How to Manage Nematodes in Your Backyard Garden!
Nematodes, also known as roundworms, can be a microscropic problem living in your soil. They are transparent and unsegmented worms.
Nematodes, also known as roundworms, can be a microscropic problem living in your soil. They are transparent and unsegmented worms.
The most characteristic feature of this fast-moving reddish-brown to black insect is the pair of approximately an inch long pincers at the tip of a long abdomen. Earwigs thrive in tight, dark, moist places such as under stones, in mulch, soil, (compost & vermicompost bins), and anywhere there is an accumulation of plant debris.
Leaf-footed bugs are approximately 1 inch long, some with a white zigzag pattern on their wings. They have long legs similar to a cricket with an oval shaped body. They are recognizable by their hind legs which look leaf-like. They have piercing mouthparts which probe into plants to suck their juices. This can cause discoloration and damage to the plants.
Scales are super tiny insects that suck the sap from your plants weakening or killing your plant. They secrete a covering over their tiny body that resemble scales.
Grasshoppers can consume an obscene amount of 1/2 their body weight in a day! This can account for a lot of damage fast if you have an infestation. Grasshoppers are brown in color with wings, large legs, and antennae.
Mealybugs are a small, white, soft-bodied insect typically found in the garden in warmer climates. Mealybugs will feed on plants by sucking sap out of them causing the leaves to yellow and curl. You may notice the plant getting sticky from the honeydew and this will attract ants as well. This blog post talks about how you can manage mealybugs in your garden with our free From Seed to Spoon mobile app!
Pillbugs, often called Roly Polys, can be commonly found in your garden. They are typically only a pest if there is an excess of them. These crustaceans are very important in the decomposition process in your garden. They like to feed primarily upon decaying matter but can also feed on seedlings or fruits/vegetables sitting on the ground if there is a lot in your garden.
Raspberry cane borers are a beetle that especially loves to feed on your berries. You can tell you have a problem if you notice wilting in your plants and see rings cut into the stem directly below the wilting.
Asparagus beetles have a similar look to lady bugs. As larvae, they are 1/3 inch long and are slug like in appearance. Adult asparagus beetles are about 1/4 inch in length and are metallic blue-black with either yellow or black spots on their wings. Both adult and larvae can be dangerous to your asparagus causing the tips to turn brown and twist.
Raccoons are huge corn-lovers, and they will destroy the corn in your garden in a hurry. Keeping them out of your garden is imperative to protecting your corn.