Problem Solver

ANTS

Problem
Ants can be a real problem in your garden. They can create horrible looking mounds on your lawn, tend to dry out soils where they nest and are also known to spread other pest activities.

Resolution
Ant Killa is an effective solution to ant problems in your garden and on your lawn. It is formulated using an effective active, Bifenthrin, preferred by many gardeners for its gentleness on the environment. Ants thrive in dry environments, to deter an application of Ezi Wet soil wetter that lets the water into the soil is recommended, this has the added benefit of ensuring Ant Killa gets down into the soil where ants are active.

Richgro Recommended Product
Ant Killa, Ezi Wet Soil Wetter, Ant, Spider & Cockroach Killer

APHIDS

Problem
Aphids are soft small oval-shaped insects varying in colour including pink, green, red and black. Some have wings and some don’t. They have a tendency to cluster together on young plants causing them to weaken, with leaves appearing distorted and stunted. Aphids attack most plants including ornamentals, roses, flowers and vegetables such as potato, cabbage and bean.

Resolution
For a natural solution, use Beat-A-Bug Naturally Based Insect Spray. Key ingredients of Beat-A-Bug are natural chilli & garlic, which will get rid of aphids from your beautiful garden.

Alternatively use Bug Killa, a systemic granulated insecticide that is taken up by the plants roots to control aphids on Azaleas, Roses and ornamental plants. It will protect your plants for up to 6 weeks.

Richgro Recommended Products
Beat-A-Bug Naturally Based Insect Spray, Bug Killa Granular Garden Insecticide

AZALEA LACE BUG

Problem
Azalea Lace Bugs are only about 1/8 of an inch long. With a magnifying glass you can identify them by their transparent wings that form a lacy shield over their square shaped bodies.

Lace bugs and their larvae feed on azaleas and other flowering plants and shrubs throughout the growing season. You might notice yellow or white stippling on leaves, leaf curl, browning of leaves during active growth or premature leaf drop.

Resolution
Use Bug Killa, a systemic granulated insecticide that is taken up by the plants roots to control aphids on Azaleas, Roses and ornamental plants. It will protect your plants for up to 6 weeks.

Richgro Recommended Products
Bug Killa Granular Garden Insecticide

BINDII

Problem
Bindii is an annual weed. It establishes from seed in Autumn, grows actively through Winter, and flowers in Spring.

Resolution
The trick to stopping Bindii from spreading is to spray them in winter as soon as you see them, use Richgro Bindii & Clover weedkiller or Richgro Bindii and Weedkiller for lawns.

Richgro Recommended Products
Bindii & Weedkiller for Lawns

BLACKBERRY

Problem
Blackberry is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness and potential for spread. Bushes grow actively late spring to early autumn.

Resolution
For best results cut much of the tree as possible. Cut into the roots & brush the trunks with Richgro Tree, Blackberry and Woody Weedkiller. Drill holes & pour solution into the hole. For best results, cut much of the tree as possible before applying the solution.

Richgro Recommended Product
Tree, Blackberry & Woody Weedkiller

BLACK SPOT

Problem
This disease can attack leaves, stems and fruit of plants. Black spot is caused by a fungus .It starts with circular, feathery black spots, which first develop on the upper surface of leaves and continues with all infected leaves turning yellow and falling prematurely. When the new leaves are produced they can also be infected. This is a common problem on roses especially during warm conditions and can have devastative consequences so be sure to check your rose bushes daily for any signs of black spot.

Resolution
For preventive action on roses, use Richgro Organic Rose Marvel in Autumn which will help reduce the incidence of fungal diseases in next seasons. For immediate control, use Richgro Blackspot & Insect Killer for Roses or for a natural option Beat-a-Bug Happy Roses. For other applications, use Richgro Copper Fungicide & Leaf Curl spray.

Richgro Recommended Products
Beat-A-Bug Happy Roses, Copper Fungicide & Leaf Curl Spray

BROWN PATCH ON LAWNS

Problem
Brown patch in lawns can be caused by one or several things. The most common reason being the lack of water penetration into the root zone of the lawn. This is usually caused by a build up of thatch in the lawn and is best treated by a de-thatching and application of a soil wetter. To see if your lawn is water repellent run the hose on the lawn for about a minute and see if the water runs off or into the lawn, if the water runs off it, treat with a good soil wetting agent like Richgro EZI-WET soil wetter.

