Definition - What does infestation mean?
In gardening, infestation refers to persistent pests that infiltrate crops, affecting the plant’s general health and development. These pests usually occur in the form of slugs, ants, spiders and various types of insects. According to gardeners, it is important to use plenty of aged manure and compost to keep the soil healthy and fight off various types of infestations.
MaximumYield explains infestation
To minimize the risks of infestation, it is equally important to clear any form of debris around the growing space. This is because snails and slugs like to hide under pieces of stones and wood. Weeding is also crucial since weeds often act as a breeding ground for different types of pests. In some cases, mulch can keep insects at bay.
Pests tend to bury themselves in the soil during winter and make their way back to the crops in the spring. As a result, gardeners should rotate their crop to confuse different types of garden pests, hence reducing the risks of infestation. In some cases, it is advisable to attract pollinators and other plant-friendly insects that will aid in eliminating harmful pests. These include lacewings, nematodes, praying mantises and ladybugs. To attract these insects, planters can set up a flower garden around their main crops.
The main symptoms of plant infestations including slowed growth or development, yellowing leave and a fuzzy texture. Products containing thiacloprid, tar oil wash, grapeseed oil, natural fatty acids and pyrethrum have been shown to be very beneficial in case of infestation.