Garden Pest Guide

What they are: Small pear-shaped insects (green, black, gray) often in clusters.

What they do: Suck sap, cause curling leaves, stunted growth, sticky honeydew.

Plants they love: Roses, tomatoes, beans, peppers, lettuce, fruit trees.

Natural remedies:

• Spray with soapy water (1 tsp mild dish soap per quart).
• Hose off with water.
• Release ladybugs or lacewings.
• Use neem oil regularly.
• Spray DIY citrus bug spray

What they are: Tiny black or brown beetles that jump like fleas.

What they do: Chew small holes in leaves (shotgun pattern), especially on seedlings.

Plants they love: Eggplant, arugula, radish, tomatoes, and other brassicas.

Natural remedies:

• Use floating row covers during early growth stages.
• Plant trap crops like radish.
• Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

What they are: Metallic green beetles with coppery wings.

What they do: Skeletonize leaves (eat the tissue between veins), damaging flowers and fruits.

Plants they love: Roses, grapes, beans, raspberries, hibiscus, and linden trees.

Natural remedies:

• Hand-pick early morning and drop in soapy water.
• Use neem oil or kaolin clay spray.
• Plant deterrents nearby (like garlic, rue, or chives).
• Encourage beneficial nematodes in the soil to kill grubs.

What they are: Wedge-shaped insects that jump like fleas when disturbed.

What they do: Suck plant juices, causing yellow spots and spreading plant diseases.

Plants they love: Potatoes, beans, lettuce, grapes, and carrots.

Natural remedies:

• Spray with neem oil or garlic spray.
• Plant trap crops or barrier plants like marigold.
• Attract predators like spiders and parasitic wasps.

What they are: Larvae (often of flies or moths) that tunnel inside leaves.

What they do: Leave winding white or brown trails in leaves.

Plants they love: Beets, spinach, chard, tomatoes, citrus, and peas.

Natural remedies:

• Remove and destroy affected leaves early.
• Cover crops with row covers.
• Use neem oil to disrupt larval development.
• Introduce parasitic wasps (like Diglyphus isaea).

What they are: Soft, slimy mollusks that leave silver trails.

What they do: Chew holes in leaves and fruit, especially at night.

Plants they love: Lettuce, strawberries, hostas, marigolds, young seedlings.

Natural remedies:

• Hand-pick at night or early morning.
• Set out shallow dishes of beer to trap them.
• Use crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, or copper tape as barriers.
• Avoid overhead watering; slugs love damp conditions.

What they are: Microscopic pests that spin fine webs; red or yellow.

What they do: Suck sap from undersides of leaves, causing stippling and bronzing.

Plants they love: Tomatoes, cucumbers, houseplants, beans, and peppers.

Natural remedies:

• Increase humidity (mites hate moisture).
• Wipe leaves with damp cloth.
• Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
• Introduce predatory mites.

What they are: Shield-shaped insects that emit a foul odor when squished.

What they do: Suck juices from fruits and veggies, leaving discolored spots.

Plants they love: Tomatoes, beans, peppers, corn, squash.

Natural remedies:

• Hand-pick and drop in soapy water.
• Remove weeds and garden debris where they hide.
• Spray with neem oil or garlic-chili spray.
• Attract beneficial predators like birds and parasitic flies.

What they are: Tiny, slender insects that move quickly and are hard to spot.

What they do: Feed on flowers and foliage, causing streaked, silvered leaves.

Plants they love: Onions, beans, tomatoes, flowers like gladiolus.

Natural remedies:

• Blue sticky traps (they're attracted to blue!).
• Neem oil or insecticidal soap spray.
• Remove and destroy affected plant parts.
• Attract beneficial insects (minute pirate bugs eat thrips).

What they are: Large green caterpillars with a horn on their rear.

What they do: Eat entire tomato leaves, stems, and even green fruit.

Plants they love: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes (nightshades).

Natural remedies:

• Hand-pick and drop in soapy water.
• Look for white cocoons of parasitic wasps (leave those worms alone!).
• Spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), safe for other insects.

What they are: Tiny white flying insects found under leaves.

What they do: Suck sap, cause leaf yellowing and stunted growth.

Plants they love: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and houseplants.

Natural remedies:

• Yellow sticky traps.
• Soapy water spray.
• Introduce beneficial insects like parasitic wasps.