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30 guidesHow to Control Soft Bugs Organically
How to Control Soft Bugs Organically Soft-bodied insects like aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites can cause significant damage to plants by feeding on their sap, leading to weakened growth and the spread of plant diseases. Controlling these pests organically is essential for maintaining healthy crops and ecosystems. Here are effective organic methods to control soft […]
Insects for Homestead Chicken & Fish Feed
Why insects? Insects turn low-value organic leftovers into high-value protein and fertilizer, closing loops at village scale. Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, for example, eat food scraps and agro-wastes, their dried bodies become feed, and their frass is a plant-boosting soil amendment. A Windhoek enterprise (Biocycle) already does this at small industrial scale, diverting ~60 […]
Termites in the garden: understand activity and assess damage
Distinguish useful decomposition from crop damage, keep simple observations and choose responses that fit the actual problem.
Insect hotels and living habitat: make room for garden allies
An insect hotel can make small wildlife easier to observe, but it is only one part of a living garden.
Ants in the garden: follow the trail before treating
Ants can be predators, soil workers or companions of sap-feeding insects.
Earwigs: useful predators or seedling pests?
Earwigs are recognisable by the pincers at the end of their bodies.
Elephants and beehive fences: a community option to assess
Beehive fences use bees as part of an elephant-deterrent system.
Leafminers: read the damage before treating the garden
A pale winding trail inside a leaf often draws attention before the insect itself is seen. Leafminers feed within leaf tissue, but different insects make mines and not every marked leaf means the crop needs treatment.
Fall armyworm: inspect maize early and compare the evidence
Fall armyworm can injure maize, particularly when larvae feed in the whorl of developing leaves. Early observation helps distinguish a current infestation from old damage and other causes of poor growth.
Bagrada bugs: protect young brassicas and learn from local intercropping
Bagrada hilaris is a small shield bug that can damage brassicas such as cabbage, kale and mustard. Young plants deserve close attention because feeding at the growing point can affect the whole crop.
White grubs: distinguish decomposers from root damage
A pale, curled grub in compost or soil is not enough information to decide whether it is harming a plant. Beetle larvae differ in what they eat, and a useful diagnosis connects the insect with the actual damage.
Wall spiders: observe these hunting neighbours
Flat, fast-moving spiders on walls can be surprising visitors. Learning to recognise common hunting spiders can reduce unnecessary spraying and make the home garden a better place for a range of small predators.