Spring is the perfect time to start a garden, and South Florida has the perfect weather for it. However, gardens have a habit of attracting garden pests. You can keep your garden year-round because the weather is always warm enough for your plants, but that means it’s also warm enough for pests. This allows them to have continuous breeding cycles. Rainy days, dry weather and hurricanes each cause their own pest problems in gardens. In this blog, we’ll go over types of garden pests to look out for and what to do about them.
Beneficial “Pests” You Probably Want to Keep
Most of us know that pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and moths, are essential for the continuation of plant life. This is the same in your garden. They may nibble on your leaves, but the reward of pollination is worth it. Along with pollinators, you may find predators that eat the problem bugs in your garden. Ladybugs, lacewigs, hoverflies, spiders, praying mantises and predatory wasps can all help your garden thrive by eating the pests that get in the way of gardening.
Manageable Pests
Some pests don’t require professional help to be managed. Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, caterpillars, slugs and snails can all wreak havoc in your garden if left unchecked. However, proper pruning and paying close attention to your plants during especially dry and especially wet periods can keep most of these pests under control. If you find you can’t manage them yourself, a professional pest control company can help.
Pests That Require Professional Help
Some pests shouldn’t be left alone if you consistently find them invading your garden. If you find the following pests in your garden, consider calling your local pest control company:
Fire Ants
You don’t want to find fire ants in your garden. They unleash painful stings and protect pests like aphids, making it easier for them to take over. If you find multiple active mounds, experience frequent stings or find ants entering your home, call the pros for help.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes in the garden are bad news. Unfortunately, they love standing water, which is common in gardens, because that’s where they reproduce. They can breed within 1-2 weeks, meaning a problem can escalate quickly. If you have heavy mosquito activity around the property during the rainy season, it’s time to call a pest control company.
Rats
When rats invade your garden, they can contaminate edible crops and chew irrigation lines. They are attracted to common gardening features, like fruit trees and compost. You should be able to avoid attracting them by harvesting fruit promptly, securing compost and removing dense harborage. You should call the professionals if you see signs like droppings, burrows, gnawing, activity in the attic or garage, or repeated fruit loss.
Iguanas
In South Florida, iguanas are an invasive species that wreak havoc on gardens. They love feeding on ornamentals and veggies, causing burrowing damage and leaving droppings behind. These pests can even destabilize seawalls. If you have recurring property damage or large populations, call a pest control company that offers wildlife control services.
Spring is the perfect time to start a garden, and it’s also a common time to find garden pests. If your garden is being taken over by pests, Command Pest Control, a veteran-owned pest control company in Fort Lauderdale, has you covered. Call us at 954-943-0008 or contact us online for a free inspection.
