Learn how to identify and manage the most common garden insects and their threats to protect your garden's health.
Over the years, I've turned my garden into both a sanctuary and a science lab. I am constantly experimenting, hauling in bug-bitten leaves and mystery insects to the local nursery, all in search of the best ways to protect my plants.
I’ve tried every method under the sun, from gentle, natural remedies that keep my conscience clean, to those heavy-hitting chemical treatments. Let’s be honest, sometimes chemical options feel like the only way when things get really bad.
While I prefer to go the natural route whenever I can, I’ve learned that balance is key. Below, I’m sharing the most common garden pests I battle regularly and the tried-and-true methods, both natural and chemical, that have helped me fight back.
Guide to Some of the Most Common Garden Insects
A flourishing garden is a sight to behold. After all, vibrant blooms, lush foliage, and the satisfaction of seeing your hard work come to life. It always seems that as soon as your plants start to thrive, an army of tiny invaders may show up to sabotage the progress.
Garden insects can be more than just a nuisance—they can devastate your flowers and stunt the growth of your plants.
1. Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap. They cluster on new growth, sucking out the nutrients and leaving distorted leaves, yellowing, and sticky residue (honeydew) that can lead to mold growth. Aphids multiply very quickly, especially in warm weather, so a small infestation can become a major problem in a short time. They are known vectors of many plant viruses, which can spread quickly across a garden and be hard to control.
These pests are always after my Zinnia's. They also love tomato plants, well most fruit and veggie plants as well as ornamental plants. All the good stuff, right?
How to get rid of them:
- Spray them off with a strong stream of water.
- Introduce natural predators like ladybugs or lacewings.
- Use neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly until they’re gone.
Slugs and Snails
While not technically insects, these pests chew large holes in leaves and flowers, especially overnight or in damp conditions.
These pesky things LOVE my peonies, almost as much as I do. I’ve tried all the natural tricks. While those methods help a little, the harsh truth is that the only thing I’ve found to really keep them at bay are the poison pellets.
I don’t love using them, but when it comes down to saving my blooms, especially during peak peony season, I’ve had to make that choice. The worst part? Cutting fresh peonies, bringing them inside, and then discovering a slimy little hitchhiker crawling across the table. No thank you! There are also natural remedies you can try first before jumping straight to pellets if that makes you more comfortable.
How to get rid of them:
- Handpick in the early morning or evening.
- Place beer traps (shallow dishes filled with dark beer) to lure and drown them.
- Use copper tape around pots or garden beds as a deterrent.
Wasps
Wasps can disrupt flower gardens in several ways, despite also offering some benefits. While they do help control certain pests by preying on caterpillars, aphids, and other insects, their presence can become problematic, especially in late summer when food sources dwindle.
Some species become aggressive around sugary substances and may harass gardeners or pollinators like bees and butterflies, reducing pollination activity. Additionally, social wasps may build nests near or within the garden, posing a sting risk to humans and pets. Their territorial behavior can deter people from enjoying or tending to their flowers, making wasps an unwelcome presence in many home gardens.
A few years back, I hired a company to spray for wasps, which ended up costing me over $200. I didn’t think the results justified the price, so I started researching DIY alternatives. The wasps tend to build nests under the top of our fence, so I knew I needed something powerful enough to offer year-round protection. That’s when I found this product and decided to give it a try. I’ve been incredibly impressed with how effective it’s been. There are far fewer wasps around, and our yard has become a much more enjoyable place to spend time.
I always make sure to use a sprayer specific to this bug killer so I know what I am reaching for every time.
2. Japanese Beetles
These insects can cause significant damage to gardens due to their voracious appetite and tendency to feed in groups. As adults, they skeletonize leaves by eating the tissue between the veins, leaving behind a lacy, damaged appearance that weakens plants and reduces their ability to photosynthesize. They also feed on flowers and fruit, damaging their appearance and development. In their larval stage, known as grubs, they live in the soil and feed on the roots of grass and other plants, which can result in brown patches and weakened turf. Because they attack such a wide variety of plants and reproduce quickly, Japanese beetles are considered a serious pest in many home gardens.
How to get rid of them:
- Handpick them in the morning when they’re sluggish and drop into soapy water.
- Use traps placed far from flower beds (to draw them away).
- Apply neem oil or milky spore to reduce larvae in the soil.
Spider Mites
These tiny pests can cause serious damage to garden plants, especially in hot, dry conditions. They feed by piercing plant cells and sucking out the contents, which leads to tiny yellow or white speckles on leaves—often called stippling. As infestations grow, leaves may turn bronze, dry out, and eventually fall off. Spider mites also produce fine webbing, often visible on the undersides of leaves or between stems. This webbing can further stress plants and reduce their aesthetic appeal. If left unchecked, spider mites can rapidly multiply and severely weaken or even kill plants, particularly vegetables, flowers, and ornamental shrubs.
How to get rid of them:
- Hose down plants regularly to disrupt their habitat.
- Apply miticides or insecticidal soap.
- Keep humidity up—mites prefer dry conditions.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are small, winged insects that can be highly destructive to garden plants. They feed by sucking sap from the undersides of leaves, which weakens plants and causes yellowing, wilting, and stunted growth. Like aphids, whiteflies excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes the growth of sooty mold, that can further inhibit photosynthesis. Large infestations can quickly overwhelm plants, especially in warm climates or greenhouses where they thrive. Additionally, whiteflies can transmit plant viruses, making them not just a nuisance but also a threat to the overall health of a garden.
Thrips
Thrips are tiny, slender insects that can cause significant damage to garden plants by feeding on their tissues. They use their sharp mouthparts to puncture plant cells and suck out the contents, leading to silvery or bronze streaks, spots, or patches on leaves, flowers, and fruit. This damage can distort plant growth, reduce yields, and affect the overall appearance of ornamental plants. Thrips also pose a serious threat because they can transmit several plant viruses, including tomato spotted wilt virus, which can devastate crops. Because they are so small and often hide in flower buds or leaf folds, thrips can be difficult to detect and control before damage becomes severe.
How to get rid of them:
- Prune and dispose of affected flowers.
- Apply insecticidal soap or spinosad.
- Reflective mulch can deter them from landing.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars can cause considerable damage to gardens as they feed voraciously on plant foliage, flowers, and even fruits. These larvae of moths and butterflies chew large, irregular holes in leaves, often stripping entire sections and weakening the plant's ability to photosynthesize. Some species, like tomato hornworms or cabbage loopers, target specific crops and can decimate vegetable gardens if left unchecked.
In addition to their feeding damage, caterpillars can leave behind frass (droppings), which can further stress plants and attract other pests. While some caterpillars eventually become beneficial pollinators as adults, their larval stage poses a serious threat to garden health and productivity.
How to get rid of them:
- Handpick and relocate or dispose of them.
- Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), a natural soil bacterium that targets caterpillars.
- Attract birds, their natural predators.
Preventative Tips for a Pest-Free Garden
- Healthy soil = healthy plants. Strong plants are more resistant to pests.
- Inspect regularly. Early detection is key to controlling infestations.
- Encourage biodiversity. A variety of plants and natural predators help balance the ecosystem.
- Avoid over-fertilizing. Tender new growth attracts pests like aphids.
Say Goodbye to Pesky Insects
Whether you're just starting out or see yourself as a seasoned gardener, everyone can benefit from a few extra tips and tricks to ensure success. Pest management is part of the gardening journey. While it's tempting to wage chemical warfare on invaders, starting with natural and integrated pest management (IPM) methods can be safer for your garden—and the environment. With a watchful eye and proactive care, you can keep your garden blooming beautifully all season long.
-Brooke
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