Common Garden Pests

Common garden pests can wreak havoc on your plants and flowers, causing damage that ranges from mild cosmetic issues to severe health threats to your garden. Identifying these pests and understanding their habits is crucial for effective garden management. Here's a comprehensive description of some of the most common garden pests:

**1. Aphids (Aphidoidea): Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that come in various colors, including green, yellow, and black. They feed on plant sap by piercing the leaves and stems, causing wilting, yellowing, and stunted growth. Aphids also excrete honeydew, attracting ants and promoting the growth of sooty mold.

**2. Caterpillars: The larvae of butterflies and moths, caterpillars chew on leaves and can defoliate plants. Some well-known garden caterpillars include cabbage worms, tomato hornworms, and cutworms. Handpicking or using natural predators like ladybugs can help control them.

**3. Slugs and Snails (Gastropoda): These mollusks are nocturnal and feed on plant leaves, leaving behind ragged holes. They thrive in damp conditions and can be controlled with baits, traps, or barriers like copper tape.

**4. Spider Mites (Tetranychidae): Tiny arachnids that suck sap from plant cells, causing leaves to develop a stippled, yellow appearance. They produce fine webbing on plants. Frequent h