Identify and eliminate common garden pests
π Identify Your Garden Pest
Aphids
π Identification
- Tiny (1-3mm) soft-bodied insects
- Green, black, yellow, or white color
- Cluster on new growth and undersides of leaves
- Sticky honeydew residue on leaves
π± Plants Affected
Almost all vegetables, especially tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, beans
β οΈ Damage
- Curled, distorted leaves
- Stunted growth
- Spread viral diseases
- Attract ants
π Treatment Options
Spider Mites
π Identification
- Microscopic (0.5mm) – barely visible
- Red, yellow, or green color
- Fine webbing on leaves
- Thrive in hot, dry conditions
π± Plants Affected
Tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, strawberries, ornamentals
β οΈ Damage
- Yellow stippling on leaves
- Leaves turn bronze/brown
- Severe defoliation
- Plant death if untreated
π Treatment Options
Whiteflies
π Identification
- Tiny white flying insects (1-2mm)
- Congregate on leaf undersides
- Fly up in cloud when disturbed
- Sticky honeydew present
π± Plants Affected
Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, ornamentals
β οΈ Damage
- Yellowing leaves
- Stunted growth
- Sooty mold on honeydew
- Spread plant viruses
π Treatment Options
Caterpillars
π Identification
- Green, brown, or striped worms
- Various sizes (1-5cm)
- Visible on plants or soil
- Dark frass (droppings) present
π± Plants Affected
Cabbage family, tomatoes, peppers, corn, most vegetables
β οΈ Damage
- Large holes in leaves
- Entire leaves consumed
- Bore into fruits
- Can defoliate plants quickly
π Treatment Options
Slugs & Snails
π Identification
- Soft-bodied molluscs (1-8cm)
- Snails have shells, slugs don’t
- Silver slime trails visible
- Most active at night
π± Plants Affected
Lettuce, hostas, seedlings, strawberries, tender plants
β οΈ Damage
- Irregular holes in leaves
- Seedlings disappear overnight
- Slime trails on plants/ground
- Ragged leaf edges
π Treatment Options
Japanese Beetles
π Identification
- Metallic green/copper beetles (1cm)
- White tufts on sides
- Feed in groups during day
- Active June-August
π± Plants Affected
Roses, grapes, beans, raspberries, over 300 species
β οΈ Damage
- Skeletonized leaves (veins remain)
- Damaged flowers and fruits
- Heavy defoliation
- Attract more beetles
π Treatment Options
Powdery Mildew
π Identification
- White powdery coating on leaves
- Starts as small spots
- Spreads to cover entire leaf
- Thrives in humid conditions
π± Plants Affected
Squash, cucumbers, melons, roses, peas, beans
β οΈ Damage
- Reduced photosynthesis
- Yellowing leaves
- Stunted growth
- Premature leaf drop
π Treatment Options
Tomato Hornworm
π Identification
- Large (7-10cm) green caterpillar
- White diagonal stripes
- Red/black horn on rear
- Excellent camouflage
π± Plants Affected
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes (nightshade family)
β οΈ Damage
- Defoliates plants rapidly
- Eats entire leaves and stems
- Damages fruits
- Large dark droppings
π Treatment Options
Rabbits
π Identification
- Cleanly cut stems at 45Β° angle
- Plants eaten to ground level
- Small round droppings present
- Active dawn and dusk
π± Plants Affected
Lettuce, peas, beans, carrots, flowers, young plants
β οΈ Damage
- Seedlings disappear overnight
- Clean cuts on stems
- Entire rows eaten
- Bark stripped from trees
π Treatment Options
Deer
π Identification
- Ragged, torn edges (no upper teeth)
- Browse line at 4-6 feet
- Hoof prints visible
- Active at dawn/dusk
π± Plants Affected
Hostas, tulips, beans, lettuce, roses, fruit trees
β οΈ Damage
- Entire plants consumed
- Trampled garden beds
- Stripped tree bark
- Can destroy garden overnight
π Treatment Options
Squash Vine Borer
π Identification
- White larvae inside stems
- Sawdust-like frass at base
- Red/black adult moth
- Sudden plant wilting
π± Plants Affected
Squash, zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers, melons
β οΈ Damage
- Sudden wilting of vines
- Hollow stems
- Plant death
- Reduced harvest
π Treatment Options
Cutworms
π Identification
- Gray/brown caterpillars (2-4cm)
- Curl into C-shape when disturbed
- Found in soil near plants
- Active at night
π± Plants Affected
All seedlings, young transplants, especially tomatoes
β οΈ Damage
- Stems cut at soil level
- Seedlings topple over
- Found lying next to cut stem
- Attack at night
π Treatment Options
π‘οΈ Pest Prevention Strategies
π± Healthy Plants
Strong, healthy plants resist pests better. Provide proper water, nutrients, and sunlight. Stressed plants attract pests.
π Crop Rotation
Rotate plant families yearly. Breaks pest life cycles that overwinter in soil. Never plant same family in same spot 2 years in a row.
πΏ Companion Planting
Plant marigolds, nasturtiums, and herbs to repel pests. Basil near tomatoes deters hornworms. Onions repel aphids.
π± Row Covers
Use floating row covers to physically block pests. Especially effective for cabbage moths, beetles, and flying insects.
π§Ή Garden Hygiene
Remove dead leaves and plant debris promptly. Clean tools between plants. Pests and diseases hide in debris.
π Attract Beneficials
Plant flowers to attract ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory wasps. They eat aphids, mites, and caterpillars naturally.
π§ Water Properly
Water at soil level in morning. Wet foliage invites disease. Overwatering attracts slugs and promotes fungus.
π Inspect Regularly
Check plants weekly (daily during peak season). Catch problems early when easiest to control. Check leaf undersides!
πΎ Mulch Wisely
2-3″ organic mulch suppresses pests but avoid piling against stems. Keep 2″ gap around plant bases.
π Beneficial Insects – Your Garden Allies
Ladybugs
BeneficialEats: Aphids, mites, scale, mealybugs
Rate: Adults eat 50+ aphids/day!
Attract with: Dill, fennel, yarrow, tansy
Praying Mantis
BeneficialEats: Caterpillars, beetles, flies, aphids
Rate: Generalist predator, eats anything it can catch
Attract with: Diverse garden, tall grasses
Lacewings
BeneficialEats: Aphids, mites, thrips, mealybugs
Rate: Larvae eat 200+ aphids/week
Attract with: Angelica, coriander, dandelions
Parasitic Wasps
BeneficialEats: Caterpillars, aphids, whiteflies
Method: Lays eggs inside pest larvae
Attract with: Parsley, dill, yarrow, sweet alyssum