Bugs! Pests and Beneficials

Although, we pay little attention to them, “bugs” area critical part of maintaining a healthy planet, our parks, forests, gardens,
local and global food production.

The best time to learn about our Bay of Plenty insects, is in the summer when they are most active.  Thus, we’ve scheduled this course for two summer days:  Saturday, 1 December 2018 and 9 February 2019.  

We’ll hold it at the rural, 10 acre Plenty Permaculture Cottage, where we have lots of bugs to get to know! 

Topics will include:

• Insect identification and monitoring
• Using lenses and USB microscopes to view bugs up close
• The pest/predator relationship. Switching the focus from pest control to increasing biodiversity
• Planting to attract beneficials 
• Selecting plants for resistance and appropriate planting
• Organic, sustainable pest management strategies

Students will want to bring any bugs from home they can find, and/or damaged plants for identification. 

The best bug book is Managing Pests and Diseases by Rob Lucas. Students may wish to get a copy from the library before class or scroll Trademe, as it is out of print.

Minimum numbers to hold the course is 6 and we’ll start a waiting list at 20.

The tuition is $90 for both two days: Saturday 1 December (2018) and 9 February (2019), 9:30-2:30. 

Please plan to bring a lunch as we are K’s away from stores or restaurants.  A full kitchen is available and tea and coffee will be provided.

You’ll receive an orienting email two weeks before the first day with detailed information on times,  directions,  what to bring, etc.

Your tutor will be the informative and engaging Kazel Cass.