Garden Pest Tips

Garden pests come in many forms.

Pests that cause damage in gardens can be as varied as the plants that grow there. If your plants are chewed up or dying, a number of culprits could be to blame. The first step is always to identify the pests, then you can start thinking about how to get rid of them.

Aphids

Aphids are among the most common garden pests. They are small and generally greenish or yellowish-black. They feed on plants by draining their juices through their strawlike mouthparts. Ladybugs feed on aphids, and adding ladybugs to your garden can help to control them. You can also spray your plants with insecticidal soap.

Snails and Slugs

Slugs and snails are often dormant during the day, emerging at night to feed on the leaves of tender young plants. If you suspect you have a slug or snail problem, lay down boards or sheets of newspaper near your plants. The slugs and snails will hide under them during the day and you can remove them by hand.

Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles are damaging as larvae and as adults. Feeding on the leaves of many garden flowers and vegetables, these beetles can be treated in a number of ways. A bacterium called Bacillus popilliae Dutky can be used to kill the larvae. If you have adult Japanese beetles, the most effective control is to pick them off the plants by hand (be sure to look under leaves) and place them in a jar of soapy water.

References

• Purdue University: Garden Tips: Insects, Pests and Diseases
• University of California-Davis: Pests in Gardens and Landscapes
• Pennsylvania State University: How to Treat Common Garden Pests