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Sweet, sticky traps Some insects are attracted to certain colors. For example, aphids, thrips and whiteflies love the color yellow. Knowing this, I tried a method in my Loveland, Colo., garden for over 10 years. I use this same method here in the foothills of North Carolina where I now garden on Morgan Road in Boonville. I create my own sticky traps to rid my garden of some of these pests. I spread honey on 3-by-5-inch index cards and place them on stakes in my flower garden. The insects fly to the honey thinking they're in for a treat. Then they're stuck. If you really want to draw in the insects, try spreading honey on yellow index cards. These honey traps may only last for a few days, so you might have to change them or smear on new honey every few days. Plant bugs and rose chafers are attracted to white, so if these insects are a problem, use white index cards and smear petroleum jelly on them to snare the insects. This a tip my mother showed me when I was only a child. I am now passing on my gardening tips to my 4-year-old granddaughter, Caitlin Bergevin. Every summer we plant her a flower garden at her home and use only safe products. Caitlin is showing signs of a true gardener, and the time we spend together in the dirt is worth more than I can put into words. Chris Wooten |
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