Garden Pests
Garden pests are organisms that damage plants or reduce harvests. Learning to identify both the pest and the type of damage is more useful than immediately applying a pesticide.
Common Garden Pests
Common pests include aphids, caterpillars, beetles, slugs, snails, spider mites, whiteflies, squash bugs, cutworms, and thrips.
The actual pests found in a garden depend on location, crop, and season.
Learn to Recognize Damage
Chewed leaves may indicate caterpillars or beetles. Sticky residue can be associated with sap-feeding insects such as aphids. Distorted growth may have several causes.
Look closely at the plant before deciding what is responsible.
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated pest management begins with identification and monitoring. Determine whether the damage is significant enough to require intervention.
Possible controls include hand removal, barriers, sanitation, cultural practices, beneficial organisms, biological controls, and carefully selected pesticides.
Beneficial Insects
Not every insect is harmful. Lady beetles, lacewings, predatory insects, and pollinators can provide valuable services.
Avoid killing beneficial insects simply because they are present.
When to Intervene
Some minor damage is tolerable, particularly when plants continue growing normally. Intervention becomes more important when pests threaten young plants, reduce harvests significantly, or spread disease.
Inspect the Whole Plant
When you see damage, inspect:
- Upper leaf surfaces
- Undersides of leaves
- Stems
- New growth
- Flowers
- Fruit
- Soil around the plant
Small pests can hide in protected locations.
Match Damage to Likely Causes
| Damage | Possible causes |
|---|---|
| Large irregular holes | Caterpillars, beetles, slugs |
| Small holes | Flea beetles or other small feeders |
| Sticky leaves | Sap-feeding insects |
| Fine webbing | Spider mites |
| Distorted new growth | Aphids or other causes |
| Severed seedlings | Cutworms or other pests |
These are clues rather than definitive diagnoses.
Monitor Before Treating
Inspect plants regularly and determine whether pest numbers are actually increasing. A few insects may cause little meaningful damage, while a rapidly growing population may require intervention.
Physical Controls
Hand-picking, row covers, netting, collars, and barriers can be effective for many situations.
Pesticides
If a pesticide is necessary, identify the target first and read the product label carefully. Use the minimum effective approach and follow all legal and safety directions.
Protect Beneficial Organisms
Broad, unnecessary treatments can harm pollinators and natural enemies of pests. Good pest management considers the entire garden ecosystem.
Conclusion
Garden Pests is a skill that becomes easier with practice. Use the principles in this guide as a foundation, observe how they apply in your own garden, and adjust your approach as you gain experience.