Rising temperatures signal the start of the golden days of summer for the insect world as their populations explode.  While plants (and people!) may wilt in the summer heat many garden pests thrive.  Here are some of the most common garden pests that we encounter on a daily basis, signs of and solutions for them:

 

Aphids and Sooty Mold     Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects with pear-shaped bodies that are found in a wide range of colors.  Aphids pierce plant material and suck the plant's fluids which can leave behind discolored and distorted leaves.  The fluid not digested by aphids is secreted as a honeydew on which sooty mold thrives.  The presence of sooty mold, as well as ants, which are attracted to the honeydew, are a good sign of aphids in the area.  You can help prevent aphid outbreaks by spraying woody plants with dormant oil in the winter to destroy overwintering eggs.  Fortunately, aphids are easy to exterminate.  Spray infested plants with an insecticidal soap or a systemic insecticide.

 

 

Japanese Beetles     These pesky beetles start out as white c-shaped grubs about 1 inch long that feed on plant roots and are usually found in lawns where they can cause brown patches.  We recommend a granule grub control applied to lawns in May to help prevent grubs from maturing.  Once matured they emerge in June as small metallic green and bronze beetles that feed voraciously on many plants, most commonly roses and crepe myrtles.  Leaves damaged by Japanese beetles will look skeletonized and lacy.  Treat plants with a systemic insecticide to halt beetle feeding and if you need to vent some beetle-induced frustration you can knock individuals into a bucket of soapy water for instant gratification. 

 

 

 

Lacebugs     Most commonly pests of azaleas, lacebugs are tiny clear-winged insects that can be found on the undersides of leaves, feeding on plant fluids, which causes leaves to discolor and look mottled or speckled.  Tiny black spots on the undersides of leaves are lacebug excrement and another sign of their presence.  To prevent lacebug attacks treat azaleas in early spring with a systemic insecticide; this will keep the new growth damage free.   Treat current lacebug infestations with a systemic insecticide to halt feeding but keep in mind that damage done to foliage, although only cosmetic, will remain visible until new growth emerges next spring.

 

 

Snails and Slugs     Snails and slugs are most active at night and during cloudy, rainy days so they can be hard to spot but their damage is unmistakable.  A shimmering slime trail is a sure sign of their presence.  Large sections of leaves and even entire plants can be chewed up by snails and slugs.  Slug and snail bait is an effective prevention and treatment for these garden pests as well as old-fashioned remedies such as placing a shallow saucer of beer at soil level overnight, which will attract and then drown them, or crushing up eggshells and sprinkling them around problem areas.

 

 

Spidermites     Spidermite infestations go hand and hand with hot, dry weather and are most commonly found on the undersides of English ivy leaves.  Damaged leaves appear yellow and speckled and webbing on stems is the unmistakable sign of their presence.  To prevent spidermite infestations keep plants consistently moist and rinse leaves and stems off occassionally.  Treat infested plants with a miticide; insecticides won't work since spidermites are arachnids.  

 

 

Whiteflies     Whiteflies are tiny, white, winged insects that are easy to spot when infested plants are brushed against or shaken and a cloud of them appears around the plant.  Like aphids, whiteflies produce a honeydew which attracts ants and can encourage the growth of sooty mold.  Gardenias are a common target of whiteflies; treat infested plants with a systemic insecticide.