Gardeners are in panic at the moment, strolling through their garden now the weather has cooled only to find their clumps of clivia almost stripped bare.

Yes, Spodoptera picta, the clivia caterpillar has multiplied with a vengeance during the humid weather. This prolific grub can only be controlled by spraying with Carbaryl - for success repeat spraying in 10 days is necessary.

During a humid summer mealy bug is always prevalent, it loves ferns and agapanthus. It is difficult to eliminate from ferns but a careful search where the leaves originate on agapanthus should reveal where these sticky white creatures are hiding. Apply Antiscale or Confidor, but note a follow up spray will be necessary.

Check Bird's Nest Ferns for discolouration which indicates white louse scale attack on the underside of the leaf. This pest also attacks palms and can be controlled with Antiscale.

When possible I would suggest using an Eco-oil or Pest Oil regularly once the scale has been eliminated.

These products are great if used regularly as a deterrent.

Hopefully citrus leaf miner has been controlled for this season - it is time now to keep an eye out for leaf miner attack on cineraria which will be planted out for spring colour.

Azaleas should be checked for spider mite which are barely visible to the naked eye.

Speckle leaves are a good warning of mite attack.

Both problems, on cinerarias and azaleas will need to sprayed with a systemic spray such as Insect and Mite Killer or Kelthane.

Plants that have had scale generally become covered with sooty mould when ants decide to forage the scale for its residue they transmit the fungal disease from plant to plant - this should be treated with copper oxychloride.