If the water runs into the lawn, the brown patch may be caused by lawn grub or black beetle lava that eats the root system of the lawn. To prove this, run your garden hose onto the lawn until it is flooded, leave for thirty minutes or so and then see if grubs or beetles have surfaced, if so treat with Richgro Lawn Beetle and Grub Killa, for best results use with EZI-WET soil wetter as the application of a soil wetter will ensure the compounds are washed down to the root zone where the grubs and beetles are present.

If no grubs or beetles are present and the soil is not water repellent, it is possible that the lawn has dollar spot fungi, this is especially active in times of high humidity or if you water your lawn at night. Dollar spot is identified as small circles of brown patch roughly the size of a dollar coin, if you look at your lawn early in the morning you will also see spider web like circles on your lawn. To treat it, apply Richgro Mancozeb Plus as directed on the pack, you may need to apply several times as the fungi are particularly strong. Also do not water your lawn at night, change the watering cycle to mornings as this will reduce the risk of re-occurrence of dollar spot.

Resolution
Treat as directed above depending on the source of the problem.

Richgro Recommended Products
EZI WET Soil Wetter, Lawn Beetle & Grub Killa, Mancozeb Plus Sulphur Fungicide

CAPEWEED

Problem
Capeweed establishes from seed in autumn and grows actively through Winter and flowers in Spring.

Resolution
Use Natural Beat- A-Weed on your garden, paths, driveways and around sheds. Spray to complete coverage of weed surface. This product can be used on your garden, driveways, paths and spot spraying on lawns and will show amazing results.

Use Bindii and Clover Weedkiller on lawns.

Richgro Recommended Products
Beat-A-Weed Natural Weedkiller, Bindii & Weedkiller for Lawns

CLOVER

Problem
Clover is a perennial clover with little leaflets in the shapes varying from heart to ovoid with distinct terminal indication. It produces white small flowers, which are sometimes tinged with a pinkish colour. If left uncontrolled, it can smother the entire lawn, killing off the lawn under it.

Resolution
Use Richgro Bindii & Clover Weedkiller or Richgro Bindii and Weedkiller for Lawns.

Richgro Recommended Products
Bindii & Weedkiller for Lawns, Lawn Feed and Weed

COCKROACHES

Problem
Cockroaches are fast, hard to kill, and get into everything.They can also be a health threat. Habits and high reproductive rates of pest cockroaches can lead to large populations spreading disease organisms, contaminating food, causing allergies, and even worsening asthma.

Resolution
The new Richgro range of Ant, Spider & Cockroach Killers have Permethrin as an active. It is a synthetic, man-made insecticide, whose chemical structure is based on natural pyrethrum. The so-called pyrethroid insecticides were developed to match or exceed the effectiveness of natural pyrethrum but be more stable in sunlight. Permethrin is a popular insecticide and widely used in a number of ways to control insects.

Richgro Recommended Products
Ant, Spider & Cockroach Killer

DANDELION

Problem
The Dandelion is a perennial herb which flowers most of the year and invades lawns, spreading its seed by the wind, animals or man.

Resolution
Use Natural Beat-A-Weed on your garden, paths, driveways and around sheds. Spray to complete coverage of weed surface. This product can be used on your garden, driveways, paths and spot spraying on lawns and will show amazing results.

Use Bindii and Clover Weedkiller on lawns.

Richgro Recommended Products
Beat-A-Weed Natural Weedkiller, Bindii & Weedkiller for Lawns

DOLLAR SPOT ON LAWNS

Problem
Dollar spot is identified as small circles of brown patch roughly the size of a dollar coin, if you look at your lawn early in the morning you will also see spider web like circles on your lawn. Dollar spot is a very common lawn disease in home garden lawns. Symptoms usually start with the appearance of small straw- coloured circular spots, which eventually grows. Its growth is known to be encouraged by long periods of leaf wetness or low nitrogen situations, so it is important to pay careful attention to watering but also keep lawns well fertilised to prevent its appearance. The disease occurs in late spring, summer and early autumn when the weather is warm and humid. Bent grass and blue couch are particularly susceptible.

Resolution
To treat Dollar Spot, use Richgro Mancozeb. Apply 10 litres spray per 10 square metres. Repeat each 10 days during disease susceptible periods.

Richgro Recommended Product
Mancozeb Plus Sulphur Fungicide

DOWNY MILDEW

Problem
Downy Mildew first appears on the upper surfaces of the leaves as patches or spots. On the underside of the leaves directly below each spot, a downy or furry growth is produced.

Downy Mildew thrives in warm humid weather blowing from plant to plant. Downy Mildew will attack vegetables, ornamentals and fruit plants.

Resolution
To treat Downy Mildew, use Richgro Mancozeb Plus. Apply 10 Litres spray per 10 square metres. Repeat each 10 days during disease susceptible periods.

