No one wants to deal with pests in their garden, but it’s inevitable that at some point you will have to deal with them.
This article will teach you the different types of garden pests, how to identify them and some Salt Lake City pest control techniques that will keep your herb and fruit garden pest free.
Leaving you to enjoy your plants, fruits and vegetables without having to worry about them spoiling due to an infestation!
Common North American pests
The following are common pests that are found in North American lawns and gardens as well as some tips on how to identify each of them and eliminate them before they become a problem.
Aphids
Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects that can damage plants by sucking out their juice. They leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew, which can attract other pests or cause mold to grow on the plant.
You can get rid of aphids by attracting natural predators like ladybugs to your garden, which will eat the aphids.
Red Spider Mites
These tiny pests can cause a great deal of damage to plants by sucking out their juices, causing yellow mottling.
They tend to leave cobwebs behind on your plants. They can be eliminated by spraying the plants with a strong blast of water or by using organic methods such as insecticidal soap or horticultural oils.
Another method to get rid of these pests is to raise the humidity around your garden and use a biological control under glass.
Gall Mites
Gall mites are tiny pests that cause plants to form galls, or abnormal growths that include raised pimples or clumps of matted hairs on your plant leaves. These galls can be unsightly and can damage the plant.
Bagworm
Bagworms are the larval form of bagworm moths that attack trees and bushes such as evergreens. The larval spin silken bags around themselves and feed on the tree or bush they are attached to, slowly enlarging over time as the insect inside grows.
They can be controlled by pruning off the affected branches or picking them off your plants by hand and dropping them into soapy water or simply throwing them away with your trash.
Bagworms have a couple natural predators such as the wheel bug and insect-eating birds that will attack them even inside of their bags.
Leaf Miner
Leaf miners are the larvae forms of various insects that live and feed between the upper and lower layers of leaves. They cause damage to plants by tunneling through the leaves, which can make them appear blotchy or discolored.
The larvae can be controlled by using parasitic wasps or beneficial nematodes that will attack them.
You can also remove the affected leaves by hand and dispose of them so that the larvae don’t have a chance to mature.
For the most part, leaf miners cause minor damage and can be left untreated if you wish.
Codling Moth
The codling moth is a common fruit pest that attacks apples, pears, and other fruits. The larvae bore into the fruit and eat it from the inside out.
This can cause the fruit to rot on the tree or bush. The larvae can be controlled by using traps or by spraying the trees with an insecticide when they are in bloom.
The codling moth has a few natural predators such as the green lacewing, parasitic wasps, and birds that will eat them.
Winter Moth
If you live in an area where winter moths are a problem, you’ll need to take extra care to keep them from decimating your fruit crop.
These caterpillars are most active in late fall and early spring, when they can do the most damage to young fruit trees.
You can deter them by wrapping tree trunks in sticky bands, which will trap the caterpillars as they climb up to feed. You can also use pheromone traps to attract and capture adult moths before they have a chance to lay their eggs.
Tarnished Plant Bug
The tarnished plant bug is a common pest that attacks a wide variety of plants. The adults and nymphs suck the juices out of plants, causing them to wilt and discolor.
Scale insects
These are tiny blisters or shell-like bumps that can be found on plant leaves and stems. They secrete a sticky substance and sooty mold. Scale insects can be controlled by pruning off affected branches and using horticultural oils sprays
Whitefly
Whiteflies are small, white insects that attack a wide range of plants. They suck the plant juices, causing the plant to wilt and turn yellow.
Use a biological control, such as the intarsia wasp, on larvae and nymphs. For adults, you can use yellow sticky traps or insecticidal soap to get rid of them.
Thrips
Thrips are small, slender insects that feed on the juices of plants. They can cause damage to leaves, flowers, and fruits. Thrips are most likely to be found in greenhouses or gardens where there are a lot of flowers.
What can you do to prevent pests?
There are a few things you can do to prevent pests from becoming a problem in your garden, here are just a few you can start using today:
- Create a barrier between the plants and the pests. This can be done by using a physical barrier such as row covers or by using a chemical barrier such as an insecticide.
- Use organic methods to deter them. This can be done by using companion planting, which is placing certain plants next to each other that will repel pests or attract predators.
- Use Mulch, which is a layer of material placed on the ground around plants that will deter pests or help to retain moisture.
- Remove any fallen leaves or fruit that might attract pests. This will also help to keep your garden tidy and neat.
- Planting marigolds around your garden can help to deter pests.
- Using a mixture of water, vinegar and soap can help to get rid of many pests organically and citrus oils or onions can also be used as effective pest deterrents.
- A simple trick for keeping ants away is to mix equal parts sugar and borax and sprinkle it where you see the ants congregating.
- Traps such as beer traps or soda bottle traps can be used to catch pesky critters like slugs or snails.
- Some predators such as bugs or lizards can be helpful in controlling pest populations without the use of chemicals.
With a little effort, you can keep your herb and fruit garden pest free! By using some of these simple tips and tricks, you can enjoy your garden without the worry of pests ruining your plants.
When to call in the professionals to deal with pests
If you’re seeing a lot of insects or pests in your garden, or if they are causing damage to your plants, it’s probably time to call in the professionals. The same goes if you’re dealing with a rodent problem. Exterminators can help you get rid of the pests and keep them from coming back.
It’s important to remember that not all pest problems require professional help. Many can be dealt with using organic methods or by using traps and deterrents.
However, if the problem is too big or if you’re not sure how to deal with it, don’t hesitate to call your local pest control professionals!
Final Thoughts on Keeping your Lawn and Garden Pest Free
Pests can be a big problem for gardeners, but with a little effort, you can keep them from becoming a nuisance. There are many things you can do to prevent pests from taking over your gardens, such as using barriers, organic methods, and traps.
If the pest problem is too big or if you’re not sure how to deal with it, don’t hesitate to call a professional for assistance today!
