Fall gardens can be a great way to enjoy your outdoor space and enjoy the bounty of nature and delicious homegrown vegetables, fruits and herbs. Unfortunately, pests and bugs that frequent gardens can bring your harvest dreams to a halt. This article will take a look at the 6 bugs that are most likely to ruin your fall garden, and what you can do about them.
1. Aphids
Aphids are one of the biggest threats to a fall garden and can ruin your plants in no time at all. These tiny insects feed on the sap of the plant, which weakens the plant, and can transmit diseases. Common signs of an aphid infestation are wilting and stunted plant growth, as well as misshapen leaves and flowers. Fortunately, aphids can be controlled with a wide range of treatments, like insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, and insect-resistive plants.
How to Treat Aphids
Creating the right environment, and introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs can go a long way in treating and eliminating aphid infestations. It is also possible to remove the infested portions of the plant and dispose of it.
Prevention
Preventing an aphid infestation can be done by providing plants with enough space and light, as aphids like to live in the shadows. Spraying with neem oil or introducing predatory insects are strategies to further prevent the spread of aphids.
2. Cabbage Worms
Another insect that can ruin your fall garden is cabbage worms, which can cause severe damage to your cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kale. Cabbage worms feed on the plant leaves or burrow underneath the surface of the plant and cause yellow spots on the leaves.
How to Treat Cabbage Worms
The best way to treat cabbage worms is to use biological controls like Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. Bt is an all-natural bacteria which kills the worms but not the plant or other beneficial insects. You can also introduce beneficial insects like green lacewings or hoverflies, which are natural predators of the cabbage worm.
Prevention
Prevention is key for cabbage worms and can be done by planting strong varieties that are resistant to their attacks and monitoring the garden for their presence. Covering your plants with floating row cover is also an effective preventative measure.
3. Slugs
Slugs can be one of the most destructive bugs in a fall garden. These pests feed on a variety of plants and can cause major damage to your garden if left unchecked. Slugs leave behind trails of slime and can cause the plant leaves to become spotted, wilted or distorted.
How to Treat Slugs
The most effective way to get rid of slugs is to use baited traps, which can be homemade or store-bought. These traps work by enticing the slugs into a container with a bait like beer or yeast, then trapping them.
Prevention
Prevention is always the best remedy for slugs, and there are several ways to do so. Placing diatomaceous earth around the base of your plants, handpicking them off your plants and using beneficial nematodes are all good preventive measures.
4. Squash Bugs
Squash bugs are another common garden pest that can wreak havoc on a fall garden. These bugs feed on squash and other related plants, sucking out their juices and leaving behind a wispy, silvery substance. They can also transmit diseases and cause stunted growth in your plants.
How to Treat Squash Bugs
The best way to treat squash bugs is to practice integrated pest management, or IPM. IPM focuses on managing pests and diseases by using cultural, biological and chemical methods to reduce the amount of chemicals used in the garden. Handpicking, growing resistant varieties, and introducing beneficial insects are all good IPM practices.
Prevention
Preventing a squash bug infestation is much easier than treating it. Planting plants that are resistant to their infestations, keeping plants healthy and monitoring for their presence are all good preventive measures.
5. Spider Mites
Spider mites are a common garden pest that can cause severe damage to a variety of plants. They feed on the sap of the plant, leaving behind a telltale web-like residue and small yellow or white spots. Spider mites can also transmit diseases and cause wilting and stunted growth.
How to Treat Spider Mites
The best way to treat spider mites is with an insecticide that contains Neem oil or pyrethrins. These insecticides can be applied directly to the plant or to the soil around the plant.
Prevention
Fortunately, spider mites can be easily prevented with a few simple strategies. Keeping your plants healthy and free of stress, introducing beneficial insects, and providing adequate air circulation are all good preventive measures.
6. Cutworms
Cutworms are a pesky bug that can wreak havoc on a fall garden. These caterpillars feed on the stem, root and leaves of plants, leaving behind a telltale cut or notch. They can cause stunted or deformed growth and can quickly spread out of control if not taken care of.
How to Treat Cutworms
The best way to get rid of cutworms is to handpick them off your plants and destroy them. Alternatively, you can use an insecticide, such as Bt, to treat the infestation.
Prevention
Taking preventative steps can go a long way in preventing a cutworm infestation. Planting strong varieties that are resistant to their attacks, maintaining healthy soil, and monitoring the garden for their presence are all good preventive measures.
People Also Ask
How do you prevent bugs in the garden?
Preventing the presence of bugs in the garden can be done by removing weeds and debris, introducing beneficial insects, mulching and keeping the garden healthy.
How do you get rid of garden bugs naturally?
Getting rid of garden bugs naturally can be done by introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs, using insecticidal soap, planting insect-resistant varieties, and spraying neem oil.
What is the best bug killer for garden?
The best bug killer for the garden is an insecticide that contains neem oil or pyrethrins, as these are all-natural ingredients that are safe for the environment.
How do I stop bugs from eating my plants?
Stopping bugs from eating your plants can be done by creating the right environment, introducing beneficial insect, using an insecticide, and providing adequate air circulation.
What are the best plants for blocking bugs?
The best plants for blocking bugs are lavender, rosemary, sage, chives, mint, and marigold, as all of these are known to have insect-repelling properties.
Final Words
Pests and bugs can cause a lot of damage to a fall garden, but with some preventative steps, you can make sure your garden is free of unwanted critters. Doing simple things like covering your plants