What 'garden pests' cause less damage than you expected?

14 years ago

I posted this on the "Growing Vegetables" forum but then realized that maybe with all the first-time gardeners there, not many people will have noticed any answers to the question posed yet. So I hope I'm not offending anyone by posting it here, too.

I just read that flea beetles may cause bean and other vegetable leaves to become "lacy" with holes, but some researchers have seen that they are not actually destructive to the plants or fruits as they get older, at least up to 20-25% damage, though very heavy infestations can be.

Maybe this is because there are common garden predators that decimate their numbers and render them ineffective as plant-destroyers. Or maybe very healthy plants can overcome the effects of shotholing by flea beetles.

So I'm wondering, in my quest to understand and live in harmony with the biological world that gardening brings to us, if you know of other reputed pests that may not be as damaging as we might fear?

I am willing to live with "pests in the garden" if they don't destroy it or the vegetables I'm trying to grow.

And what garden pests are just downright destructive that you know you must deal with one way or the other or risk losing a particular crop?

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Comments (5)

gjcore
14 years ago
"And what garden pests are just downright destructive" Once July rolls around I can hardly start seedlings outdoors. Generally I have thick mulches so it seems slugs are inevitable.

In midsummer the last couple years, this is my 4th year here, my garden swarms with all kinds of bugs. It's actually kind of cool and very little damage occurs.
Kimmsr
14 years ago
If you work on your soil and make that into a good, healthy soil that will allow the plants to grow strong and healthy you will see less trouble with insect pests, and less need to spray poisons, and then you will have more beneficials that can aid in controlling the few pests you might have.
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what bug causes this damage?
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Slugs? Which technically are a mollusk, but that doesn't stop them from eating things we would prefer them to not eat. But I think I see the tell-tale silvery tracks across the strawberry leaf with the hole in it. You can by slug pellets, either the organic or not organic kind if it is slugs and they become a real problem. Actually there are a ton of ways to deal with slugs, if you do a search you'll likely come up with plenty. But as slug damage goes, that looks pretty minor, and the plants look good. As for stuff growing slow, it's probably just cool spring weather... Everything looks very wet, have you must had a spell of rain? Cheers!
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What disease/pest would cause this damage?
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Eric, cutting off those damaged buds to clean new growth would be a very good idea, and picking up any from the ground below, and sealing them in a bag and throwing them in the garbage. Do you mulch? Adding a few inches of clean mulch below the roses before next year's bloom would be a good idea, too. There's some debate about whether or not disease spores can survive over the winter, but my view is that they have to come from somewhere, and it might as well not be the planting beds. Anita
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What Pest Is Causing These Holes?
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I've been looking at 5am & evening. Either its happening in the middle of the night or during the day when I'm not home. The damage is extensive but random as to plant type and location in the garden (it's 100ft long) and since the pests aren't present on the leaves, that's why I considered beetles as my primary suspect. They can come & go irregardless of time of day.
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Would love a confirmation of what pest is causing this damage!
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Comments (12)
Thanks guys! I've left out some rolled up newspaper as a trap, as well as some beer traps (some users on other forums mentioned this works for slugs as well as earwigs!) Oh, and Ken--I've heard that sluggo is not too bad to use around the garden, is there a problem putting it down as a preventative measure, before snails attack? I was sure it was snails doing the damage, that's why I put it down. But I guess it is a harsher method than simply putting some newspaper or beer out, haha. I will let you guys know what I find!
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novice_2009
14 years ago
I did have some insect damage last year (first year completely organic which means no MG). I've never sprayed poisons. I had bean plants, corn, tomatoes, herbs, cukes, watermelons. The damage was very minimal...the worst was the worms that ate through my tomatoes, and even that wasn't bad, just frustrating.
However, since last fall I do have a garden enemy that is making me rethink my all natural approach: VOLES.
They've eaten several plant roots and some plants.
I think I'll have to set out mousetraps....which goes against my whole philosphy. However, after the damage they have inflicted in my beds around the house, I can't have them eating the food for my family. A flea beetle? Nothing.
These guys are relentless and breeding like crazy.
gjcore
14 years ago
I've never had to deal with voles but I'm sure my kitty cat, the mighty mouse hunter, would hunt them down.

From wikipedia "young voles reach sexual maturity in a month". I could see why they could be a problem.
novice_2009
14 years ago
yes gjcore, I think they might actually start breeding at two weeks old or something!!!!
I'm stumped on this one, as the damage to plants, small holes where seeds would be going, and little tunnels, etc. is only growing. I thought they would back off with more of a food supply this time of year. Not so!!!! They've set up residence around my house.
I tried a castor oil pelleted product, but they seem to be immune to it.

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What 'garden pests' cause less damage than you expected?

Comments (5)

gjcore

Kimmsr

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