Whether you are new to gardening or have been a gardener for years, you probably know how important it is to keep your garden free from pests. They can eat the fruits and vegetables you love, so it is important that you take precautions to avoid them. Pests tend to come in large numbers at this time of year, so it is best to be prepared. Here are 4 of the most common pests that you will come face to face with while tending to your garden.
One of the first pests you will likely come across is aphids. Aphids feed on a wide variety of plants, including roses, peppers, melons, and even onions. They may appear as tiny white bugs, but they are actually quite resilient and persistent. If you notice your garden is overrun by these pests, you may need to apply a special insecticide. In addition to killing the aphids, this treatment will also deter future insects from eating your other plants.
Another common pest is scale insects. These pests do not eat plants but rather transfer their eggs to plants that they feed on. They usually are found in grassy areas and will often scale the plant’s leaves. Their young will grow into adults, and soon there will be a lot of scales on your garden because the leaves will be growing much shorter. You may have to apply a solution of insecticide to prevent these young insects from growing into adults. This method is more effective if you have already sprayed other areas of your lawn.
While many people are turned off by termites, it is often the case that other insects may be attacking your plantings as well. One of the most destructive is ants, which can destroy entire plantings. However, ants aren’t the only insect you should worry about. You should also be concerned about bees and wasps. Although these insects aren’t as destructive as other types of insects, they can cause severe damage to your plantings.
The third type of pest to address is fungus gnats. These gnats will attach themselves to your plant’s leaves and produce a slimy tape-like covering on the leaf that looks like raffia. While the material produced may be harmless to your plant, it is the sticky quality that makes it such a nuisance. You will need to remove all of these gnats that are infesting your plants before you can regrow them.
Your fourth type of pest to deal with is viruses. Viruses can infect plants by attaching themselves to your leaves and producing a rash or other type of reaction that affects the leaves. If you notice that your leaves are starting to appear to have a rash, it may be worth it to purchase an organic pest control product.
Your fifth and final option is fungus-like fungi. These fungi may appear on your plant leaves as tiny white spots. Once they attach themselves, however, the spots will turn a yellowish color. These fungi will produce a waxy substance on the undersides of your leaves that is not at all attractive to humans, but the truth is that these fungi will destroy your plant from the inside out unless you take action.
In order to keep your plants safe and healthy from the many common pests that affect them, it is important to remember that there is more than one type of pest that can attack your particular plant. You must take steps in order to prevent an infestation from occurring. However, you also need to be prepared to deal with one if one should occur. As with any kind of pest control, prevention is the best method to ensure that the pests do not become a huge problem for your garden. While it may be tempting to pull your plants completely, the safest way to defend against these kinds of insects is to simply give your plants the proper food and water to survive.
