Common Garden Pests and What to Do About Them
In this era of the pandemic, many people are picking up gardening as a hobby. This is a very worthwhile endeavor, but it brings about its own challenges. One of the hardest to deal with is pests.
You are likely to encounter garden pests no matter where you live. Many of the most common garden pests will even likely be the same. The hardiest pests can live in almost any environment. Whether you are new to gardening or had this hobby for years, you need to know the most common garden pests and how to combat them.
What is a Garden Pest?
First, let’s define a garden pest. A garden pest is any animal that negatively affects your garden. These pests could be from any species. For example, deer fencing are a major garden pest in some areas because they eat the green parts off of plants. Similarly, birds, rabbits, insects, moles, and voles are all garden pests.
Clearly, garden pest appearance and habit vary significantly. However, there is one defining characteristic of garden pests. They all negatively affect your garden by killing or eating plants, fruit, and vegetables.
A word of warning: Do not assume all animals in your garden are pests. Some animals are actually beneficial. Ladybugs are a good example of this. They eat aphids, which are garden pests. Similarly, bees may sting humans occasionally, but they are important pollinators. If you want a productive garden, you should leave the bees alone.
You put a lot of time and energy into your garden. Don’t let pests ruin all of your hard work. The tips in the following section can help you identify and treat garden pest infestations.
Common Garden Pests
The most common garden pests and their descriptions are listed below. This list should help you identify the pests attacking your garden. Once you know what pest is causing a problem, it will be easier to decide on a treatment plan.
Aphids
We’ve already mentioned aphids in this article. They are the primary food source for ladybugs. Aphids are extremely small and pear-shaped. They are a problem in the garden because they suck the sap out of leaves and stems. In large enough numbers aphids can kill many of the plants in your garden. They also tend to attract ants and bring fungal diseases to the garden.
Ants
Ants are a problem in many locations, including the garden. Many ant species enjoy building their nests in garden soil. It is tilled and airy, which makes it extremely attractive to ants. When ants build their nests in your rows, they can disturb plant roots. Lots of nests in the garden also siphon away water from your plants.
Colorado Potato Beetle
If you plant potatoes, you have likely come in contact with these annoying bugs. The adults are a hard-bodied beetle with yellow and black stripes down its back. Colorado Potato Beetles are extremely damaging to potato and other nightshade plants. The nymphs and adults eat the foliage, which can stunt the plant or even kill it. In large numbers, these pests can decimate a potato crop.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are not just a problem in your house. This invasive species is known as a plant feeder. They pierce the outside of a stem and then suck out the sap. As with many insect pests, stink bugs in large numbers can destroy your garden. They lay a lot of eggs quickly, which makes controlling them extremely difficult.
Voles
The only non-insect pest on this list is the vole. Voles are not related to moles, although they are both digging pests and have similar names. Voles are actually rodents. They look a lot like small mice. They love to tunnel through gardens and eat plant leaves and fruit. Even a single vole can cause significant damage to your plants.
How to Get Rid of Garden Pests
You may never completely get rid of garden pests. There are just too many of them. However, the following tips can help you control the population.
Use Insecticides.
Insecticide sprays are crucial in controlling insect garden pests. You can find sprays that exterminate a variety of pests. Make sure that whatever spray you use is not harmful to bees or other pollinators.
Use Traps.
Traps are another good way to control your garden pest population. They are especially helpful with larger pests like voles, moles, and other rodents. Live traps may work best for some pests. However, you can also find vole and mole traps that kill the pest.
Contact a Good Pest Control Company.
By far your best bet is to contact a good pest control company. They will help you develop the best treatment plan for the pests attacking your garden. Plus, they have access to the most modern products and techniques.
If you are looking for a great pest control company in your area, contact Fox Pest Control. With thirty branches throughout the country, we are likely to be in your local area. Let us exterminate those pests and help you get the garden of your dreams.
