What Are the Common Pests in a Garden?

Gardens are often susceptible to a variety of common pests. These pests can cause damage to crops and reduce yields. In general, the most common garden pests include aphids, slugs, snails, cutworms, whiteflies, caterpillars, and more. Although, pests are hard to get rid of in the garden space, there are good bugs in the garden as well. You can read about the Common Garden Helpers here.

Aphids

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of plants. They are commonly known as plant lice or greenflies and can be found on a wide variety of plants including trees, shrubs, vegetables, and flowers.

There are many species of aphids, and they come in different colors including green, yellow, brown, and black. Most species are less than 0.25 inch long and have a pear-shaped body with long antennae and two cornicles, which are small tubes on their back that secrete a waxy substance.

Aphids can reproduce rapidly and in large numbers, which makes them a serious pest in agriculture and gardening. They feed on the phloem sap of plants, which can weaken the plant and cause stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and premature leaf drop. Additionally, aphids can transmit plant viruses, which can further harm the plant.

Aphid Control

Natural predators of aphids include ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps. There are also many chemical and biological control methods available to manage aphid populations, such as insecticidal soaps, neem oil, and releasing beneficial insects.

Slugs and Snails

These mollusks feed on a variety of plants, including leaves, stems, and flowers. They are particularly problematic in moist, humid environments.

 Slugs and snails are both members of the mollusk family, which also includes oysters, clams, and mussels. They are soft-bodied animals that move by gliding on a muscular foot, which produces a slimy mucus trail that helps them to move across surfaces.

Snails and slugs are similar in many ways, but snails have a hard, spiral shell that provides protection and support, while slugs do not have a shell. Snails and slugs feed on a wide variety of plants, and can cause damage to crops and gardens.

In addition to their herbivorous diet, snails and slugs are also important decomposers, breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients in the soil. However, they can also be a nuisance to gardeners and farmers, as they can eat young plants and leaves, leaving behind holes and damage.

Slug and Snail Control

Control measures for snails and slugs include physical barriers such as copper tape or mesh, handpicking, and the use of bait traps or slug pellets. However, care must be taken to avoid harming other beneficial organisms, such as earthworms, in the process.

Cutworms

Cutworms are the larvae of several species of moths that are considered pests in agriculture and gardening. They are called cutworms because they cut seedlings and young plants at the base, causing them to wilt and die.

Cutworms are most commonly found in the soil around the base of plants, where they feed on the stem or roots of the plant. They are most active at night and can be difficult to detect because they spend most of their time below the surface of the soil.

There are several species of cutworms, and they come in different colors, including brown, gray, and green. They are typically around 1 to 2 inches long and have a smooth, cylindrical body.

In addition to cutting plants at the base, cutworms can also feed on the leaves and fruit of plants. They can cause significant damage to crops and gardens, particularly in the early stages of growth.

Cutworms Control

Control measures for cutworms include removing weeds and other debris from around the base of plants, as well as using physical barriers such as collars or mesh around young plants. Insecticides can also be effective, but care must be taken to avoid harming beneficial insects and other organisms.

Whiteflies

Whiteflies are small, winged insects that belong to the order Hemiptera. They are called whiteflies because they have a powdery white appearance due to a waxy coating on their wings and body. Whiteflies are common pests in agriculture and gardening, and can cause significant damage to plants.

Whiteflies feed on the sap of plants, particularly the undersides of leaves. They secrete a sticky, sugary substance called honeydew, which can attract other insects and promote the growth of sooty mold. In addition to causing direct damage to plants, whiteflies can also transmit plant viruses.

Whiteflies are small, typically less than 1/8 inch long, and have four wings. They are most active during the daytime and can be difficult to detect because they are easily disturbed and will fly off when approached.

Whitefly Control

Control measures for whiteflies include physical removal of infested leaves, pruning heavily infested plant parts, and using insecticidal soaps, oils, or pesticides. Beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings can also be introduced to help control whitefly populations.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars are the larval stage of butterflies and moths, and are characterized by their long, cylindrical body and multiple pairs of legs. They are herbivorous, and feed on a variety of plants.

Caterpillars come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, depending on the species. Some are smooth, while others have spines or hairs. Some are brightly colored, while others blend in with their surroundings.

While many caterpillars are harmless, some can be serious pests in agriculture and gardening. They can cause significant damage to crops and ornamental plants by feeding on leaves, stems, and fruit. Caterpillars, such as the tomato hornworm, feed on the leaves and stems of plants, causing significant damage. Some species of caterpillars, such as the gypsy moth and the armyworm, can cause defoliation and complete destruction of entire trees and fields.

