Eradication Strawberry Guava (leaf gall)

[JerryCarr]

There are always unintended consequences when we try to manipulate the environmental balance. Is waiwi a pest? Depends on who you talk to and where it is. Can the guys proposing the introduction of this scale insect guarantee that is won't be a worse pest than the waiwi? I don't think so. This project is being proposed by government sponsored scientists, and I don't have a lot of faith in their assurances. Also, they freely admit that such interventions have only been 33% effective in the past. And don't you just love the part about it not really killing off the waiwi, but making it ugly and less rapidly spreading. What a deal! There has to be a better way if waiwi control is really a critical need.

I have spent countless hours hand grubbing waiwi out of areas where I choose to garden, but I am quite happy to have a stand of it in the rear of our acre. The birds and I enjoy a tasty treat in season.

Cheers,
Jerry