Remove and dispose of all infected parts. Use Richgro Mancozeb on certain vegetables or Copper Fungicide & Leaf Curl Spray on ornamentals (check labels carefully for applications).

Richgro Recommended Products
Mancozeb Plus Sulphur Fungicide, Copper Fungicide & Leaf Curl Spray

EARWIGS

Problem
Earwigs are usually a temporary problem in the garden, however if they build large populations, they can become a serious problem, eating your much-loved plants, leaving droppings on your vegetables and even invading your homes.

Resolution
Use Richgro Beat-A-Bug Naturally Based Insect Spray will control earwigs and give a boost of nutrients to your plants at the same time.

Richgro Recommended Products
Beat-A-Bug Naturally Based Insect Spray

FRUIT FLY

Problem
Fruit flies are a large and important group of insect pests that attack a wide range of fruit and vegetables in the home garden.

Resolution
Use Richgro Naturally Based Fruit Fly Spray Concentrate which will control fruit fly in the home garden and can be used up to 1 day before harvest.

Richgro Recommended Products
Naturally Based Fruit Fly Spray Concentrate

LAWN BEETLE

Problem
The adult black beetle is shiny black and 10-13 mm long. The larvae attack lawns, eating the lawn roots, starving the lawn of its nutrients. October can be a critical month for lawns when an infestation of grubs, beetles and other insects, begin to hatch.

Resolution
Sprinkle Richgro Lawn Beetle & Grub Killa uniformly over the ground where lawn beetles are present and water it in immediately after application. An application of Ezi Wet will flush the Lawn Beetle & Grub Killa down to where beetle lava and grubs are active. Inspect treated areas for continuing activity and reapply as required.

Richgro Recommended Product
Lawn Beetle & Grub Killa, EZI-Wet soil wetter

LAWN GRUB

Problem
The lawn grub is a white, ‘C’-shaped grub with a brown to black head. They are the larvae of various lawn beetles and live beneath the soil surface, feeding on the roots of grass. They can cause devastation to your lawns before you are even aware of their presence. Some of the common visual signs of a lawn grub problem can be circular patches in your lawn, turning brown or yellow or a soft and spongy feel to your lawn, or grass lying loosely on top of your lawn. Most lawn grubs are active during warmer seasons, from early spring, through summer and into autumn.

Resolution
Lawn grubs are easy to control. Sprinkle Richgro Lawn Beetle & Grub Killa uniformly over the ground where lawn grubs are present and water it in immediately after application. An application of Ezi Wet will flush the Lawn Beetle & Grub Killa down to where beetle lava and grubs are active. Inspect treated areas for continuing activity and reapply as required.

Richgro Recommended Product
Lawn Beetle & Grub Killa, EZI-WET soil wetter

LEAF CURL

Problem
The most common characteristic of leaf curl appears on the foliage. Leaves infected by this disease are severely deformed and often display a variety of colours ranging from light green and yellow to shades of red and purple. Leaf Curl attacks stone fruits, especially peaches and nectarines and can produce massive crop losses.

Resolution
Spray Richgro Lime Sulfur at bud movement on Peaches, Nectarines, Prunes, Plums, Apricots. Use Richgro Copper Fungicide & Leaf Curl Spray also for general stone fruits.

Richgro Recommended Product
Lime Sulfur Fungicide, Copper Fungicide & Leaf Curl Spray

MILLIPEDES

Problem
Millipedes eat mostly dead plant matter but can be minor garden pests especially to emerging plants. Signs of millipede damage include the stripping of the outer layers of a young plant stem and irregular damage to leaves and the very top of a plant.

Resolution
Use Carbaryl Caterpillar, Grasshopper & Millipede Insecticide to control millipedes on non-crop plants.

Richgro Recommended Products
Carbaryl Caterpillar, Grasshopper & Millipede Insecticide, Slater & Millepede Killa

OXALIS

Problem
Creeping Oxalis can be found in all turf situations. It is a perennial weed that can be extremely persistent. It is mainly a summer grower, but it can keep growing all year round.

Resolution
Use Natural Beat-A-Weed on your garden, paths, driveways and around sheds. Spray to complete coverage of weed surface.

Use Bindii and Clover Weedkiller on lawns.

Richgro Recommended Products
Beat-A-Weed Natural Weedkiller, Bindii & Weedkiller for Lawns

POSSUMS

Problem
Possums can destroy an entire garden. They eat your flowers, your vegetables, your fruits, and can eradicate your lovely plants. They are very messy eaters and can be identified by the clutter they often leave behind- the ground & will show half eaten leaves, flowers, or fruits.