Caterpillar Control

Control measures for caterpillars include physical removal of the caterpillars, pruning heavily infested plant parts, and the use of insecticides or biological control methods. Insecticides can be effective, but care must be taken to avoid harming beneficial insects and other organisms.

Thrips

Thrips are tiny, slender insects that belong to the order Thysanoptera. They are common pests in agriculture and gardening and can cause significant damage to plants.

Thrips feed on the sap of plants, and can cause damage to leaves, flowers, and fruit. They can also transmit plant viruses. Thrips are most active during warm, dry weather, and are commonly found on the undersides of leaves.

Thrips are small, typically less than 1/16 inch long, and are usually brown, black, or yellow. They have long, narrow wings that are fringed with long hairs.

Thrips Control

Control measures for thrips include removing weeds and other debris from around the base of plants, using insecticidal soaps or oils, and the use of predatory mites or insects such as ladybugs and lacewings. Beneficial nematodes can also be effective at controlling thrips in the soil.

Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles are a species of beetle native to Japan that has become a major pest in North America. They are destructive pests that can cause significant damage to plants, especially in their adult stage. 

The adult Japanese beetle is about 1/2 inch long with a metallic green body and bronze wings. They feed on the foliage, flowers, and fruits of over 300 different plant species, including roses, grapes, apples, and cherries.They can cause significant damage to plants by skeletonizing leaves, and can completely defoliate trees and shrubs if their populations are high.

In addition to causing direct damage, Japanese beetles can also attract other pests such as birds, who feed on the beetles, and raccoons and skunks, who dig up lawns to eat the grubs.

Japanese Beetles Control

Control measures for Japanese beetles include handpicking the adults off plants in the early morning when they are sluggish, using pheromone traps, and applying insecticides. However, care must be taken when using insecticides to avoid harming beneficial insects.

Cucumber Beetles

Cucumber beetles are a group of beetles that are common pests of cucurbits, including cucumbers, squash, and melons. They can cause significant damage to these crops by feeding on leaves, stems, and fruit.

There are two species of cucumber beetles: the striped cucumber beetle and the spotted cucumber beetle. Both species are yellow green in color with black stripes or spots on their body. They are approximately 1/4 inch long.

Cucumber beetles are particularly damaging to young plants, as they can cause stunted growth and reduced yields. They can also transmit bacterial wilt, a disease that can cause the plant to wilt and die.

Cucumber Beetle Control

Control measures for cucumber beetles include using row covers to prevent the beetles from reaching the plants, removing and destroying infested plant parts, and applying insecticides. Biological control methods such as introducing parasitic wasps or nematodes can also be effective at controlling cucumber beetle populations.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are tiny, plant-feeding pests that are common in gardens and greenhouses. They are not true insects, but are instead members of the arachnid family, along with spiders and ticks.

Spider mites are very small, typically less than 1/50 of an inch long, and can be difficult to see with the naked eye. They are usually red, brown, or yellow in color. They feed on the sap of plants by piercing the plant cells with their mouthparts, causing the leaves to turn yellow, brown, or bronze.

Spider mites are most active in hot, dry weather and can reproduce rapidly under these conditions. They can quickly infest a plant and spread to neighboring plants, causing significant damage to crops and ornamental plants.

Spider Mite Control

Control measures for spider mites include regularly washing plants with a strong stream of water to remove the mites, using insecticidal soaps or oils, and releasing predatory mites or insects such as ladybugs and lacewings. Beneficial nematodes can also be effective at controlling spider mites in the soil.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects that are common pests of indoor and outdoor plants. They are related to other plant pests such as scale insects and aphids.

Mealybugs are small, typically 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, and are covered in a white, waxy substance that resembles cotton or a powdery coating. They feed on the sap of plants by inserting their mouthparts into the plant tissue and sucking out the plant juices. This can cause the leaves to yellow and wilt, and can stunt the growth of the plant.

Mealybugs can reproduce quickly, and can spread rapidly from plant to plant, making them difficult to control. They are often found on the undersides of leaves, on new growth, or in crevices and protected areas of the plant.

Mealybug Control

Control measures for mealybugs include regularly inspecting plants for signs of infestation, manually removing the insects with a cotton swab or soft brush, using insecticidal soaps or oils, and releasing beneficial insects such as ladybugs or lacewings. In severe infestations, it may be necessary to dispose of heavily infested plants.

---

Products for Pest Control

We like to use more organic methods of pest control like soapy water, or removing the pests by hand. However, in severe cases, we use insecticidal soap, or neem oil.

These are just a few of the common pests that can be found in a garden. To effectively control garden pests, it’s important to identify the specific pests affecting your garden and use appropriate control methods, such as physical removal, row covers, and insecticidal sprays. Companion planting and encouraging beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, can also be an effective way to reduce pest populations.

Continue Reading…

• YouTube
• Instagram