GARDEN PESTS IN NEW ZEALAND 



though normally scavengers, their attacks upon seedlings and tender 

 parts of plants bring them into the ranks of important garden pests. 



Woodlice hibernate under any convenient shelter; in the spring, 

 eggs are produced and carried by the female on the under side of the 

 body until the young woodlice hatch. During growth the cuticle or shell 

 is periodically cast, and a freshly-moulted woodlouse is white in colour. 



The best method of control is garden sanitation, all rubbish likely 

 to harbour the woodlice being removed. Since they are nocturnal, the 

 woodlice can be trapped by means of moss laid on the ground ; the moss 

 in which the woodlice have taken shelter is collected during the day and 

 burned, or immersed in hot water to kill the animals, when it can be 

 used again. Some good results have been secured by means of sliced 

 potatoes dipped in arsenate of lead or Paris green; the potatoes are 

 placed within reach of the woodlice, which are attracted to and feed 

 upon the poisoned bait. Horse manure should not be used in seed beds 

 likely to be infested by woodlice. 



Millepedes. 



Millepedes are short, worm-like animals, with a fringe of numerous 

 short legs on each side (Fig. 13, 13), and have a characteristic habit of 

 curling up when disturbed. Though scavengers for the most part, 

 feeding upon decaying vegetation and on small organisms, they' may do 

 considerable damage to sprouting seeds, seedlings, and to tender plants; 

 they are particularly abundant in damp and warm soil, where there is 

 an abundance of rotting vegetable matter. 



Having a keen sense of smell, millepedes are readily attracted to 

 poisoned bait in the form of sliced potato spread with Paris green : 

 another method is to place a piece of freshly-cut potato under an 

 inverted flower pot, to which the millepedes will be attracted, when 

 they can be collected and destroyed. A satisfactory control measure is 

 to treat infested soil with black-leaf 40, using one part in one thousand 

 parts of water. 



Slugs and Snails. 



Plants are very often greatly damaged by the depredations of slugs 

 and snails; frequently young plants are devoured as soon as they appear 

 above ground. These animals attack the plants after nightfall, and 

 during the day seek cover. Though slugs will shelter in the soil, they, 

 together with snails, will shelter in any convenient place, such as under 

 old boards, sacking, bricks and stones upon the ground, or under large 

 leaves or amongst rank herbage indeed, in almost any place that affords 

 cover and moisture. Slugs and snails are especially active during we I- 

 weather, and at such times, owing to the overcast conditions, they will 

 continue their depredations in the daytime. 



Though slugs are active throughout the year, and even during 

 winter when the temperature is favourable, snails pass the winter, as 

 well as hot, dry spells in summer, in a dormant state, often being found 

 together in sheltered positions where the conditions are dry. 



Both slugs and snails copiously secrete a slimy substance, that 

 affords them protection against chemicals used for purposes of control. 



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