Which pests attacks vegetables in the garden? Vegetables are a healthy part of a diet, and they provide us with essential vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants.
There are many pests that can attack vegetables in the garden, but we’ll discuss some of the most common types in this article.
Additionally, we’ll give you tips on how to prevent these pests from attacking your vegetable garden.
Key Takeaways
- There are many pests that can attack vegetables in the garden, such as aphids, asparagus beetles, spider mites, cabbage worms, and more.
- Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can cause damage to the leaves of plants.
- Asparagus beetles only feed on asparagus plants, and both the larvae and adults can ruin the plants by chewing on the spears and ferns.
- Spider mites are known for their ability to suck sap from plants, which can lead to leaves drying out and turning yellow.
- To prevent these pests from attacking your vegetable garden, keep your plants watered and in good condition, regularly monitor for signs of the pests, and take action if necessary. Additionally, there are natural controls like sunlight and wind that can help keep these pests in check.
Which Pests Attacks Vegetables in the Garden:
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on a variety of plants.
When aphids feed, they can cause damage to the leaves of the plants they are on.
If you are seeing an increase in aphids on your plants this summer, be sure to check for signs of damage and take appropriate measures.
Their vast knowledge of vegetable garden pests ensures that they always have the perfect guide for solving any problem.
Aphids are small, black insects that feed on the fluids from plants.
When aphids invade a plant, they cause distortions and deformities in the leaves and stems.
Asparagus beetle (Crioceris asparagi)
Asparagus beetles are attracted to the unique flavor of asparagus plants, and will only feed on them.
This prevents them from damaging other plants in the area and ensures that asparagus is always available for consumption.
Asparagus lovers beware!
The asparagus beetles are known for their destructive chewing habits.
Larvae and adults alike will chew on asparagus spears and ferns, ruining the plants in short order.
Keep an eye out for these pests while enjoying your asparagus this season!
If you have a lot of insects, your plants may start to turn brown and they might not do as well the next year.
If you see this happening, you should try to get rid of the insects as soon as possible so the plants can get back to normal.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are small, two-spotted arachnids that change color as the weather becomes colder.
In warmer weather, they are pale green; but in cold weather, they turn orange or red.
These mites are known for their ability to suck sap from plants, which can eventually lead to leaves drying out and turning yellow.
To protect your vegetable garden from spider mites, it’s important to keep your plants watered and in good condition.
You should also regularly monitor for signs of the pests and take action if necessary.
To keep spider mites in check, many people rely on natural controls like sunlight and wind.
Spider mites, however, reproduce quickly, and so outbreaks can occur.
Cabbage worms (Artogeia rapae)
Cabbage worms are little creatures that like to eat cabbage plants.
If you grow any of the cabbage plants listed above, you might have to watch out for cabbage worms.
If you see any damage to the plant, be sure to take care of it right away!
If you’re seeing cabbage worm caterpillars munching on leaves and flower clusters, it might be time to call an exterminator.
These caterpillars can cause extensive damage to plants, leaving behind holes that may become infested with other pests.
The parasitic wasp, Vespula vulgaris, is a small, black and yellow wasp that can cause extensive damage to crops if infestation is severe.
They are attracted to damaged areas of plants and can lay their eggs in the plant tissue, causing the leaves to wilt and die.
Flea Beetles on Vegetables
Flea beetles are voracious predators that feed on foliage and roots of brassica and solanaceous crops, as well as potato tubers.
This can cause significant damage to these plants, so it’s important to keep flea beetle populations under control!
The flea beetles love plants, but their favorite is the radish.
They will eat potatoes, tomatoes, brassicas, corn, and eggplants.
Flea beetles are small, beneficial insects that love to make small, round holes in plant foliage.
Their destructive actions help to keep the garden healthy and flourishing!
Capture adult flea beetles with yellow sticky cards!
Place the cards above the tops of your plants to trap the pests and prevent them from chewing on your plants.
Do not use floating row cover as it can trap newly emerged flea beetles underneath it.
Flea beetles are a common problem in gardens, and Floating Row Cover is one of the most effective ways to trap them.
Cucumber Beetles
Western species of cucumber beetles will also feed on leaves of other vegetables and soft fruits, such as apricot and peach.
In Utah, the melon crop has been plagued by a sickness that causes the fruit to rot before it can be harvested.
This is causing farmers to lose a lot of money and forcing them to look for new crops to grow.
Squash Bugs
To keep squash bugs out of your home gardens, use a squish bug trap.
Place the trap in an exposed spot, such as near the center of a crop or next to a fruit tree.
When a squash bug walks into the trap, it will get squished.
The squash bug is a pesky critter that loves to cause damage in gardens.
These pests are attracted to warm areas and can easily penetrate homes, gardens, and other outdoor spaces.
To avoid these bugs from causing damage, be sure to keep your property clean and free of food sources.
How to protect your plants from squash bugs without using chemicals!
Here are some tips:
1. Grow squash varieties that are less susceptible to squash bug damage.
2. Keep your garden clean and free of debris, which can provide shelter for the bugs.
3. Install perimeter barriers around your plants to keep the pests away from them.
4. Use natural predators like ladybugs to help control the population of squash bugs.
Conclusion
Aphids, asparagus beetles, cabbage worms, cucumber beetles and flea beetles are all common garden pests that can cause damage to plants.
Keep an eye out for these pests and take appropriate action if necessary to prevent them from damaging your vegetable garden.