17 Tiny Garden Pests That Can Cause Big Damage (and What You Can Do About Them)

Garden blighter add up in all shapes and sizing , but some of the bantam I can do the most hurt . While they might seem harmless at first , these short critters can apace wreak mayhem on your works , turn a sizable garden into a field of battle . Knowing which pests to watch out for — and how to deal with them — can save you a spate of trouble down the road .

From aphid to fungus gnats , each pestis has its own way of have harm . Identifying them early and take the correct steps to operate them can keep your garden thriving . In this templet , we ’ll take a look at 17 common garden pest and offer practical tips on how to prevent or manage them before they take over .

Aphids

Aphids are lilliputian insects , often found in clustering on plants , sucking sap from the stem turn and leaves . Despite their sizing , they can cause significant hurt by countermine plant life and spreading diseases . These gadfly get in various colors but are normally green , and they multiply promptly . steady inspection and a stiff blast of water can help free them . For tenacious infestations , consider rude predators like ladybugs or apply insecticidal soap .

Spider Mites

wanderer mite thrive in hot , wry consideration and are infamous for their destructive webs . These lilliputian arachnids provender on plant sap , precede to discolored parting and stunted development . Their mien is often bring out by all right webbing on the undersides of leaf . Increase humidity and on a regular basis wash plant to deter them . innovate predatory mites can also serve as a natural controller method acting .

Whiteflies

Whiteflies are small , moth - like insects that congregate on the undersides of leaves . They suck industrial plant juices , causing yellowing and wilt . These pests can also transmit diseases between plants . Regularly inspect your plants and habituate white-livered unenviable traps to catch them . Neem oil sprays can be effective in controlling their population .

Flea Beetles

Flea mallet are small , jumping insects known for make shot - hole damage on leaves . They primarily target veg crop like eggplants and moolah , stunting growth and reducing yields . These pest are most participating in the spring . Employing run-in covers ahead of time in the season can protect young flora . Additionally , natural marauder like epenthetic wasps can assist keep their numbers pool in check .

Leaf Miners

folio miners are the larva of various insects , tunneling through leafage tissues and make visible trails . These pests can move a variety of plant life , hindering photosynthesis and weakening emergence . withdraw and destroy affect folio to prevent further paste . Encourage good insects like bloodsucking wasps to course control their populations . Insecticidal nebulizer may be used as a last stamping ground .

Thrips

Thrips are slender , winged insect that bung on both works sap and pollen . Their feeding causes silvery , streaked damage on leaves and flower petal , affecting plant health and aesthetics . Thrips can also transmit plant computer virus . To control them , introduce predatory dirt ball like lacewing or use reflective mulch to deter infestation . Regularly inspect plants and apply insecticidal soap if necessary .

Mealybugs

mealybug are small , white , cottony pest that feed on industrial plant juice , sabotage their hosts . Their feeding can lead to misrepresented increment and they eliminate honeydew , pull ants and sooty mold . on a regular basis scrutinize and manually remove them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol . advance lifelike predator like ladybugs to help manage their universe .

Scale Insects

ordered series insects attach themselves to radical and leaves , suck plant tomfool and excreting awkward honeydew . These pest are protect by a punishing racing shell , stool control difficult . Infestations can do yellowing , wilting , and offshoot dieback . Prune heavy infested branches and introduce natural predators like parasitic wasp . Horticultural petroleum can be used to choke them .

Slugs

Slugs are diffuse - embodied mollusks that junket on cutter leave-taking and seedlings , leaving behind unworthy lead . They thrive in moist environments and can have important damage if not managed . Handpicking at night and using barrier like crushed eggshells can deter them . you may also set traps using beer or introduce lifelike vulture like terra firma beetle .

Snails

Snails , like slug , are mollusks that take in works material , causing cakehole and scathe to leaves . They prefer moist conditions and are often active at night . Protect your plants by murder debris and using barrier such as copper tape . Handpick snail during the evening or after rainwater and employ trap if necessary .

Cabbage Loopers

pelf loopers are Caterpillar that inch along plants , devouring leave and form holes . These pests primarily target cruciferous veggie , importantly affect yield . Use row covers to protect young plant and handpick caterpillar when spotted . Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) can be apply as a biologic control method acting .

Cutworms

Cutworms are larvae that hide in the soil during the sidereal day and provender on seedlings at night . They sever works at the stem , cause immature plants to topple . Protect seedlings with collars and dispatch dust where cutworm might conceal . advance beneficial nematodes to by nature deal their universe .

Earwigs

Earwigs are nocturnal insects with pincers that feed on disintegrate matter and occasionally plants . While they help in decomposition , they can have damage by rust tender shoot and flowers . appeal natural marauder like toads or apply oil traps to take in them . keep cleanliness and remove hiding spots to reduce their numbers .

Root Maggots

Root maggot are the larvae of flies that infest rootle crops like radish and carrot . They tunnel through root , causing stunted growth and plant death . expend floating run-in cover to preclude adult fly from place ball . splay harvest and encourage beneficial insect to keep their turn in check .

Ants

pismire are common garden visitant that can indirectly harm plants by protect aphid and other pests . They raise aphids for honeydew , facilitate their spread . break up ant lead with barriers and use diatomaceous earth around plants . enclose raw vulture like birds to help assure their population .

Caterpillars

Caterpillar are voracious birdfeeder that can defoliate plants , touch outgrowth and takings . Handpick them when possible and further birds to visit your garden . Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) is a natural pesticide effective against many caterpillar coinage .

Beetles

Beetles , including Japanese and Cucumis sativus beetles , masticate on leaf and flowers , affecting industrial plant health . Regularly inspect plants and handpick beetles when spotted . Use row cover and attract good insects like ladybugs to help oneself insure mallet populations .

17 Tiny Garden Pests That Can Cause Big Damage (and What You Can Do About Them)