Protect Yourself from Garden Pests

A group of aphids found in Vermont - Vermont Pest Control

Gardening is a wonderful hobby that many of us in Vermont enjoy. There is nothing quite like taking fresh vegetables from your garden to your kitchen and preparing a meal from the fruits of your own labor. Lots of people start their gardening journeys with high hopes of huge yields, only to have their dreams crushed by a pest outbreak. Here at Vermont Pest Control, we have spent years figuring out the best ways to prevent and control the local pests that plague our plants. Read on for top advice from our expert exterminators!

Typical Garden Pests in Vermont

To maintain a healthy garden this year, you should learn the ins and outs of our regional garden pest problems. Being aware of the most common garden pests in Vermont will allow you to take preventative measures to ensure that they don’t show up in your yard. Here are some that we commonly deal with:

  • Fruit flies: Fruit flies, particularly the spotted wing drosophila variety, have been especially prevalent in Vermont over the last decade. Adult fruit flies lay their eggs on the fruit so that their larvae can hatch on an ample food source.
  • Leek moths: These moths lay their eggs at the base of onion, garlic, chive, and leek plants. Their caterpillars will eat up the roots, eventually growing up into moths that feast on the bulbs.
  • Aphids: Aphids are the tiny green bugs that you’ve most likely seen in your garden before. They drain the nutrients from just about every part of the plant, provided they have no natural predators co-inhabiting the garden.

Setting Up Your Plants for a Healthy Life

The best ways to prevent pest populations from setting up shop in your garden all coincide with strategies to improve the overall health of your garden. Some of these tactics are:

  1. Ensuring proper sunlight and airflow. Most garden plants need six or more hours of direct sunlight per day. If you space out your plants and make sure they get the sunlight they need, they won’t be a vulnerable target for pests.
  2. Harvesting often. If you harvest from your garden regularly, you will catch ripe plants as soon as they are ready. This lessens the chance of fruit fly eggs and other kinds of eggs being laid in your garden. It also gives you a chance to routinely check on your plants for outbreaks of aphids or other sneaky pests.
  3. Paying attention to seasons. Planting crops in their proper seasons will allow for the healthiest plant growth and most abundant yields. The best plants to prioritize for a pest-free* garden are leafy greens and herbs with short seed-to-harvest cycles.

Pest Protection for Your Garden in Vermont

If you’ve taken all of our advice and are still dealing with pest problems, it’s time for professional intervention. Our expert technicians at Vermont Pest Control have been trained in the safest methods of garden pest control that keep any and all pests out while allowing for healthy and bountiful plant growth. Don’t wait until your whole yield is compromised to get started tackling garden pest problems! Contact us today for more information on our services or a free quote.