Questions tagged [pests]

For questions about garden pests such as insects, birds and mammals.

In horticulture, the word "pests" is usually used for macroscopic animals, although smaller organisms (e.g. bacteria, fungi, viruses, nematodes) could be considered pests, as well as invasive plants (e.g. vines and parasitic plants).

Macroscopic animal pests are dominated by insects and mammals, although other arthropods, reptiles, and birds could all be pests.

All of these groups primarily contain beneficial or neutral organisms, so generally control methods should be limited and in the form of deterrents rather than chemical poisons.

544 questions
4
votes
0 answers

What are these white specks on this osteospermum (african daisy)?

This african daisy plant has lots of tiny white "crystals" of varying sizes all over the soil and stem, with some on top of the leaves as well (not as much underneath). It looks a lot like salt. Some of the leaves were chewed on by something, the…
Barry
  • 41
  • 3
4
votes
1 answer

Ficus elastica (robusta): what larva are these, and what is this white buildup?

my ficus has been doing well and growing well over the past 3 years. But recently two things have started happening: New leaves all become yellow and mushy, and sticky strings are sticking out of them (like residue from a hot glue gun). When I open…
Glenn
  • 143
  • 4
4
votes
0 answers

Squash vine stopped growing?

I've seen this on several squash plants, where the vine seems to stop growing but the growth tip is still trying to produce fruit. Not sure what this is called - internode shortening or something? I've seen possibly unrelated behavior on some…
engil
  • 163
  • 4
4
votes
0 answers

Help identifying pest on indoor palm

found these under the leaves of my indoor palm, not sure if these are two type of pests or young/mature of the same one. Both the long brown ones and the small dark ones easily scraped off). Thought it might be scale however it looks different from…
DD8
  • 41
  • 1
4
votes
0 answers

What are these tiny bugs that kill my Monstera leaves?

My Monstera has pale specks on the leaves. I noticed it on one leaf first, and it's slowly spread to others. I have also noticed tiny black specks, about the size of a grain of sand, that I think may be bugs. I treated the plant with neem oil…
Saintpat
  • 41
  • 2
4
votes
0 answers

Can you identify this spider? [UK]

I was clearing out some of my tyre plants. ( A plant literally in a tyre.) and came across this lovely specimin who was on my hand. I'm absolutely petrified of spiders but I have never seen one like this in the UK. I have shown to others and nobody…
GhastlyCode
  • 141
  • 2
4
votes
2 answers

What wildlife fencing should I use around my 5 acres to keep my critters in and wildlife out?

We want to keep costs down, but want something that will last, that wildlife can't get in and our critters can't get out. Saw 6ft high steel fencing with rectangular mesh that got smaller at the bottom (for rodents). Wildlife: deer, skunks, coons,…
DOUG BELL
  • 41
  • 1
4
votes
1 answer

Help identifying a flowering plant and its pests

I recently bought a flowering plant from the supermarket, but have not been able to determine exactly what it is (it was unhelpfully labelled as "potted plant"). Its stems are thin and vine-like; its leaves are boat-shaped and about 3-4 cm long and…
4
votes
1 answer

Holes in our landscaping

Something's digging in the shredded bark, unearthing our shrubs/roses/perennials. What is it and what's it after? It's July in Michigan -- a little late for grubs, right?
Judy
  • 41
  • 1
4
votes
0 answers

How to get rid of these small black bugs on gardenia

My gardenia is more than 6 months old. it was in good health. Suddenly I noticed that the gardenia leaves are turning yellow. I thought that it was because of natural causes. So, I ignored it initially. Then I saw that even small leaves are turning…
4
votes
1 answer

What bore a hole in this rose?

There is a hole in this rose. What is the name of the bug that would create such a hole?
Shaun Luttin
  • 143
  • 4
4
votes
1 answer

Recent tomato plant foliage growth suddenly covered with black dots

I went to water my tomato plants this morning and noticed that much of the most recent leaf growth was covered in black dots. As can be seen in the following photos. Note that the drops of water on the plant foliage is from morning dew, not from…
Jonny Henly
  • 225
  • 1
  • 4
4
votes
1 answer

What is this moth-like bug on my tree?

Check out what I found today on my 2 year old tree. It's about 2 to 3 inches in length not including those massive wings. glorious full size picture full size #2 The tree is a Texas Mountain Laurel and this is central Texas.
dols
  • 195
  • 1
  • 3
4
votes
0 answers

What is wrong with my hibiscus?

enter image description here The growth on this little tree seems much slower than it's sibling. The leaves appear to be growing very misshapen and start to curl under. It's almost as if it's being eaten along the edges. There are also little holes…
4
votes
1 answer

What is this pest I found on my chilli pepper?

Last year, I found some brown spots on some of my pepper plants. I couldn't see any insects so I trimmed the affected parts quite aggressively. The plant survived the operation quite well and proceeded to grow and fruit. Unfortunately, I've recently…
toniedzwiedz
  • 440
  • 3
  • 12