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If you have a garden, one of the biggest challenges you may face is dealing with pests that not only inhabit your garden but eat and destroy the vegetation you’re growing. Treating your garden and setting up preventative methods to protect it from these pests is probably on your mind. But before you can do that, you need to know what you’re dealing with. Here are 10 common garden pests you should watch out for so that you can protect your garden:
A common pest you might find in your garden is an earwig. These insects are attracted to moist, hidden areas, and they will eat almost anything, especially any vegetation in the area. Combined, these preferences make your garden the perfect place for them to live because it gives them both food and shelter.
Raccoons are known for eating just about anything, whether that be scraps from a trash can or fresh foods. If your garden is unprotected from pests, raccoons are sure to steal your fruits and vegetables to eat.
Just like most types of ants, fire ants are looking for a food source. If you have a garden, it will likely attract fire ants because it provides them with a food source and gives them the warmth and moisture that they prefer. But weary, though, because fire ants can quickly and easily destroy vegetation.
With gardens come decaying matter and fungus, which will attract fruit flies to your yard. Not only will fruit flies feed off of these, but they will also lay their eggs in and around your garden, which can quickly lead to an infestation.
If you’re finding a wasp here or there in your garden, they can be pretty beneficial. However, if you’re finding swarms of them, they can become quite the pest. Wasps tend to like gardens for several reasons: they enjoy nectar, eat ripe fruits, and prey on other insects that are drawn to your garden.
While moles aren’t exactly looking to eat the vegetation growing in your garden, your fruits and vegetables are attracting insects. If moles sense a garden in your yard, they’re smart enough to know that there will be insects underneath the ground and in and around your garden, providing them with a food source.
Rats can be another issue for homeowners with gardens, mainly because rats are omnivores. These pests will eat just about anything, especially fresh fruits and vegetables that are growing in an easily accessible location.
Much like rats, mice are looking for a food source, and having a garden in your yard provides them with food. But your garden doesn’t just give them food; it shelters them as well by providing them with the necessary materials to build a nest.
Unlike other pests that come to your garden, ladybugs can actually be very beneficial. These little beetles prey on other harmful insects that could damage your garden and will eat any eggs as well.
Voles enjoy eating healthy grass, which makes gardens a very ideal place for them to find food. But they won’t stop there. Once they find a food source, they will begin to tunnel underneath the ground, which can damage your garden.
While not all pests are harmful to your garden, it’s still important to keep an eye out for any regular pests in your garden. Even if all you’re seeing is ladybugs, this can be a sign that other harmful insects are making your garden their home. If you’re having any issues with garden pests, you can always contact us at Nature’s Gate Sustainable Pest Control to handle the problem.
