Garden Pests: Identification, Prevention, and Solutions

[HFFAdmin]

This topic is for sharing help, photos, and advice on garden pests of all kinds—bugs, animals, and more. Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned grower, all experiences and questions are welcome!

1. Common Garden Pests

• Aphids: Tiny green, black, or white insects found on new growth; cause curling/wilting.
• Squash Bugs: Brown/gray bugs, attack squash and pumpkin.
• Tomato Hornworms: Large green caterpillars with a horn; eat tomato leaves and fruit.
• Slugs & Snails: Slimy, leave holes in leaves; visible in damp, shady spots.
• Cucumber Beetles: Yellow-green beetles with black stripes or spots.
• Cutworms: Fat caterpillars that chew stems near soil line; seedlings topple.
• Flea Beetles: Small, black jumping beetles; “shot hole” damage in leaves.
• Colorado Potato Beetles: Yellow/orange with black stripes; defoliate potatoes, eggplant.
• Whiteflies: Tiny white flying insects on undersides of leaves.
• Leaf Miners: Larvae making winding tunnels in leaves.
• Others? Add your pest to this thread!

2. Signs & Symptoms

• Chewed or ragged leaves
• Holes, yellowing, wilting
• Sticky residue (“honeydew”)
• Black spots (sooty mold) or white powder/mildew
• Droppings or visible pests on plants

3. Natural & Organic Solutions

• Hand-picking and destroying large pests
• Row covers for seedling protection
• Neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays
• Diatomaceous earth sprinkled around plants
• Companion planting: Marigolds, nasturtium, etc., to deter pests
• Encourage beneficial insects: Ladybugs, lacewings, birds
• Regular garden clean-up/clipping for prevention

4. Animal Pests

• Deer, rabbits, squirrels, birds, voles
• Solutions: Fencing, netting, motion-activated sprinklers, pinwheels, safe repellents

5. Chemical Solutions (As a last resort)

• Use only if organic or physical controls fail.
• Always follow label instructions and keep safe from pets, kids, wildlife.
• Post your experiences or questions here about any product.

6. Share Your Experience!

• Post clear photos of pests or damage for ID—someone here can help!
• Share what natural or creative solutions worked (or flopped) for you.
• Ask questions or start a “What’s bugging your garden this week?” thread.

Happy gardening! Let’s keep our plants healthy—together!

[HFFAdmin]

Member Experience: Diatomaceous Earth vs. Permethrin Dust
I wanted to share my personal results with pest control. I bought a 50 lb bag of diatomaceous earth (DE) and, in my opinion, it was a waste of money. I saw little to no difference in pest reduction with DE. Now, I use dust with permethrin and have had much better success keeping pests under control in my garden.

Everyone’s Experience Is Different
I know some gardeners swear by diatomaceous earth (DE), but for me, it just didn’t work out—I saw little to no effect. That’s the thing about gardening: what works for one person’s garden (and pests) might not work for another. I had much better luck using permethrin dust.

Have you used DE or something else?
I’d love to hear from others about what’s has worked, or what has not in your gardens. Sharing both successes and failures helps everyone learn!

[Madn6918]

One good resource for garden pests is the University of Florida's IFAS - Institute of Food and Agricultural Services. Another one is Jerry Baker, I have one of his books entitled Terrific Gardening Tonics. He uses such things as baby shampoo, dishwashing liquid, and even mouthwash for these pests.