LETTUCE PEST

 Lettuce Pest

There really are too many pests to mention each and every one, so I will just look at a few.

Aphids, slugs, snails are by far the most common and the most serious pest of lettuce (as well as other garden crops)

1. Aphids: Symptoms of damage is yellow mottling of the lettuce leaf and distortion.

2. They really are a nasty beast to have around.

3. They feed on the sap of the plant.

4. Shed their skin a number of times, this leaves a sticky mess on the lettuce.

5. On top of that, Aphids give birth to pregnant females that means they will rapidly increase in number.

Solution:

1. Grow resistant varieties of lettuce; Avon crisp, Lakeland, little gem and sylvesta to name but a few of them.

2. Because Aphids prefer soft young leaves, it is best not to grow or use any form of artificial fertilizers, which encourages raped soft growth.

3. Aphids are also attracted by single planting of lettuce it is a good idea to mix and match your plants. Lettuce among onions or mint, for instance.

4. Cover your lettuce with a horticultural fleece, these are most effected.

5. You may be surprised to learn that you can buy ladybirds for use as a form of biological control. Aphids have their problems too, for ants capture them and herd them like we do cattle. Ants are even known to have ‘herds’ of dairy aphids.