Common Garden Pests: As Heard on the Garden Spot

Hopefully you had the chance to tune into the Garden Spot radio show, Saturday August 5, 2017. Andrea McFarland shared with you several common pests that wreak havoc on our gardens. Here is what she shared:

Japanese Beetles: Adults are metallic blue-green, ½-inch beetles with bronze wing covers, while larvae are fat, white grubs with brown heads. They can be found on many vegetables, flowers, and small fruit in all states east of the Mississippi River. Adults skeletonize leaves, chew flowers, and may completely defoliate plants while larvae feed on lawn and garden plant roots. To control these insects, shake beetles from plants in early morning; apply floating row covers; set out baited traps upwind of your vegetable garden on two sides and at least 30 feet away; spray beetles early morning or as sun sets with Fertilome Triple Action Spray.

Flea Beetles: Small, dark beetles that jump like fleas when disturbed. They hang out on most vegetable crops and are found throughout North America. Adults chew numerous small, round holes into leaves (most damaging to young plants), and larvae feed on plant roots. For control, apply floating row covers; repel the pests by spraying plants with garlic spray or kaolin clay; spray beetles early morning or as sun sets with Fertilome Triple Action Spray.

Scale Insects: Adult females look like hard or soft bumps on stems, leaves, or fruit, males are minute flying insects, and larvae are tiny, soft, crawling insects with threadlike mouthparts. They can be found on many fruits, indoor plants, ornamental shrubs, and trees throughout North America. All stages suck plant sap therefore weakening plants. Plants become yellow, drop leaves, and may die and honeydew is excreted onto foliage and fruit. For control, prune out infested plant parts; encourage native predators; scrub scales gently from twigs with soft brush and soapy water, and rinse well; apply dormant or summer oil sprays; or spray with neem oil; Bonide Systemic Insect Control.

Colorado Potato Beetle: Adults are yellow-orange beetles with ten black stripes on wing covers. They can be found on potatoes, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, eggplant, and petunias throughout North America. These beetles defoliate plants, reducing yields or killing young plants. To control, apply floating row covers; use deep straw mulches; hand pick; attract native parasites and predators; spray with neem oil; spray beetles early morning or as sun sets with Fertilome Triple Action Spray.