Garden pests can be bad for several reasons. They can cause damage to plants by feeding on leaves, stems, roots, flowers, and fruit, which can reduce plant growth and yield. They can also transmit diseases that can further weaken or kill the plants. Moreover, when pests are not controlled, they can multiply quickly and spread to other plants in your garden, as well as to your neighbors' gardens, which can lead to a larger infestation that is more difficult and costly to control. Some common garden pests found in East Texas include aphids, armyworms, cutworms, whiteflies, spider mites and mealy bugs.
Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that can be green, yellow, brown, orange or black. They are typically found on the undersides of leaves and can cause leaves to curl and become discolored. Aphids excrete a substance known as honeydew and a good way to identify an aphid problem is if you notice large shrubs and trees profusely "weeping". While a small amount of sap is expected to "weep" from some trees and shrubs, an over-abundance could actually be large amounts of aphid honeydew.
Armyworms are the larval stage of certain species of moths, typically those in the genus Mythimna and Spodoptera. They are called "armyworms" because they can occur in large numbers and move in coordinated "armies" across a field or garden, eating all vegetation in their path.
Armyworms are usually green or brown in color and can grow to be about 1-2 inches long. They have a distinct head capsule and three pairs of true legs behind the head. They can be found on the leaves of plants, and they can cause significant damage by eating large holes in the leaves, stripping plants of their foliage, and even eating the fruit.
Armyworms are particularly fond of grasses and cereal crops, but they can also be found on vegetables, fruit trees, and ornamental plants. They can be found in gardens and fields, and are a problem in many parts of the world.
Cutworms are the larval stage of certain species of moths, typically those in the family Noctuidae. They get their name from their habit of cutting off young plants at the soil level, which can kill seedlings or young plants. They are typically brown or gray in color and can grow to be about 1-2 inches long. They have a distinct head capsule and three pairs of true legs behind the head.
Cutworms are typically active at night and hide in the soil during the day.
They can be found in the soil around plants and can cause damage by cutting off seedlings at the base, or by climbing up and eating leaves, stems, and fruit. They can be found on vegetables, fruit trees, and ornamental plants. They are a common pest in gardens and fields, and are a problem in many parts of the world.
Whiteflies are small, white, moth-like insects that belong to the family Aleyrodidae. They are typically about 1-2 millimeters long and have a pair of wings, giving them the ability to fly. They can be found on the undersides of leaves and they feed on plant sap which can cause yellowing of leaves and reduced plant growth. Whiteflies are common pests of many plants, including vegetable crops, fruit trees, and ornamental plants.
One of the characteristic signs of whitefly infestation is the presence of small, white, flying insects around the leaves of the affected plants. In addition, the leaves may turn yellow, wilt, or become distorted, and the plants may grow poorly. Whiteflies also produce a sticky honeydew that can attract ants and sooty mold.
Whiteflies can be difficult to control because they reproduce quickly and can develop resistance to pesticides. Control methods include using sticky traps, using beneficial insects such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, and using certain pesticides.
Spider mites are small, eight-legged arachnids that belong to the family Tetranychidae. They are typically red or yellow in color and are about 1-2 millimeters long, so they can be difficult to see with the naked eye. They can be found on the undersides of leaves, and they feed on plant sap, which can cause stippling or discoloration of leaves, and webbing on plants.
Spider mites are common pests of many plants, including vegetable crops, fruit trees, and ornamental plants. One of the characteristic signs of spider mite infestation is the presence of small, red or yellow, moving dots on the leaves of the affected plants. In addition, the leaves may turn yellow, wilt, or become distorted, and the plants may grow poorly. Spider mites also produce a fine webbing on the leaves or in the axils of the plant.
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects that belong to the family Pseudococcidae. They are typically covered with a white, waxy substance that gives them a "mealy" appearance. They can be found on a wide range of plants, including indoor and outdoor plants, and they can cause damage by feeding on plant sap.
To identify mealybugs, you can look for their characteristic white, waxy appearance and their small size (typically about 3-4 millimeters long). They can be found on the leaves, stems, and fruits of plants and they tend to congregate in clusters, they can also be found under the leaves and in the axils of the plant. They move relatively slow and are not very active.
There are several ways to control garden pests, including:
Cultural control: This involves using proper gardening techniques such as crop rotation, proper irrigation and fertilization, and maintaining healthy soil to create an environment that is less conducive to pests.
Biological control: This involves using natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to control pests. For example, ladybugs are a natural predator of aphids, and parasitic wasps can control caterpillars.
Mechanical control: This involves physically removing pests from plants using methods such as handpicking, trapping, or using sticky barriers.
Chemical control: This involves using pesticides to control pests. Pesticides can include insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. It's important to use pesticides wisely and only when necessary, and to follow the label instructions carefully.
Integrated pest management (IPM): This is an approach that uses a combination of these methods to control pests in an environmentally-friendly way. It involves monitoring pest populations, identifying pests, and selecting the most appropriate and least-toxic control method.
Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages, and the best approach will depend on the specific pests and plants you are dealing with.
Some of the products that have worked for me are neem and orange oil. Neem oil has been especially effective in controlling aphids and orange oil has been a great jack-of-all-trades when it comes to killing any and all types of insects ranging from fire ants, cockroaches, caterpillars and more. The other great benefit to these two products is that they are organic and biodegradable which means absolutely no harm will come to the plants you use them on.
Something else you might consider is what is known as "drench". This is a systemic approach to pest control in that the product is absorbed by the roots of the plant, fully integrating with the plant itself, which in turn wards off pests without having to spray over the plant. This is especially helpful with large trees and shrubs as it can be difficult and sometimes impossible to cover the plant thoroughly enough to make a difference.
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