Got a garden pest problem?
You’re not alone.
Discover the 9 worst garden pests and how to deal with them. We’ll show you proven methods that work.
Ready to protect your garden?
Let’s get started!
1. Aphids
Aphids are tiny, but they can do big damage. They love munching on your plants and sucking out the sap.
You can spot them hanging out in clusters on leaves and stems.
- Proven method: Blast them off with a strong stream of water. If that’s not cutting it, whip up a mix of water and a few drops of dish soap, and spray it on the affected plants.
2. Slugs and Snails
These slimy creatures will munch on your plants, especially at night. They love damp and shady spots, so they can be tricky to spot.
- Proven method: Sprinkle crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around your plants. This stuff’s sharp and will deter them.
Or, set out a dish of beer; they’re attracted to it and will drown.
3. Japanese Beetles
These pests have a shiny, metallic look and love ruining your flowers and foliage. Plus, their grubs munch on the roots underground.
- Proven method: Handpick and drop them into soapy water. You can also try using traps, but place them far from garden beds to avoid attracting even more beetles.
4. Tomato Hornworms
These big, green caterpillars can strip your tomato plants of leaves in no time. They’re camouflaged, so look closely!
- Proven method: Pick them off by hand. If that’s too icky, introduce beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that will take care of them for you.
5. Whiteflies
These tiny white insects can cause a lot of trouble by sucking on plant juices and leaving a sticky residue, which can lead to mold.
- Proven method: Use yellow sticky traps to catch them. You can also make a homemade spray with water and dish soap to knock them down.
6. Cutworms
Cutworms love to chop down seedlings right at the base, causing your young plants to topple over and die.
- Proven method: Place collars made from cardboard or aluminum foil around the stems of your young plants to stop these night-crawling nuisances.
7. Spider Mites
These tiny pests can cause big issues, leaving behind yellow spots and fine webs on your plant leaves.
- Proven method: Spray your plants with a strong jet of water to dislodge them. For persistent issues, try neem oil or insecticidal soap.
8. Cabbage Loopers
These green larvae love munching on cabbage and related plants, causing lots of damage to the leaves.
- Proven method: Use row covers to physically block them out or introduce natural predators like birds into your garden.
9. Squash Bugs
Squash bugs can cause wilting and even kill your squash plants by sucking out the juices and spreading diseases.
- Proven method: Handpick and drop them into soapy water. Also, look for and remove their egg clusters found on the underside of leaves.