Have you ever walked out into your garden and noticed holes in your leaves… missing flowers… or plants that looked perfectly fine yesterday but suddenly don’t today?
Well, you’re not alone.
Today we’re going to discuss some of the most common garden pests, how to spot them, and what you can do about them before they turn your garden into their buffet.
Become a Garden Detective
If you’ve been gardening for any length of time, you’ve probably asked yourself this question at least once: “What’s eating my plants?’
The good news is that most of the time, the damage leaves clues.
And today, I’m going to show you what to look for and how to identify some of the usual suspects.
Before you spray anything or start pulling plants out, take a closer look. Your garden usually tells you exactly what’s happening.
Look for:
- Holes in leaves
- Chewed edges
- Missing buds
- Sticky residue
- Webbing
- Insects underneath leaves
1. Caterpillars
Let’s start with one of the biggest culprits—caterpillars.
Signs:
- Large holes in leaves
- Missing leaf sections
- Chewed vegetables
- Ragged holes
- Damage overnight
- Slime trails
2. Slugs and Snails
Signs:
- Ragged holes
- Damage overnight
- Slime trails
3. Aphids
Signs:
- Clusters on stems
- Curled leaves
- Sticky leaves
4. Spider Mites
Signs:
- Tiny speckles
- Yellowing leaves
- Fine webbing
5. Larger Visitors
Sometimes the culprit isn’t tiny at all.
Possible visitors:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Squirrels
- Chipmunks
What I Do First
I don’t immediately reach for sprays. First, I inspect the plant. Here’s a checklist I use:
- Check under leaves
- Check stems
- Check soil
- Check nearby plants
Then I decide on action.
A Healthy Garden Isn’t a Perfect Garden
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that a healthy garden doesn’t have to be a perfect garden.
A few holes here and there don’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re gardening.
And sometimes we’re sharing our gardens with nature whether we planned to or not.
Conclusion
So tell me—what’s been the biggest pest problem in your garden?
Was it caterpillars, aphids, rabbits, deer… or something else?
I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Watch my accompanying YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/FfgmuOfBvPY?si=r3gdHJZ2yZv53VCC
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