Garden Pests
Various
Garden pests include a variety of sap-sucking insects that damage ornamental plants, vegetables, and fruit trees. From tiny aphids to spotted lanternflies, these pests weaken plants by feeding on their fluids and can transmit plant diseases.
Garden Pest Identification Guide
Physical Characteristics
Garden pests in this category are generally small, soft-bodied insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts designed to extract plant fluids. Many are excellent at hiding on leaf undersides or blending in with plant tissues. Size ranges from nearly microscopic aphids to inch-long spotted lanternflies.
Common Species
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Aphids: Tiny, pear-shaped insects found in clusters on new growth. Come in many colors including green, black, red, and yellow.
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Whiteflies: Small, white, moth-like insects that fly up in clouds when disturbed. Found on leaf undersides.
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Scale Insects: Appear as immobile bumps on stems and leaves. Protected by waxy or hard shell-like coverings.
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Mealybugs: White, cottony-looking insects found in leaf axils and on stems. Slow-moving and covered in waxy filaments.
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Spotted Lanternflies: Striking inch-long insects with spotted wings and red hindwings. Invasive pest attacking many plants including grapes and tree of heaven.
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Thrips: Tiny, slender insects that cause silvery damage to leaves and flowers.
Garden Pest Behavior and Biology
Most garden pests are prolific reproducers, with some like aphids capable of producing live young without mating. This allows populations to explode rapidly under favorable conditions. Many species produce multiple generations per year.
These pests weaken plants by extracting sap and nutrients. The honeydew they excrete creates secondary problems by supporting sooty mold growth and attracting ants. Heavy infestations can kill young plants or seriously reduce yields and plant vigor.
How We Treat for Garden Pests
Our integrated approach protects your plants while minimizing environmental impact:
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Inspection: We identify which pests are present and assess infestation levels to determine appropriate treatment intensity.
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Targeted Treatment: We apply treatments directly to infested plants, focusing on leaf undersides and other areas where pests congregate.
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Systemic Options: For certain situations, we may recommend systemic treatments that are absorbed by plants and protect against feeding insects from within.
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Cultural Recommendations: We provide guidance on plant care practices that promote plant health and reduce pest susceptibility, including proper watering, fertilization, and pruning.
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Monitoring: We recommend follow-up inspections to ensure treatments are effective and catch any resurgence early.
Types of Garden Pests
Click on any species below to learn more about identification, behavior, and control methods.
Aphids
Aphididae
Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap, causing leaves to curl, yellow, and stunt plant growth. They reproduce rapidly and can infest gardens, ornamental plants, and agricultural crops throughout North America.
View identification guide
Garden Fleahoppers
Microtechnites bractatus
Garden fleahoppers are tiny, shiny black plant bugs that jump when disturbed. They feed on a wide variety of vegetable, ornamental, and forage plants, causing stippled leaves and reduced plant vigor.
View identification guide
Leafhoppers
Cicadellidae
Leafhoppers are small, wedge-shaped insects that feed on plant sap and can transmit plant diseases. While primarily garden pests, they sometimes enter homes in large numbers during fall.
View identification guide
Mealybugs
Pseudococcidae
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered in white, waxy filaments that feed on plant sap. They are common pests of houseplants, greenhouses, and ornamental gardens, causing plant stress, honeydew secretion, and sooty mold growth.
View identification guide
Psyllids
Psylloidea
Psyllids, also known as jumping plant lice, are tiny sap-feeding insects that can damage ornamental plants and trees by causing leaf curling, discoloration, and the production of sticky honeydew.
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Scale Insects
Coccoidea
Scale insects are small sap-feeding pests that attach to plant stems, leaves, and bark. They appear as small bumps or waxy growths and can cause yellowing, wilting, and branch dieback in ornamental plants, houseplants, and landscape trees.
View identification guide
Spittlebugs
Cercopoidea
Spittlebugs are small, plant-feeding insects recognized by the frothy, spit-like masses their nymphs produce on grass and ornamental plants.
View identification guide
Spotted Lanternflies
Lycorma delicatula
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper from Asia that damages trees and crops, producing sticky honeydew that encourages mold growth.
View identification guide
Thrips
Thysanoptera
Thrips are tiny, slender insects with fringed wings that damage plants by piercing cells and sucking out their contents, causing silvery discoloration and distorted growth.
View identification guide
Treehoppers
Membracidae
Treehoppers are small, plant-feeding insects known for their unique horn-like projections and remarkable camouflage that helps them blend in with thorns and plant stems.
View identification guide
Whiteflies
Aleyrodidae
Whiteflies are tiny, white-winged insects that feed on plant sap, causing yellowing leaves and secreting honeydew that promotes sooty mold growth.
View identification guideCommon Questions about Garden Pests
What are the most common garden pests?
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Common garden pests include aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, mealybugs, thrips, and leafhoppers. More recently, spotted lanternflies have become a significant concern in eastern states. All of these pests feed on plant sap and can weaken or kill plants.
How do I know if my plants have garden pests?
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Signs include yellowing or curling leaves, sticky honeydew on leaves and surfaces below plants, black sooty mold growing on honeydew, stunted growth, and visible insects on stems and leaf undersides. Some pests like scale insects may look like bumps on stems.
Are garden pests harmful to humans?
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Most garden pests do not bite or sting humans and pose no direct health risk. However, their honeydew excretions can attract ants and support mold growth. Spotted lanternflies can be a nuisance when present in large numbers.
What is honeydew and why is it a problem?
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Honeydew is a sticky, sugary substance excreted by sap-sucking insects. It coats leaves and surfaces below infested plants, promoting black sooty mold growth and attracting ants. Heavy honeydew can make outdoor areas unusable.
Can garden pests spread plant diseases?
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Yes, many garden pests can transmit plant viruses and other diseases as they feed. Aphids and leafhoppers are particularly notorious for spreading viral diseases between plants, making control important even when direct feeding damage seems minor.
Explore Other Pest Categories
Browse our comprehensive pest library for identification guides and control information.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that's been protecting homes for over 57 years.
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