Resolution
Beat-A-Bug Poss Off is a natural product that effectively deters possums and keeps them away from your valued plants. It contains a naturally derived bitter tasting possum deterrent that will repel possums without harming them. It will also give a boost of natural nutrients to your plants on application.

Richgro Recommended Product
Beat-A-Bug Poss Off (Natural)

POWDERY MILDEW

Problem
This fungal disease usually affects a wide variety of plants during summer and autumn. Powdery Mildews are mainly found on leaves as small white spots, but they can also occur on stems, flower parts and fruits.

Resolution
For application to roses and ornamentals use Richgro Blackspot & Insect killer for roses.

Richgro Recommended Product
Mancozeb Plus Sulphur Fungicide

RUST

Problem
Rust first appears as small yellow spots on the upper leaf surface. Under the leaf, directly beneath the spots there are powdery pustules containing spores.

Resolution
Use Lime Sulfur on peaches, nectarines, prunes, plums, and apricots.

Use Richgro Blackspot & Insect Killer for Roses on roses and ornamentals.

Richgro Recommended Products
Lime Sulfur Fungicide

SLATER

Problem
The Slater is most commonly light grey in colour but can also be pale brown to dull blue in colour, with an oval body and seven pairs of legs. It does not bite and is harmless, however in rare instances they can become pests to young plants in your garden (especially in very moist conditions in which they thrive). They can become very active after applications of composted wood based mulches

Slaters feed mainly on decaying organic matter therefore mulch, compost and regular watering in gardens favours the development of dense slater populations. At low population densities, they are regarded as beneficial to the garden as they help the breakdown of organic matter. At high densities, however they can cause serious damage to new seedlings and ripe fruit in contact with the ground (such as strawberries).

Resolution
Slater Killa

Richgro Recommended Product
Slater & Millepede Killa

SNAILS AND SLUGS

Problem
Snails and slugs are among the most aggressive garden pests around – and they always return, no matter what measures you take. The two are quite similar in appearance; snails have a shell whilst slugs don’t. They both attack a broad range of plants, leaving irregular-shaped holes in leaves. Snails and slugs are active at night, but will come out and feed in your garden during cooler, wetter days.

Resolution
Richgro Snail & Slug Killer pellets.

Richgro Recommended Product
Snail & Slug Killer Pellets

SPIDERS

Problem
Like any pest, a spider infestation can be problematic.These eight-legged terrors are generally harmless but you may consider them undesirable.

Richgro Recommended Products
Ant, Spider & Cockroach Killer

THISTLE

Problem
Thistles are erect annual, biennial, or perennial herbs, which reproduce by seed. The flower heads are generally reddish to purple although yellow flowers are produced by some species. Seeds germinate mainly after the autumn rains but a few shoot at other times when adequate moisture is available. They grow in winter developing further in spring and flowering in summer to late autumn.

Resolution
Use Natural Beat-A-Weed on your garden, paths, driveways, and around sheds. Spray to complete coverage of weed surface.

Use Bindii and Clover Weedkiller on lawns.

Richgro Recommended Products
Beat-A-Weed Natural Weedkiller, Bindii & Weedkiller for Lawns

THRIP

Problem
Thrips are tiny, slender insects that scrape tissue from your flowers and leaves and then drink the plant juices. The results are usually leaves appearing to shrink and curl up. Thrips breed quickly, so as the season progresses, a greater number of thrips will be in force in your garden.

Resolution
Use Beat-A-Bug Naturally Based Insect Spray

Richgro Recommended Products
Beat-A-Bug Naturally Based Insect Spray

TOMATO POTATO PSYLLID

Problem
The adult Tomato –Potato Psyllid is about the size of an adult aphid but looks like a tiny cicada under magnification . The female lays yellow eggs that are attached by stalks to plant leaves, usually to the leaf edges. Psyllid nymphs hatch from these eggs and after five moults become adults. The nymphs are flat scale-like insects which are mostly inactive but move when disturbed. Nymphs and adults feed by sucking plant juices, which is how they are thought to spread Liberibacter.

Nymphs and adults secrete plant sap as white granules called ‘psyllid sugars’ which can be seen on the leaves. In humid conditions and where there are large numbers of psyllids, black sooty mould fungi can grow on the sugars. Dense sooty mould on leaves may reduce photosynthesis, but this is rarely a problem on outdoor plants as the psyllid sugars are usually removed by wind and rain.

Resolution
Use Beat-A-Bug Naturally Based Insect Spray

Richgro Recommended Products
Beat-A-Bug Naturally Based Insect Spray