[aelf]

Ok, so we are knee-deep in snow and ice and it seems will be for the next ten days or so. But the good news is that the sub-zero temps are helping break up the soil, killing off some of those pesky insects and also helping to reduce the vermin population.

My glass is half full! 

[zazen999]

That's what I have been telling my OH every day for the last 3 weeks.

[Clover]

People say it reduces insects but after last year I really wonder about that considering the unusually massive level of aphids of all kinds in spring last year after the big snow.

...and the bugs on my brassicas seem to survive the fridge very well for a few days.

[DD.]

We didn't get such an extended freezing period as this last year. Frost is getting deper & deeper.

As for bugs surviving your fridge, the bit where you store your veg doesn't freeze!

[titch]

aaaaaaaaaaah  i feel so sorry for all the pesky critters 




NOT 

[aelf]

We didn't get such an extended freezing period as this last year. Frost is getting deper & deeper.

As for bugs surviving your fridge, the bit where you store your veg doesn't freeze!

also, we had an unusually long warm period in the early spring last year which promoted early plant growth, and that gave all the aphids a head start. A good long freeze this winter will kill off many of the overwintering insects and thier eggs etc.

[savbo]

but what effect will it have on the predators? If they're knocked back too, the pests will be able to breed away (they generally breed faster than the predators) and we're back to square one...

fingers crossed by bug hotel and other wildlife features have worked...

M

[sunshineband]

and keep feeding those little birds