Gardening is a wonderful hobby, but it can be frustrating when pests invade and damage your plants. Here are some of the top garden pests and how to avoid them:

Aphids

are small, soft-bodied insects that suck the sap from plants, causing stunted growth and deformities. To avoid aphids, keep your plants healthy by providing good soil, adequate water, and appropriate sunlight. You can also spray your plants with a solution of water and dish soap to deter aphids.

Slugs and snails

can devastate a garden, especially in wet or humid climates. To avoid these pests, use organic slug bait or diatomaceous earth around your plants. You can also place copper tape around the base of your planters, which creates a small electric shock that repels slugs and snails.

Japanese beetles

are metallic green and bronze beetles that feed on the leaves, flowers, and fruit of plants. To avoid Japanese beetles, handpick them off of plants and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. You can also use a beetle trap or spray your plants with an organic insecticide.

Tomato hornworms

are large, green caterpillars that can strip a tomato plant of its leaves in just a few days. To avoid tomato hornworms, handpick them off of plants and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. You can also use a natural insecticide, such as neem oil.

Cabbage worms

are the larvae of the cabbage white butterfly and can cause significant damage to brassica plants like cabbage, kale, and broccoli. To avoid cabbage worms, cover your plants with row covers or mesh netting. You can also use a natural insecticide, such as Bacillus thuringiensis.

Spider mites

are tiny pests that can cause yellowing and stippling of leaves. To avoid spider mites, keep your plants well-watered and spray them with a fine mist of water to increase humidity. You can also spray your plants with a solution of water and neem oil.

Squash bugs

are gray or brown insects that feed on the leaves and fruit of squash plants, causing wilting and stunted growth. To avoid squash bugs, regularly inspect the undersides of leaves and remove any eggs or nymphs. You can also use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control an infestation.

Earwigs

are small, brown insects that feed on the leaves and petals of plants, causing ragged edges and holes. To avoid earwigs, remove any debris or mulch that can provide a hiding place for them. You can also place rolled-up newspaper or cardboard tubes in the garden, which earwigs will crawl into and can then be removed.

Cutworms

are the larvae of moths that feed on the stems of young plants, causing them to wilt and die. To avoid cutworms, use a physical barrier such as a collar made of cardboard or paper around the base of your plants. You can also handpick cutworms at night when they are most active.

Scale insects

are small, circular insects that suck sap from the stems and leaves of plants, causing yellowing and stunted growth. To avoid scale insects, prune any affected plant parts and dispose of them. You can also use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control an infestation.

Whiteflies

are small, white insects that suck sap from the undersides of leaves, causing yellowing and stunted growth. To avoid whiteflies, keep your plants well-watered and regularly spray them with a solution of water and dish soap. You can also use sticky traps to catch adult whiteflies.

Deer

can cause significant damage to a garden, especially in rural or suburban areas. To avoid deer, use fencing or mesh netting around your garden. You can also plant deer-resistant plants, such as lavender, marigolds, and daffodils.

Remember, prevention is key when it comes to avoiding garden pests. Keep your garden healthy and free from weeds, provide appropriate water and sunlight, and be vigilant about pest control. By taking these steps, you can enjoy a bountiful and pest-free garden.