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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Is it a good idea and how to introduce frogs in my garden?

I am trying to sustainably get a grip on the flies, mosquitoes and other such insects' population. We live in the San Francisco Bay Area. We have a decent sized backyard (about 3000 sq ft of garden/landscape space). We have a bird feeder and a…
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How can I control Viburnum Beetle on my Snowball tree?

I have a mature Snowball tree (Viburnum opulus) that is stripped of its leaves and severely weakened several times a year by the viburnum beetle. The Royal Horticultural Society recommend several pesticides but, unfortunately, they are all in spray…
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How does vacuuming beetles work?

I've seen advice in books and online that I can deal with my striped cucumber beetle infestation by vacuuming. Unfortunately they don't get into details. I'm ready to drag the shop vac into the garden, but I'm wondering if there are any gotchas...…
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Removed a wasp nest - will the wasps move on?

I had a wasp nest in an area where I'm scared the kids might go and get strung. I waited till night fall and knocked it down with a broom. However, the wasps still congregate where the nests was. It's been two days. Will they eventually move on?…
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Tomato plant looks like it has grains of salt - what is it and how do I treat it?

My cherry tomato plant has been showing some yellowing of leaves over the past week or so. Just today I noticed the formation of these cluster of white granules - not sure if it's connected to the yellowing or not. It looks like grains of salt more…
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Can anyone identify this abnormality that is on my dwarf citrus?

I recently noticed what looks like small beetles on our dwarf citrus tree. Can anyone identify this abnormality? Click image for full size Is this something harmful that I should attempt to treat?
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What insect/disease causes lemons to look like a Cthulhu and how can this be prevented?

Earlier today, pictures of weirdly shaped lemons were shared on reddit. The top comment there says it is a case of citrus bud mites, which actually seems to make sense. My questions are: Is this really the cause of the deformation or could it be…
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Keeping rats from eating my plants

I have many plants in my balcony, around 20, and recently my Mom has noticed that rats are eating the plants. They finished Holy Basil in one night! All leaves are gone, even the buds. They are also munching on the new leaves of my Money plant. How…
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Best practice to prevent aphids and spider mites?

What is the best practice to prevent aphids and spider mites? I group them in one question because they make similar damage to plants. I want to know the level of humidity for aphids and spider mites to grow, then I can do the reverse approach.
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How can I discourage wasps?

We built our house last fall, and I've already found one wasp next in a corner of the eaves. I know that one of our neighbors has a huge problem with wasps, and has a large amount of exterior exposed wood (multiple decks, wood trim, a large…
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What animal is eating my cherry tomatoes and strawberries?

My garden (first ever!) has been doing great. Yesterday I harvested my potatoes, which left half the garden open and bare. Some critter seemed to view this now-open landscape as an invitation to come and dine. Whatever it was, it ate all my…
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How to protect strawberries from "predators"

I'm starting to prepare my gardening year and I'm wondering what the most efficient and organic way is to protect strawberries from birds and slugs. I'm not at all against sharing a part of my fruit with the wild-life in my garden, but last year it…
Patrick B.
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Rat proofing compost bin but allowing worms in

I've found a rat this morning in my compost bin :-(. It burrowed into in. It's a small compost bin with solid plastic sides, a lid with an open bottom. In retrospect it was a potential rat haven. It was next to a fence and I was storing paper behind…
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Indoor garden built in an office - little flies problem!

We built this indoor "garden" in our office as a prank for one of our employees who was out for a stint. It was only meant to be temporary, however we have all grown a liking to it. We ended up planting English Ivy with some Winter Creeper mixed…
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Will diatomaceous earth hurt the earthworms in my garden

I have an organic garden, and use diatomaceous earth to discourage slugs from eating my plants. Lately I have worried that the diatomaceous earth might hurt the earthworms in my soil. Does diatomaceous earth have any detrimental effect on…
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