Gardening is one of the most rewarding things I do, but nothing tests my patience like garden pests. I’ve put in the work planting, watering, and watching everything grow—only to have bugs, slugs, and critters try to ruin it.
Figuring out which pests are causing damage and how to deal with them has been a game-changer. Some can be handled with simple tricks, while others take a little more effort, but I’ve found ways to keep my plants thriving without resorting to harsh chemicals.
Here are the 11 pests that have given me the most trouble—and what actually works to get rid of them.
1. Aphids – Blast Them Off with Water
Aphids are tiny, but they can do serious damage by sucking the sap out of plants. I used to stress about them, but now I just grab the hose. A strong blast of water knocks them right off the leaves, and most don’t come crawling back.
If they keep showing up, I bring in the reinforcements—ladybugs love to eat aphids, so planting flowers that attract them (like marigolds and dill) keeps my garden in balance.
2. Slugs and Snails – Beer Traps Work Like a Charm
Slugs and snails love to munch on my plants, but I’ve found an easy way to deal with them—beer traps. I bury a shallow dish so the rim is level with the soil and fill it with beer. The slugs crawl in and, well… they don’t crawl back out.
Checking the traps after a rainy night is key, and I replace the beer as needed. It’s simple, effective, and doesn’t involve chemicals.
3. Japanese Beetles – Pick ‘Em Off or Use Traps
When Japanese beetles show up, I know I have to act fast. They’ll eat through leaves like it’s their job. The easiest method? Picking them off by hand and tossing them into a bucket of soapy water.
If that’s not your thing, beetle traps work too—just set them up away from your garden so you don’t attract more beetles to your plants. A quick spray of soapy water on the leaves can also help keep them away.
4. Cabbage Worms – Neem Oil Stops Them in Their Tracks
Cabbage worms can wipe out leafy greens in no time. I tried neem oil, and it’s been one of the best natural solutions I’ve found.
I mix a tablespoon of neem oil with water and a little dish soap, then spray it directly on my plants. It disrupts the worms’ growth and also keeps moths from laying eggs.
5. Spider Mites – Add Humidity to Keep Them Away
Spider mites thrive in dry conditions, so increasing humidity around my plants helps keep them in check. Sometimes, I’ll mist the leaves, but I have to be careful—too much moisture can lead to other problems.
If I spot mites, I rinse my plants with a strong spray of water or wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. It’s an easy way to keep them from spreading.
6. Whiteflies – Let Ladybugs Do the Work
Whiteflies are tiny but destructive. I’ve found that the best way to deal with them is by letting nature take care of it—ladybugs and lacewings love to eat them.
Planting marigolds, alyssum, or dill attracts these helpful bugs. If I need to step in, I’ll spray the undersides of leaves with soapy water to knock out the whiteflies.
7. Leaf Miners – Snip Off the Damaged Leaves
Flowersabc, CC BY-SA/Wikimedia Commons
Leaf miners leave wavy, white trails on leaves, and once they’re in there, the only way to stop them is to remove the damaged leaves.
I prune the affected leaves right away and make sure not to compost them (otherwise, the pests will just keep coming back). Keeping my garden tidy and checking plants often helps catch them before they spread.
8. Grasshoppers – Garlic Spray Sends Them Packing
Grasshoppers can demolish a garden fast, but I’ve had good luck using garlic spray as a natural deterrent.
I crush a few cloves of garlic, mix them with water, and spray it around my plants. They hate the smell, so they move on to greener (less garlicky) pastures. Planting garlic near vulnerable crops also helps keep them away.
9. Squash Bugs – Handpick and Spray with Neem Oil
Squash bugs are one of the biggest headaches in my garden. I check my plants regularly and handpick any bugs I see, dropping them into soapy water.
Neem oil works well, especially on the younger bugs. Spraying it directly on the leaves helps break their life cycle and keeps them from multiplying.
10. Vine Weevils – Nematodes for the Win
Vine weevils don’t just attack plants—they go after the roots, which makes them extra tricky. I’ve found that beneficial nematodes (tiny soil-dwelling worms) are the best way to get rid of them.
I mix the nematodes with water and apply them to the soil. They take care of the larvae before they can do damage. It’s one of the best long-term solutions I’ve found.
*This article was created with the help of AI.