If your home has a yard, you’re likely dealing with insects. After all, the Smithsonian estimates there are about 91,000 species of bugs in the US.
But there’s a big difference between eagerly identifying a newly-found insect and wanting to solve a household pest problem.
Fortunately, it’s possible to avoid infestations by dealing with common garden pests before they cause a problem. By identifying a few of the most common garden pests, you can protect your turf, your landscaping, and your family.
Here are a few bugs to watch for and what you can do about them.
Different Types of Garden Pests and How To Deal With Them
There are a variety of garden pests that can wreak havoc on your plants and vegetables. Luckily, you can do a few things to help control these pests.
1. Aphids
One of the most common garden pests is the aphid. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can be white, green, or black. They feed on the sap of plants, which can cause leaves to wilt and distort.
Aphids can also transmit diseases from one plant to another. There are many ways to control aphids, including using beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, or spraying the plants with water.
2. Caterpillars
Another common garden pest is the caterpillar. Caterpillars are the larvae of moths and butterflies, and they can devour leaves very quickly.
To control caterpillars, you can handpick them from plants and put them in soapy water, or you can use biological control, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (BT), which is a bacteria that kills caterpillars.
3. Earwigs
Earwigs are small, dark insects that are often found in gardens and can do a lot of damage to plants. They are most active at night and hide in cracks and crevices during the day.
If you find earwigs in your garden, you can use a pesticide. You can also try to trap them by putting a piece of cardboard or paper under a plant and then checking it in the morning.
4. Gophers and Voles
Gophers and Voles are common garden pests that are difficult to deal with. They can cause damage to your plants and garden by burrowing and eating the roots of your plants.
There are a few things that you can do to try and deter them from your gardens, such as using traps or baits. You can also try to create a barrier around your garden with wire mesh or netting. If you find them in your garden, the best thing to do is remove them manually.
If you’re having trouble removing these critters from your garden, click here for gophers and other pest control.
5. Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are common garden pests that can do a lot of damage to plants. They feed on leaves and can make holes in fruits and vegetables.
To control slugs and snails, you can use barriers around the plants, such as copper tape or eggshells. You can also put out bait, such as cornmeal or stale beer,
Fight These Garden Pests ASAP
Many gardeners have to deal with garden pests at some point. These pests can cause a lot of damage to your plants. However, you can do a few things to help control these pests. You can use traps to control the bigger pests, and use insecticidal soap to control most invertebrates.
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