#pest-management

#pest-management

The big harvesting opportunity comes during mautam, the rare mass flowering of bamboo (Melocanna baccifera) that triggers stink bug outbreaks. There isn't a fixed date or month; it's mostly around September-October, says Lalvohbika, a conservationist at Dampa tiger reserve in Mizoram. But weather patterns are changing these days. In 2022 we saw them as early as May and then again in September-October.

The main method to wipe out screwworms is the sterile insect technique (SIT), exploiting their life cycle weakness, as they tend to only mate once.

Using a spray bottle, mix together a solution of water, a few tablespoons of washing up liquid and a few drops of an essential oil such as peppermint, lavender or clove oil. Lightly spritz this across your garden, focusing on any established wasp nests or places you've seen them frequently.

Mothballs are sometimes purported to be a way to keep pigeons off your roof, but they are neither effective nor reliable when used for repelling these birds.