Trap crops are a strategic method to protect your garden from pests. By planting them strategically, you can lure harmful insects away from your main plants, keeping your garden healthy and vibrant.
– Plant trap crops around the garden perimeter or intercrop them with main plants.
– Ensure there are extra trap plants in case some need to be removed.
– Use trap crops specifically for serious pest issues to maximize effectiveness.
Trap crops can be planted as borders around the perimeter of the garden, or intercropped in alternating rows with your plants, or mixed randomly within the beds. Always plant extra trap plants in case you have to pull one or two. Only plant trap crops for serious pest issues.
What are trap crops for bugs?
Examples of Trap Crops
| Trap Crop | Main Crop | Pest controlled |
|---|---|---|
| Nasturtium | Cabbage | Aphids Flea beetle Cucumber beetle Squash vine borer |
| Okra | Cotton | Flower cotton weevil |
| Onion and Garlic | Carrot | Carrot rust fly Thrips |
| Radish | Cabbage family | Flea beetle Root maggot |
Which plant has a trap?
The plant which catches insects and feeds on them is the pitcher plant. The numerous carnivorous plants in the pitcher plant family have modified stems named pitfall traps. Insectivorous plants trap nutrient-rich insects because they grow in shallow soil which is nutrient deficient.
Can a farmer be a millionaire?
Yes. There are so many different crops and so many different situations, it would be hard to generalize, but there are definitely farmers that have made millions, but not all of them are doing so sustainably.
What is a good trap crop?
Plant radishes and nasturtiums around your brassicas (like broccoli, kale, and collards) to trap flea beetles. Grow nasturtiums and calendula to trap aphids. Grow collard greens to prevent cabbage worms from ruining your cabbage plants. Plant sunflowers to trap stink bugs.
Are marigolds a trap crop?
When predatory mites are released unto their foliage, the marigolds serve as a trap plant where thrips are attracted and killed. Because marigolds provide a source of pollen and thrips for the predatory mites they are a habitat/banker plant, enhancing mite survival and reproduction.
What is the best trap crop?
Examples of trap crops include marigolds, nasturtiums, alyssum, radishes, and mustard greens.
Where do you put trap crops?
Positioning of the trap crop Border or perimeter trap cropping is the planting of trap crops around the main crop. For some insects, it is sufficient and prevents pest attacks from all sides of the crop. For example, Basil and Marigolds can be planted as border trap crops to protect your Garlic plants from thrips.
Is nasturtium a trap crop?
Some examples of trap crops to try are nasturtiums to attract aphids and flea beetle; radishes intercropped to trap flea beetles, root maggots and cabbage maggots away from plants in the cabbage family; chervil to lure in slugs; mustard intercropped in cabbage to attract cabbageworms; and French marigolds to attract …
What is the best trap crop for squash bugs?
A perimeter trap crop of Blue Hubbard squash can be used to protect summer squash from low to moderate populations of striped and spotted cucumber beetles (Fig. 1 & 2) and squash vine borers (SVB) (Fig. 3).
What is the best trap crop for aphids?
Cabbage, Broccoli, and Other Brassicas They love Brassica crops and can do a lot of damage very quickly. So, plant radishes and nasturtiums in between your Brassicas to attract flea beetles in the vicinity. Nasturtium, it should be added, is also a magnet for aphids. Plant it everywhere in the vegetable garden.
Is an example for a trap crop?
Trap crops, usually consisting of early-planted mustard, rape, or kale are sometimes recommended to divert the overwintering bugs from the principal crop. Such trap crops must be sprayed or destroyed, however, or the adults will soon move to the main crop.
Is okra a trap crop?
The important trap crops commonly used in pest management included, bhendi/okra in cotton to trap bollworms at the ratio of 1:10 and marigold at the boarder of the field. Sesamum is commonly being used as trap crop to attract Diamondback moth in both cabbage and cauliflower.
What is a good trap crop for squash bugs?
Various research studies have shown blue hubbard squash to be an effective trap crop in suppressing squash bug (Anasa tristis) such as a 1997 study from Oklahoma State University and a 2009 study from the University of Massachusetts and the University of Connecticut.
Do trap crops really work?
Trap cropping is most worthwhile for pests that are abundant and destructive in most years. It tends to work best for insects of intermediate mobility rather than those, like aphids, that are passively dispersed by air currents or those strong fliers that descend on a crop from high elevations.
Is parsley a trap crop?
Parsley can also be used as a trap crop to lure aphids away from more vulnerable vegetables such a your prize tomatoes.
In conclusion, trap plants are a valuable tool in natural pest control, attracting harmful insects away from main crops. By strategically planting trap plants, gardeners can protect their crops without resorting to harmful chemicals. Understanding which trap plants are effective for specific pests is key to successfully implementing this technique in your garden. By incorporating trap plants into your gardening practices, you can create a more balanced and sustainable ecosystem while reducing the need for traditional pesticides. Experimenting with different trap plants and monitoring their effectiveness will help you optimize this natural pest control method for your own garden.