One guide per common garden pest. Each covers identification and the controls extension services describe, from row covers, traps and hand-picking to soaps, Bt and baits, compares what the sources say and shows where they differ. Sources are listed at the end of each guide.
For the pests a particular vegetable or herb runs into, start from its page under Crops and herbs.
- Aphids: identification, natural enemies, water sprays and soaps
Identification, life cycle, when to ignore them, natural enemies, water sprays, insecticidal soap, oils and neem.
- Tomato hornworm: identification, parasitic wasps and hand-picking
Tomato vs tobacco hornworm, droppings, life cycle, parasitic wasps, hand-picking, tilling, Bt and spinosad.
- Squash vine borer: timing, barriers and resistant squash
Moth flight dates and degree-days, eggs at the stem base, row covers and stem wraps, less-susceptible squash, rescuing a wilted vine, sprays.
- Cabbage worms: imported cabbageworm, looper and diamondback moth
Imported cabbageworm, cabbage looper and diamondback moth: ID, timing, thresholds, row covers and netting, hand-picking, Bt, trap crops.
- Slugs and snails: traps, barriers and baits
Slugs and snails: ID, when they feed, habitat fixes, hand-picking, board and beer traps, copper barriers, iron phosphate and other baits.
- Flea beetles: row covers, trap crops and timing
Flea beetles: ID, shot-hole damage, spring timing, sealed row covers, radish and mustard trap crops, action levels and insecticide notes.