Questions tagged [pest-control]

For questions about controlling garden pests. Use this tag with questions about how to keep identified pests at bay. For unidentified pests use the [pest] and [identification] tags. For questions about pesticides use the [pesticide] tag.

Garden pests can include , other invertebrates, mammals, , and domesticated creatures. Although "" indicates that they actively destroy plants and crops, this tag can also be used for (cats/s) that merely cause inconveniences (see example question).

A range of control methods are available including synthetic , organic s, traps, and deterrents. Clearly not all methods are appropriate for all pests or situations, and many methods are illegal for specific pests and jurisdictions.

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How do I prevent critters from chewing my sprinkler system?

I have a lot of trees in my yard...and squirrels. I'm not 100% sure the squirrels are the critters doing the damage, but it seems the most likely. My neighbor says he's seen a possum in his yard before...and I'm not ruling out rats or…
Shane
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What is eating my vegetable seedlings?

I recently grew some lettuce and carrots from seed, but within three nights they were completely eaten. I then used a seed growing tray and then transplanted about 40 out into the garden bed. But these have been gradually dissappearing. When…
going
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How do I get rid of ducks from my backyard?

There are a couple of ducks in my yard (male and female). I think they have come to my backyard to make a nest. I fear that if this happens half my backyard will become off-limits due to an angry duck-mom. I also worry that they will munch on my…
Om Patange
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How do I deal with millipedes eating my vegetable seedlings?

After cursing all the slugs in my yard and removing the few that I could catch, I was quite shocked yesterday to discover 100+ young plants all chewed to the ground. I was going out at 9 - 10pm to find the slugs but was only seeing one or two per…
going
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What are some good companion veggies/flowers/herbs to scare off beetles?

I've had the biggest problems with Asian Stink Bugs (an invasive species that is terrorizing the Midatlantic USA region) and Asparagus Beetles. Oddly enough the asparagus beetles (right pic) are mostly found on my radishes, turnips and brassica,…
nicholas a. evans
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How do I prevent raccoons from eating my corn?

This harvest I was not able to pick a single corn cob. Some large animal(s), I suspect raccoons, got to them before they were ripe (I would find peeled and gnawed corn littering the lawn and the corn stems bent down when I got home). I had crushed…
Om Patange
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How do I get rid of insects on fruit trees?

I have an infestation of aphids on my citrus and pomegranate trees. The bugs are being "farmed" by ants. I read they might actually be bringing the aphids to the trees. Is this at all a problem? Can my trees still produce good fruit while they're…
Jonathan
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Can Marigold flowers keep animals away?

Can this wonderful flower, when planted mature, keep away animals and bugs? I have read this on a few sites and want to know if it works. Is it true or even partly true? Has anybody done this themselves?
Ljk2000
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How do I identify and control spider mites

I am looking for an extensive answer with references that: lists many of the plants that can be attacked by spider mites the conditions that encourage them brief information about their lifecycle how to identify them and the damage they cause all…
kevinskio
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Do techniques to repel slugs also work on snails?

I have seen the thread on an organic way to repel slugs. However, usually I only see snails in my area. Will the techniques in the answer there work on snails too? Also, By the way, I've never seen a slug in my life here in Hong Kong. Are…
lamwaiman1988
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Can snail pellets be safely used in a vegetable garden? If not, any safer alternatives?

Is it safe to use snail pellets in a vegetable garden bed or will these slowly leach into the soil? Is there a safer alternative that will keep snails out, but won't be absorbed by the vegetables?
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How can I kill or remove insects from cut flowers that I bring inside?

When I cut flowers (typically daylilies) from my garden and bring them inside, I often find I am treated to a barrage of flies over the next few days. I'm going to guess that there are maggot larvae within the flowers, which matures inside my…
glenviewjeff
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What is this bug on my adenium plant and what should I do?

I have a dozen adenium plants and on a few of them these mysterious bugs appeared this morning. It's winter season here, the current temperature is ranging between 7°C to 20°C (45°F to 65°F). What should I do about this bug?
Saurabh
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What is the best way to grow vegetables without using chemical insecticide?

I am looking for tips and recommendations because I do not want to use any pesticides. I am in Jamaica where insects are a big problem. I am using a combination of dish soap and hot pepper. Any suggestions as what to mix with the soap? I have a…
Gardening Directions
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How do I identify and eradicate the pest that is destroying the plants in my flowerbox?

We transplanted an assortment of pretty flowers for our windowsill some weeks ago (albeit rather crudely) and they were growing bright and healthy. Over the last week, however they've been plagued! I live in Scotland and suspect the pest is the…
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