Trap plants

[Susan W]

Some talk about trap plants, that being something one isn't so interested in but the pest loves it. Theory is, pest attracted to that one, leaves yours alone. My question is basic. If one provides habitat for pest, don't we just get more of that species? Or do you get them habitating on the trap plant, then zap them with your whatever method?

Susan -call me confused

[JC's Garden]

If you get an increase in the pest population you will likewise get an increase in the population of creatures that prey on the pest species. Let nature take it's course with them, but you decide where it takes place.

[applestar]

Ditto.

e.g. Ladybugs won't stay in your garden if they have nothing to eat or to serve to their babies when the eggs hatch.

But you can always simply bag the entire trap crop with the pests, too. It does take some self restraint to see the mass of pests seething and roiling,

It's a good idea to examine closely before disposing, but I admit to doing that too.

Yesterday late Pm, I found a huge infestation of tent caterpillars on the climbing rose and honeysuckle trellis. No problem, just clip off the tents with caterpillars inside and bag, secure closed and toss. Less caterpillars falling on the ground (or me!) the better.

One year, I had a huge Japanese beetle infestation and a volunteer wild grape was the answer. Enclose entire vine shoot full of JB's in trash bag, close bag around the vine and clip off the vine, , then throw on the ground and thoroughly stomp.

[imafan26]

Remember your trap plant is usually your sentry plant too. If it stays clean, then you have your pests under control.

Some trap plants are dual purpose. Marigolds are trap plants for aphids and will attract the ladybugs and their larvae, but certain cultivars of dwarf French marigolds and African marigolds are also trap plants for nematodes. The nematodes attack them, but the chemistry of the marigold prevents them from reproducing. Tilling in the cover crop, helps protect plants that follow. Nemagone was a marigold that was specifically developed for its ability to repel or kill nematodes. Sun hemp also has nematocidal properties.

Tagetes minuta and Tagetes lucida are edible marigolds. T. minuta is supposed to even kill weeds. Marigold flowers of some cultivars are edible, but I find them sour and bitter. Mexican Tarragon is a French tarragon substitute in the tropics where French tarragon won't live through summer.

https://www.motherearthliving.com/plant- ... z35WNd2JiV
https://www.seedaholic.com/tagetes-patul ... ietta.html
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ng045
https://www.sarahraven.com/shop/tagetes- ... igold.html
https://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing ... -tarragon/

Nasturtiums are trap plants for black aphids but the leaves, flowers and seeds are all edible with a peppery bite.

Fennel attracts a lot of aphids away from your other plants but really isn't bothered by them much. In return the aphids feed the hungry ladybug larvae and the long lasting blooms provide nectar and pollen for bees, parasitic wasps, hover flies, lace wings, and big eyed bugs. As a bonus the leaves, bulb and seeds of Finocchio fennel are also edible with a licorice like flavor. Fennel needs to be planted by itself, it does not like company.
https://www.farmerfred.com/plants_that_a ... enefi.html

[grrlgeek]

Last fall I watched my groundhog radish tops get thoroughly munched by cabbage white caterpillars, while the nearby broccoli was untouched. In another part of the garden, the broccoli and Brussels sprouts had no radishes nearby. It was a full time job after work hand picking little green worms.

I planted Icicle radishes nearby in the main bed in the spring with the plan to let them seed. (which worked great). But next to those, and adjacent to the broccoli, were my turnips. I haven't got on board with eating turnip greens yet, so I just let them take it for the Team. The broccoli was untouched, again, and the turnip leaves looked like swiss cheese but the roots were fine.

I found aphids on the cauliflower, but not many, and spraying with water once every couple days kept them at bay. I kept finding ladybugs hanging out in the celery that I left to go to seed so I parked the bucket next to the cauliflower, and there were beautiful little ladybug larvae everywhere along with a corresponding decrease in finding aphids.

I'm a believer.

[rainbowgardener]

Velvet leaf is a great trap crop for leaf miners. I just pull and dispose the leaves with the squiggles in them and the miners don't bother the crops I care about.

Wild grape vine works for me too as trap crop for the Japanese beetles. I was using it as a place to congregate them, where I could find them and kill them. But I finally decided as long as they stay on the grape vine (a weed) and don't bother the rest of my garden, why kill them? So I quit. I wasn't enjoying murdering them, they are beautiful little creatures and they took a long time to die in my soap solution and sometimes I had to push them back down under.

So no, I don't think I get more of the pests than I would without the trap, they are just localized in a place where I can do something about them and kept away from the things I care about.

[Susan W]

Thanks for replies folks! It looks like for some, getting the unwanteds to munch on something they find more desirable than your prized veggie is good. For others, getting them on something else, then work to dispose that.