will attract bugs and fungus.
A lot of grape pest control can be done by hand at the beginning of the season. Remove and destroy any bugs you see on the leaves of the plants. This will greatly reduce the population of such critters as grape tomato galls and other aphids. Leaves infected with grape berry moths can be removed and destroyed before they cause any damage. As with growing grapes themselves, pest control on grape vines is all about being diligent and responsible with maintenance items
Grape pest control just like pruning is a discipline best started the minute those grapes go into the ground and start crawling up the trellis. Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to pest control. Don't even give the little buggers the lightest chance to get their filthy feelers on your grape crop. There are some quick and easy tips to keep in mind for keeping the pests out when you plant your grape vines. For instance make sure you plant your vines away from consistently wet ground. Keep them as dry as possible except when you water them. Remember, sunlight, sunlight and more sunlight!
Another good tip for grape pest control is to plant your vines parallel to prevailing winds and where there is plenty of aeration. Some people advocate the snipping off the leaf above and below a sprouting vine to lessen the advancement of disease. And, once planted the best way to avoid any pests and or diseases is to keep the grape vine well pruned. Remove any diseased leaves from the plant immediately and keep dead leaves off as well. You also want to keep the area under the plants as clean as possible. Don't let any rotten fruit stay near the vines as they will attract bugs and fungus.
A lot of grape pest control can be done by hand at the beginning of the season. Remove and destroy any bugs you see on the leaves of the plants. This will greatly reduce the population of such critters as grape tomato galls and other aphids. Leaves infected with grape berry moths can be removed and destroyed before they cause any damage. As with growing grapes themselves, pest control on grape vines is all about being diligent and responsible with maintenance items
