We can all relate to having our beautifully crafted garden turn into a pest paradise. However, don’t get discouraged. There are several simple solutions to keep those pests away.
- Aphids: Commonly referred to as “plant lice,” these small insects multiply very quickly, meaning just a small problem can easily turn into a big problem. To rid your garden of these pests, you can simply spray down your plants generously to wash them off. Rarely do aphids climb the plant again once they have been knocked off. Or, you can plant flowers-such as marigolds, sunflowers, or daisies- that attract insects that eat aphids, like the common ladybug.
- Grasshoppers: These are a familiar insect known for their hefty appetites. They chew jagged holes into plants, and can be very difficult to deter from your garden. You can start by adding calendula, dill, or daisies into the space because these will attract grasshopper predators, like robber flies. Now, if this doesn’t help, find insecticides that contain permethrin or carbaryl.
- Cucumber Beetles: These pests act as a nemesis to your cucumbers, pumpkins squash and more. Not only do they eat flowers and roots, they can spread disease. To help prevent these insects from invading your garden, be sure to clean your garden after winter as they tend to hide in the dead leaves. Similar to the other suggestions above, try planting some marigolds or alyssum to bring in predators to these insects.