You might be thinking, “Fall is here; the bugs are gone!” but you would be wrong. There are a few pests that still come around in the cold temperatures. You need to look out for them and protect your plants from them! Here are the fall garden pests to keep an eye on and how to fight them.
Fall Garden Pests
Aphids
Usually, aphids like it hot, but if you live in an area like Dallas, TX, chances are these pests will still be around in October. They are pear-shaped and have long mouths. You can get rid of them with a strong hose if you find some, but you might need something extra like special pesticides made to kill these pests.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails lay half of their eggs in the fall, which hatch in a couple of weeks, overwinter, and feed in the spring. You need to get rid of these creatures before they lay eggs and cause a bigger problem in the spring.
Bagworms
These worms are caterpillars that create 2-inch bags and attach them to branches and evergreen trees. If you see a couple, pinch them with your fingers. If there are more, you made to treat them in the spring before the bags are made.
Fall Webworms
The fall webworms are black-spotted, gray-haired caterpillars that build webs closer to the ends of tree branches. Their webs are everywhere in the fall! The best way to treat these is with insect killers and sprays.
Controlling your Pests
Clear Debris
The number one place for bugs to hide when temperatures drop is in the debris in your flower beds. It protects them from wind, gives them food, and provides water when it rains. You need to be vigilant about cleaning your flower beds and landscaping to prevent pests from nesting.
Keep Your Mulch Thin
You can’t keep bugs from getting in your mulch, but you can minimize the number that is in it. Ideally, your mulch is only 2-3” thick. Also, thinner mulch layers can protect against plant diseases.
Mow Your Lawn
Mowing your lawn in the cold weather can be a pain, but dealing with pests is even worse. You need to keep cutting your grass if it keeps growing because long blades of grass provide pests shelter. Grass that gets packed and stepped on promotes mold growth as well, which you don’t want!
These are just a few bugs to look out for and few ways to keep your landscaping free of pests. Calling a landscaping expert like CGreens Landscaping is your best bet for a pest-free yard, so contact us! We want to keep your yard in tip-top shape throughout the cold months. Be sure to follow us on Facebook to check out some of our work!
