How you choose to deal with the problem depends on what insect is causing damage.
Here’s how to identify and control some of the most common garden pests you’re likely to encounter.
Garden pests are less of a problem forhealthy plants planted in the right conditions.
Credit: David Speer
Start withnatural, organic methodsrather than harsher synthetic chemicals.
Awhite cottony form of aphidprefersfruit trees.
So unless they’re affecting a large agricultural crop, they aren’t usually a cause for great concern.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Garden pest control method:A strong spray ofwater from a hoseknocks them off plants.
Or cut off the affected stem and crush it on the ground.
Ladybug larvae and lacewings (beneficial insects) can helpbring aphids under control.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
This makes them trickier to deal with because many will turn into the pollinators that your garden needs.
Andwho doesn’t love butterflies?
Plant damage:Caterpillars and worms feed on plants, consuming leaves and stems.
Credit: Blaine Moats
Flea Beetles
What they look like:Tiny black or gray beetles are less than 1/8-inch long.
They will hop away like a flea or cricket when disturbed.
Older plants growing rapidly in hot weather often suffer little from flea beetle feedings.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Yellow sticky traps will attract flea beetles.
Unless the infestation is severe, healthy plants can survive some flea beetle damage.
Their natural predators, particularly parasitic wasps, often keep the population down.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Common targets includerosesandhibiscus, but hundreds of plants are favored by Japanese beetles.
Thelarvae (grubs) of Japanese beetlescan also be a problem in lawns.
They overwinter in the soil and eat grass roots in spring before emerging as adult beetles.
Credit: Laurie Black
Heavy infestations in turf grasses weaken lawns and allow weeds to take over.
Botanical and chemical treatments for grubs in lawns must be timed carefully.
The best defense against these pests is choosing plants they find less desirable.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Mealybugs
What they look like:Mealybugs are small, sap-sucking, cottony insects.
Plant damage:Mealybugs suck sap from plants causing distorted and limited growth and leaf loss.
They secrete honeydew as they eat, which can attract ants and lead to the growth of sooty mold.
Garden pest control method:In the garden, grow small-flowered nectar plants, such as sweet alyssum andyarrow.
Garden pest control method:In late winter, spray woody plants with dormant oil to suffocate the pests.
In spring and summer, spray plants with neem, or lightweight horticultural oil.
Snails look like slugs but have hard circular shells on their backs that they can retreat into when disturbed.
Plant damage:Slugs and snails eat holes into leaves and flowers.
They feed at night and on cloudy days, leaving shiny slime trails.
Garden pest control method:Slugs and snails prefer moist, cool areas.
Baits with iron phosphate, are safe fororganic food crops.
Copper and salt barriers have limited effectiveness.
Tent Caterpillars
What they look like:Tent caterpillars are the larvae of several different species of moths.
Plant damage:Larvae of tent-making caterpillars andfall webworms eat the leaves of trees.
Damage can be reduced by removing tents and caterpillars while they’re still small.
Destroy the nest by burning or crushing it after removal from the tree.
Insecticidal control may be warranted after sustained, high levels of damage over several seasons.
