In this guide, we cover how to identify common garden pests and natural pest control solutions. Before you read on though, we recommend taking a look at our resource on

for the best tips and tricks on preventing pest infestations.

 
Aphids feed on plant sap. They can easily be found living in grass, weeds, and tree foliage, and can make their way inside your home through open doors and windows, or by attaching themselves to clothing or pets. Adult females can lay between 3-10 nymphs per day, and generally have a lifespan of up to a few weeks. This means that,

Aphids can range in color from green, red, black, brown and gray, depending on the species. They are often found on the underside of leaves where they are more protected from natural predators and out of direct sunlight.

Aphids leave behind a sticky substance on the leaves called “honeydew”, which can sometimes be easier to spot than the aphids themselves. Aphids also molt throughout their lifecycle, leaving behind discarded skin or ‘molts’. Looking for molts is one of the best ways to look for aphids. Molts closely resemble bright white skeletons, which stand out against dark green leaves. If you find molts on your leaves, you have aphids.

Harvest plants young, so there are less dark shady leaves for aphids to hide. Consider squishing and killing any aphids you may find. You can also wash the aphids off your plants. If you choose this washing method, we recommend that you bring a bucket of water to your Farmstand since aphids can fly away and potentially over to other plants if agitated. 

Not all bugs are bad! Predatory wasps such as

and Green Lacewings feed on aphids.

  

Chemical control: Insecticidal Soap, Pyrethrins, Neem Oil, Spinosad. Follow label instructions and read our “How to spray” section for more information. Consider spraying multiple applications over 3+ weeks to make sure you get rid of all generations.

 
Fungus gnats are small flying insects that feed on decaying organic matter and algae that can form on the grow medium. Fungus gnats are prevalent in many horticultural settings because their primary food source - algae - is an inherent part of growing plants. Adult fungus gnats don’t actually damage plants but they can be an annoyance.

Eggs are deposited in the uppermost portion of the substrate and will eventually develop into small, clear larvae. Adult fungus gnats are small, black flying insects.

Consider cutting back on your irrigation to control algae growth, but make sure to watch your plants for signs of wilting. Place sticky cards directly into the substrate to monitor pest populations. As larvae develop wings, they’ll immediately leave the substrate and are clumsy fliers. They are also attracted to the color yellow and often fly right into the sticky trap.

Beneficial nematodes, like those in NemAttack, are live microscopic organisms that feed on fungus gnats in all growth stages.

Chemical control: Hydrogen peroxide (follow instructions below), Pyrethrins, Insecticidal Soap,

. Follow label instructions.

Hydrogen peroxide: Mix 1 part 3% Hydrogen peroxide (food grade preferred, but drugstore peroxide will work too) with 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Apply the solution directly to the top of the grow medium, enough to saturate the top. Repeat 2x per week, 3-4 days apart until you stop seeing larvae.

 
Caterpillars are the larval stage of some species of moth or butterfly and can be particularly destructive. Moths and butterflies prefer to lay their eggs close to food sources (like your seedlings) so the caterpillars don't have to travel far to find food when they hatch.

While many types of caterpillars exist, most are brown or green worms that leave behind black droppings and holes that go all the way through leaves. They can be difficult to find because they are often found on the underside of leaves and lay against leaf stems in order to blend in. They will start to move around once they are done resting in the mornings.

Limit nearby weeds and remove any mulch and grass where caterpillars may be hiding. Consider squishing and killing any caterpillars you may find. 

Predatory wasps, such as Trichogramma, and predatory insects, like green lacewings and assassin bugs, feed on caterpillars.

Chemical control:

, Insecticidal Soap, Pyrethrins. Follow label instructions and read our “How to spray” section for more information.

Hornworm caterpillars love plants in the nightshade family so be sure to check your tomatoes,  eggplant and peppers if you see black droppings on their leaves.

 
Leaf miner activity is directly related to temperature, so their damage is usually not an issue during Fall and Winter months. They can cause damage at both the larval and adult stages.

Leaf miner larvae tunnel or ‘mine’ their way through leaf tissues. These tunnels leave behind damaged tissue that can cause a significant loss in leaf area, directly affecting yield, and can be prone to bacterial infection.

Keep your plants healthy since stressed plants have weaker cell walls and are more susceptible to damage. Leaf miners often attack the first true leaf on young seedlings. If damage is found, you can try squashing the larva at the end of the tunnel. If a plant appears healthy, you can also remove the affected leaves, but be careful not to remove more than 1/3rd of its leaves at any given time. Removing too many leaves at once will leave your plant without sufficient leaf tissue to photosynthesize.

are non-stinging, parasitic wasps that disrupt leaf miners' life cycles

Chemical control: Spinosad, Pyrethrins. Follow label instructions and read our “How to spray” section for more information.

 
Mites are quite small, and they often require a hand lens in order to identify. They prefer warm temperatures and can reproduce quickly in the right conditions. Mites can cause severe damage to flowering crops, and they can be difficult to control once established.

Mites usually live in colonies on the underside of leaves, out of direct light. Because of their small size, they can be difficult to spot so their damage is often mistaken for nutritional deficiencies. (Think yellowish stippling, distorted fruits or flowers, and

.)

Mites take advantage of dry climates to establish themselves in a crop. Rinse affected plants with water and physically wipe any mites off of leaves.

Mites have many natural predators including but not limited to the Persimilis mite,

 

Chemical control: Miticide, Insecticidal soap, Pyrethrins. Follow label instructions and read our “How to spray” section for more information.

 
Thrips reproduce rapidly in warm climates. They prefer brassicas and flowers, but are generalist pests and can be found on just about anything. Thrips feed by piercing plant cells with their mouths and feeding on exuded plant juices. The collapse of plant cells due to feeding often results in deformed flowers, leaves, and shoots.

Thrips are extremely small, active and move quickly when disturbed, making them difficult to identify. Nymphs are more visible due to their bright yellow color. Looking for damage can be an easier indicator that thrips are present. Look for a stippling or “scratching'' appearance on leaves, silvering of leaves, or twisted leaf and flower growth.

The presence of thrips does not mean that damage will occur. Use sticky cards to monitor the population.

Predatory insects like Cucumeris, Orius, and Green Lacewings feed on thrips.

Chemical Control: Pyrethrins, Neem Oil and Azadirachtin. Follow label instructions and read our “How to spray” section for more information.

 
Snails and slugs are soft bodied gastropods that love to hangout in wet, shady spots around damp plant debris and mulch, underneath rocks, and in low weeds. They feed on living plants and decaying plant material.

Snails and slugs are most active at night so you will most likely notice them from the evidence they leave behind - like a shiny slime trail as they travel, damage to young seedlings, and plants with large, irregularly shaped holes. Farmstands allow for vertical, hydroponic growing, so plant and root issues due to snails and slugs are rare. However, if your Farmstand is in a wet, shady environment, there may be snails and slugs in the area that find their way onto your plants.

Remove their hiding places like nearby wood and stones that can provide wet hiding places. Move any nearby planters or pots onto stands. Make sure your outdoor Farmstand is in a location that receives plenty of air flow and 5-6+ hours of direct sunlight.

is a beneficial nematode that is effective in getting rid of snails and slugs.

Chemical control: Sluggo, Monterey Snail & Slug Spray. Follow label instructions and read our “How to spray” section for more information.