Ant
Ants do not feed on plants but loosen the soil around the roots. They also care for aphids and feed on the “honeydew” secreted by aphids.
Dust or spray the plants thoroughly with a powder solution. Make sure you spray the area of infestation at least once every 3 weeks until the problem disappears.
Aphid
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that suck plant juices.
Dust or spray the entire plant thoroughly. As a preventive, do not over water your plants.
Use Triple Action to exterminate all aphids.
Blister Beetle
Blister beetles are large, long-legged, active insects that strip foliage from plants.
Dust or spray plants thoroughly.
Cutworm
Cutworms cut off plants at night and spend the days curled up in the soil.
Dust or spray plants and surrounding soil. Protect transplants with paper or metal collars placed around the stems.
Grasshopper
Grasshoppers attack most plants.
Dust or spray garden and surrounding grassy and seedy areas.
Use Nolo Bait, available at our Garden Center.
Iris borer
Iris borers are large borers that feed in the rhizomes of the plants.
Dust or spray weekly for four weeks when new growth starts. Prevent reinfestation by transplanting rhizomes every three or four years and discarding rhizomes that are borer-infested.
Leaf beetle
Leaf beetles are chewing insects that feed on both foliage and flowers. They also make tiny holes in leaves.
Dust or spray plants thoroughly.
Leaf-feeding caterpillar
Caterpillars damage plants by eating the foliage, boring into flower buds or rolling the leaves.
Dust or spray plants thoroughly.
Pill bug
Pill bugs feed on decaying organic matter as well as on plants. They curl up into a ball when disturbed.
Remove boards and trash under which pill bugs hide. Spray or dust plants and surrounding area thoroughly.
Plant bug and leaf-hopper
These are active insects that suck plant juices, causing flowers and foliage to become spotted and blasted.
Dust or spray plants thoroughly
Rose slug
Small slugs (sawfly larvae) feed on undersides of rose leaves, skeletonizing them and causing them to turn brown.
Dust or spray plants thoroughly.
Slug
Slugs are large, soft-bodied creatures that leave a slimy trail as they move.
Scatter a metaldehyde or mesurol slug and snail bait around the plants according to directions on the package.
Red spider mite
These are tiny mites that cause foliage to turn gray and die.
Spray or use granules according to directions.
Stalk borer
Stalk borers are found in the stems of plants.
Dust growing plants frequently and thoroughly. Destroy dead plant debris in the fall. Borers also can be removed from the stalks by pinching the stems.
Thrip
Thrips are tiny, active insects that cause foliage to become spotted and flowers to be deformed. They are a serious pest of gladiolus.
Hard to control, if possible use a systemic product.
* Remember YOU CANNOT APPLY SYSTEMIC PRODUCTS TO ANY EDIBLE PLANT.