Have you ever looked at your plants in horror and thought, “What is THAT?” Chances are, it’s some sort of pest. But not all pests are created equal. Understanding the heroes and villains of your garden is essential to the well-being of your crops, plants, and garden as a whole.
As such, it’s important to know which pests are harming your garden and which ones are helping.
Experts say that there are some pests that are actually good for your plants and crops that you should consider introducing into your garden (or rather, not squashing if you happen to see them crawling around). “Attracting beneficial insects to your garden such as predators and parasitoids — natural enemies — will provide biocontrol services on your desirable plants,” says Adam Baker, technical advisor for the Davey Institute per Martha Stewart.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, bees, butterflies, flies, and moths can help to pollinate a garden and should be left in peace if you see them. In addition, insects like ladybugs, praying mantises, and different kinds of larvae are pivotal in eliminating pests that can actually harm your plants and should also be left alone.
If you’re not sure what kind of pest you’re dealing with, you can rely on sources like The Bugwood Insect Images to identify what you’re looking at and if it’s helpful or harmful.
If you’ve discovered that your garden has been infested by harmful pests, worry not–there’s always a way to get rid of them. According to Scout Pest Control, “A pest-free garden means healthier plants, better growth, and an outdoor space. By keeping pests at bay, you can ensure vibrant flowers and vegetables and less worry about bites or damage. ”Keep reading for help in identifying some of the most common garden pests and share exactly how to rid your plants of them.
1. Japanese Beetles
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Japanese beetles love a summer garden: roses, perennial hibiscus, raspberry bushes, and really any fruit tree. These beetles will feed on the leaves, flowers, or fruit of more than 300 species of plants, according to The University of Minnesota. They’re a relatively large-sized beetle, meaning they’re easy to identify. Some of the best ways to get rid of them include using pesticides, making a beetle trap, attracting natural predators, or spraying nematodes, according to gardening expert Julie Martens Forney for HGTV.
2. Aphids
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Aphids are quite small, but when they’re in groups, they’re easy to spot. Aphids also leave a sticky substance on leaves or stems and can make leaves curl or yellow. To get rid of aphids, you can spray them with water, use insecticidal soap, douse the leaves in neem or essential oils, or consider introducing natural predators such as ladybugs.
3. Adult Vine Weevil
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These flightless, nocturnal beetles are easy to identify, leaving notches in leaves in their paths. If you notice these notches, you should act quickly so as to rid the plant of the pests. Kristi Waterworth, per Gardening Know How, says that the best way to do so is actually just by flicking them off since they’re large enough to do so.
If this isn’t quite your speed, you can also use nematodes, traps, or insecticidal sprays.
4. Cabbage Looper Caterpillar
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Cabbage Looper Caterpillars have quite the appetite. As such, they will quickly and vigorously eat through your plants and leave large, gaping holes in the leaves. The most effective method to get rid of them is to use a spray containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a naturally occurring bacteria that is specifically toxic to this kind of caterpillar.
5. Mealybugs
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Mealybugs can be difficult to identify when they’re on their own. But when in groups, they’ll look like large clusters of cotton. Mealybugs like to hide in the nooks and crannies of leaves, feeding off of the plant juices, which are brand-new leaves.
According to The Spruce, the most effective way to get rid of Mealybugs is with insecticidal soap, neem oil, and a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water.
6. Red Spider Mites
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Red Spider Mites can also be difficult to identify due to how tiny they are. According to BBC Gardeners’ World, If you find yellow spots or streaks on your plants, chances are that red spider mites are the culprits. One of the best ways to eradicate red spider mites is by increasing the humidity around your plant, as these pests thrive in dry conditions.
You can do so by buying a humidifier or misting your plant with water.
7. Leaf Miners
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According to Garden Design, “A leaf miner is not a singular kind of insect, but refers to larvae produced by insects from several different families that burrow and feed within the tissue layers of leaves.” They are perhaps some of the easiest pests to identify, as they leave a unique and distinguishable blotchy trail on the leaves in their track. They don’t damage your plant much, but it’s best to get rid of them.
You can do so by removing the leaves they’ve damaged or by using neem oil and sticky traps.
8. Thrips
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Thrips, also known as “thunder flies,” will leave white patches on whatever plants they’ve invaded. You can get rid of them by simply cleaning them off your plants or by spraying them with insecticides. You can make a concoction of dish soap, vinegar, and isopropyl alcohol and spray your plant with them to rid it of the thrip.
9. Grasshoppers
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Grasshoppers are ravenous, insatiable pests that will eat through whatever they can in your garden, including leaves, plants, flowers, and vegetables. Gardening expert Megan Hughes, per Better Homes & Gardens, says one of the most effective ways to rid the grasshoppers from your garden is by introducing bluebirds, toads, snakes, or any natural predators of a grasshopper.
You can also use a variety of sprays, insecticides, or traps to save your plants.
10. Cucumber Beetle
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Cucumber beetles have an appetite for melons, zucchini, squash, and, of course, cucumbers. Their yellow and black stripes make them easy to spot and identify. They will also leave holes throughout the leaves, which is another way to tell if they’re stacking on your plants. Rid your garden of these pests by using sticky traps, sprays, or floating row covers to block beetles from reaching plants, per the University of Minnesota.
11. Flea Beetle
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Flea beetles will leave large holes throughout your plants, making their presence quite known. Like fleas, these beetles are small and hop around quickly. You can prevent flea beetles from taking over your plants by planting strongly scented plants such as catnip, sage, or mint. Insecticidal sprays work well in ridding your plants of this pest, as well.
12. Cutworm
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Cutworms are the larvae of several varieties of moths. They feed on the stems of young plants, cutting them down (hence the name).
There are a few unique and clever ways of preventing cutworms from taking over your garden, such as turning the soil so as to disrupt larvae, using diatomaceous earth, watering your lawn in the morning, and using cardboard collars around plants to protect your plants from pests.
13. Squash Bug
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Often mistaken for stink bugs, squash bugs are some of the most destructive pests to gardens. You’ll be able to tell if squash bugs are present if you see small white dots present on the leaves. These dots, which can turn leaves yellow or brown, cause leaves to appear tattered. The best way to keep squash bugs from your garden is by planting vegetation that is resistant to them, such as butternut, royal acorn, and sweet cheese.
