The Top 10 Garden Pests and How to Control Them
By Amelia Haycock
Author bio: Amelia Haycock is an avid blogger and keen gardener, merging her love for writing and nature in her captivating blog posts. Her passion for gardening is palpable in her insightful and practical advice, which appeals to both gardening novices and experienced green thumbs. Her goal is to inspire her readers to cultivate thriving gardens and to face gardening challenges with enthusiasm and confidence.
As summer temperatures soar, you can face the challenge of keeping your beloved plants healthy and thriving in your raised beds. Heat stress can be detrimental to plants, causing wilting, leaf scorch, and even death. However, with the right strategies in place, you can shield your plants from excessive heat and ensure their well-being. In this article, we will explore effective methods to protect your plants from heat!
Aphids
These tiny, yet destructive, creatures are a common sight in many gardens, notorious for their voracious appetite for plant sap. This infestation results in wilting, yellowing of leaves, and stunted growth - the gardener's nightmare. While they pose a formidable challenge, there are solutions. Nature itself provides one of the most effective - beneficial insects such as ladybirds and hoverflies are natural predators of aphids. By cultivating plants that attract these helpful allies, you can establish a self-regulating ecosystem in your garden. If you prefer a more hands-on approach, a homemade solution of soft soap and water, when sprayed directly onto the plants, is disruptive to aphids and helps to control their population.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails, the gardener's bane, are known for their insatiable hunger for tender leaves and stems, leaving behind a slimy trail of destruction. However, they are not unbeatable. One tried and tested strategy involves barriers. A perimeter of crushed eggshells or copper tape around your raised garden beds can serve as an effective deterrent, the jagged edges and natural electric charge respectively uncomfortable for these pests. For a more substantial infestation, consider using a pet-safe slug pellet - a reliable solution that will put a halt to their relentless feeding, or a raised bed as well.
Vine Weevil
Vine weevils are a silent menace. Adult weevils chew holes in leaves, while their larvae attack roots, potentially causing severe damage to your precious plants. In the war against these pests, nematodes are a gardener's secret weapon. These microscopic worms, when watered into the soil, seek out vine weevil larvae and provide an organic and environmentally-friendly solution to control the weevil population.
Cabbage White Caterpillars
A primary threat to your cabbage and other brassicas, these pests, if left unchecked, can reduce your plants to skeletal remains in no time. Regularly inspecting your plants and picking off caterpillars by hand can be an effective method for small-scale infestations. For larger invasions, you might consider employing a biological control like Bacillus thuringiensis, a naturally occurring bacteria that is deadly to caterpillars but harmless to beneficial insects, ensuring a healthy balance in your garden ecosystem.
Whitefly
Whiteflies, tiny white insects barely visible to the naked eye, can sap the life out of your plants. They thrive by sucking sap, seriously weakening plants and causing a sticky residue that encourages mould. Encouraging predators like lacewings and ladybirds can act as a natural control method. Alternatively, yellow sticky traps are excellent at catching whiteflies, reducing their population. Regular sprays of insecticidal soap, derived from natural ingredients, can further help to keep these pesky insects at bay.
Red Spider Mites
These minute mites, despite their small size, can cause outsized problems in your garden. Red spider mites feed off plants, causing mottling and discolouration on leaves, and thrive in hot, dry conditions. Increasing humidity levels can make your garden less inviting for these pests. For a biological solution, consider using Phytoseiulus persimilis, a predatory mite that feeds on red spider mites, effectively reducing their population.
Squirrels
Despite their endearing appearance, squirrels can cause significant damage to your garden. They are infamous for digging up bulbs and raiding bird feeders, causing havoc in your carefully tended garden. Investing in a squirrel-proof bird feeder can help save your bird seed for the intended recipients. To protect your bulbs, consider covering your raised garden beds with chicken wire, creating a physical barrier to thwart their digging efforts.
Foxes
Foxes are known for their cunning and can cause a real mess in your garden, digging up plants and even making dens. Installing an ultrasonic repeller can be a simple and effective way to deter them. This device emits a sound that's unpleasant to foxes but undetectable to humans, ensuring your garden remains a peaceful haven for you while discouraging unwanted fox visitors.
Read more: What To Fill Raised Garden Bed With?
Mice and Rats
Rodents can be a serious issue in gardens, especially in compost heaps where they can breed rapidly. Using sealed compost bins and rodent-proof chicken wire can help keep these pests under control. However, if the infestation becomes serious, professional help may be needed. Always remember, prevention is better than cure, so keep a watchful eye on potential nesting sites.
Deer
Deer, with their insatiable appetite for garden plants, can wreak havoc in a garden overnight. The easiest method of control is to plant deer-resistant species, though a hungry deer is known to eat almost anything. For a more permanent solution, invest in a sturdy fence. Not only does this protect your garden from deer, but it also serves as a barrier against other large pests, safeguarding your garden sanctuary.
Conclusion
In the face of more severe pest problems, or if you're dealing with a pest not listed here, the situation may call for professional assistance. The Busters Group comes highly recommended. Backed by years of experience, they offer expert services that are both effective and environmentally friendly, that’s something us here at Vegega can get on board with! They offer customised solutions that cater to the specific needs of your garden, employing non-toxic solutions whenever possible to ensure the safety of your family and local wildlife. You can also rely on their exceptional customer service, with a dedicated team known for swift responses and a friendly approach. Don't let your garden fall victim to pests - with the right help, you can reclaim your green oasis. Click this website for more information on their expert services today!
