As gardeners and plant lovers, nothing is more frustrating than discovering a pest that has infiltrated your garden. Unfortunately, in the Ohio Valley region, there are numerous types of pests that can wreak havoc on your plants.
From scale to corn earworms, each pest comes with its own set of symptoms and ways to manage it. In this article, we will discuss the most common invertebrate pests found in Ohio Valley gardens and the best ways to deal with them.
Aphids:
Aphids are one of the most common and frustrating pests that gardeners encounter. They are small, pear-shaped insects that can be found feeding on the leaves, stems, and flowers of plants.
If you notice curled or distorted leaves, it may be a sign of an aphid infestation. Another telltale sign of aphids is honeydew, which is a sticky, sweet substance that aphids secrete as they feed.
The best way to manage aphids is to attract natural predators, such as ladybugs or lacewings, to your garden. You can also wash the aphids off of your plants with a strong stream of water.
For a more severe infestation, you may need to use an insecticidal soap or neem oil. Cabbage Root Maggots:
Cabbage root maggots are another common pest that gardeners encounter, especially when planting cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower.
The maggots feed on the roots of the plants, causing them to wilt and die. To prevent a cabbage root maggot infestation, you can use row covers to keep the adult flies from laying their eggs.
Another option is to apply beneficial nematodes to the soil to kill the maggots before they can cause damage. Cabbage Worms:
Cabbage worms are the larvae of the cabbage butterfly and can cause significant damage to cruciferous plants.
They bore into the leaves of the plants, leaving behind holes and chewed foliage. The best way to manage cabbage worms is to handpick them off of your plants or apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), which is a naturally occurring bacterium that kills the larvae.
Colorado Potato Beetles:
Colorado potato beetles are easily recognized by their cream and black striped bodies. They can be found feeding on the leaves of potato, tomato, and eggplant plants.
If left unchecked, they can defoliate an entire plant. The best way to manage Colorado potato beetles is to handpick them off of your plants or apply insecticides such as spinosad or neem oil.
Corn Earworms:
Corn earworms are hidden pests that can be found in the husks and silk of corn plants. They feed on the kernels of the corn, leaving behind damaged and unappetizing crop.
To prevent corn earworms, you can use pheromone traps to attract and kill the adult moths before they can lay their eggs. Bacillus thuringiensis can also be applied to the silk of the corn to kill the larvae before they can cause significant damage.
Cucumber Beetles:
Cucumber beetles come in two varieties, black and yellow striped, and spotted. They feed on cucurbits, such as squash, cucumbers, and melons, and can transmit bacterial wilt, which can lead to plant death.
The best way to manage cucumber beetles is to use row covers to prevent the adult beetles from laying their eggs. You can also handpick them off of your plants or apply neem oil.
Cutworms:
Cutworms are pests that cut off the stems of plants at the base, causing them to wilt and die. They are most problematic for transplants, as they can destroy an entire tray of plants if left unchecked.
To prevent cutworms, you can use collars made of cardboard or plastic around the base of your plants. You can also apply beneficial nematodes to the soil to kill the larvae before they can cause damage.
Flea Beetles:
Flea beetles are small, shiny black insects that feed on the foliage of plants, leaving behind tiny holes. They can be especially problematic for pepper plants.
The best way to manage flea beetles is to use row covers to prevent the adult beetles from laying their eggs. You can also apply neem oil or diatomaceous earth to your plants.
Grasshoppers:
Grasshoppers are large insects that can cause significant damage to foliage, leaving behind ragged holes. They can be a particular frustration for gardeners, as they are difficult to deter.
The best way to manage grasshoppers is to use physical barriers such as netting around your plants. You can also apply insecticides such as spinosad or neem oil.
Hornworm:
Hornworms are large caterpillars that feed on the stems and leaves of tomato plants. They can defoliate an entire plant in a matter of days.
The best way to manage hornworms is to handpick them off of your plants or apply Bt. You can also attract natural predators such as parasitic wasps or birds to your garden. Japanese Beetles:
Japanese beetles are metallic green beetles that can cause significant damage to garden and ornamental plants.
They feed on the leaves, causing them to become skeletonized. The best way to manage Japanese beetles is to handpick them off of your plants or use insecticides such as neem oil or spinosad.
Onion Thrips:
Onion thrips are small insects that can cause significant damage to onions and cabbage. They leave behind white spots and silver streaks on the leaves of the plants.
The best way to manage onion thrips is to apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to your plants. You can also use reflective mulch to deter the thrips from landing on your plants.
Scale:
Scale is a type of insect that appears as tiny brown bumps on the stems and leaves of trees and shrubs. They feed on the sap of the plants, causing significant damage.
The best way to manage scale is to manually scrape them off of your plants with a soft brush or apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Slugs:
Slugs are nocturnal pests that leave behind mucous trails and damage to foliage.
They can be particularly problematic for young plants and seedlings. The best way to manage slugs is to use physical barriers such as copper tape around the base of your plants.
You can also apply diatomaceous earth or use slug traps to catch them. Spider Mites:
Spider mites are reddish-brown insects that can be found on the undersides of leaves.
They feed on the sap of plants and leave behind webs and significant damage to foliage. The best way to manage spider mites is to use row covers to prevent their spread.
You can also apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to your plants. Squash Vine Borer:
Squash vine borers are pests that can be found in the stems of cucurbit plants.
They leave behind wilted leaves and slotted holes in the stems. The best way to manage squash vine borers is to use row covers to prevent the adult moths from laying their eggs.
You can also make small slits in the stem of your plants and remove the borers by hand. Beware of Spotted Lanternflies:
While not yet widely present, the spotted lanternfly has been identified as an invasive species that is spreading rapidly throughout the eastern United States.
These insects are leafhoppers that feed on the sap of fruit trees, nut trees, and ornamental trees. They have spotted hindwings and forewings with black stripes.
To prevent the spread of spotted lanternflies, it is essential to destroy any of their life stages that you encounter. Adults mate in late summer and lay their eggs in the fall.
The eggs are laid in masses of 30-50 and look like gray-brown mud. Destroying these masses before they hatch is crucial.
The nymphs emerge in the spring and have white spots on their dorsal side. Destroying these nymphs in the early stages of development is crucial to prevent the spread of the spotted lanternfly.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it is essential to be vigilant in identifying and managing pests in your garden. By using a combination of physical barriers, natural predators, and the appropriate use of insecticides, you can keep your plants healthy and thriving.
Remember to keep an eye out for Spotted Lanternflies and destroy any life stages you encounter. With proper management, your garden can be pest-free and produce bountiful harvests.
In conclusion, being aware of the most common invertebrate pests in Ohio Valley gardens and how to manage them can help ensure the health and success of your plants. Remember to take preventative measures, use natural predators, and apply insecticides when necessary.
Additionally, it’s crucial to be on the lookout for invasive species like the Spotted Lanternfly and take steps to destroy their life stages to prevent their spread. Here are some answers to common FAQs:
1.
What are some signs of an aphid infestation? Answer: Look for curled or distorted leaves and honeydew.
2. How can I prevent cabbage root maggots from infesting my crops?
Answer: Use row covers or beneficial nematodes to protect the roots. 3.
What are some ways to manage cucumber beetles? Answer: Use row covers, handpick them off plants, or apply neem oil.
4. How can I prevent grasshoppers from damaging my garden?
Answer: Use physical barriers such as netting or insecticides like spinosad. 5.
What should I do if I find Spotted Lanternflies? Answer: Destroy any life stages you encounter, including egg masses and nymphs.