A lush, vibrant garden is the highlight of any landscape, but keeping plants healthy is no easy task. Plants are susceptible to damage from many factors, including extreme temperatures, inadequate hydration, and destructive insects. Nature Plus Lawn & Irrigation in West Chester, OH, is the Cincinnati area’s premier lawn care services provider. Here, their team discusses five of the most destructive garden pests.

5 Insects That Could Destroy Your Plants

1. Aphids

Aphids are a bane for gardeners everywhere. These tiny pear-shaped insects are notorious for sucking away at roses, honeysuckles, and other flowers, as well as fruits and vegetables, ornamentals, and shade trees. They suck plant sap, causing foliage to wilt and deform. They also carry plant viruses and black sooty mold fungus. 

2. Borers 

Borers destroy flowers from the inside out. The worst of them is the iris borer, which tunnels through the iris rhizome, leaving behind bacterial rot. If you see sawdust-like material at the base of your irises or ragged leaves, chances are borers are the culprits. 

3. Cutworms 

Cutworms are thick, gray, or black segmented larvae about one inch long. These nocturnal pests usually feast on vegetable and flower seedlings and transplants, chewing through stems at ground level. If not controlled, they can devour vulnerable small plants entirely. 

4. Leafhoppers 

Leafhoppers are green and about an eighth of an inch long. They don’t congregate in large numbers and usually hop away when approached. But don’t let their innocuous appearance beguile you. These pests carry a toxin in their mouthparts, which they inject in the underside of flower foliage. The result is distorted leaf tips and edges. Leafhoppers also spread aster yellow virus. 

5. Mealybugs 

Mealybugs are just 3/16 of an inch long and move very slowly. Despite their small stature, they can do a tremendous amount of damage. The honeydew they excrete is conducive to sooty mold growth. When enough mold accumulates on foliage, it can hinder photosynthesis and weaken the plant. If you notice fuzzy white growths on a plant, it’s probably infested with mealybugs. 

For help combating these and other destructive pests, contact your local garden experts.You can depend on the team at Nature Plus Lawn & Irrigation for all your lawn care needs. In addition to pest control, they also provide fertilization, aeration, and weed killers. Call (513) 755-9434 to speak with a helpful team member about scheduling a free lawn care consultation, or visit their website today. For more lawn care tips, follow the team on Facebook.