Oleander Aphid (Milkweed Aphid)
You may have noticed these brightly colored critters on your Milkweed. This Aphid species is bright yellow bodied with black legs. They are usually clustered on the stems of Milkweed. Use a water hose to spray the aphids off your plants. Spraying insecticides is not necessary, Milkweed can usually handle large populations of this aphid without any major damage.
Japanese Beetles
These annoying beetles feed on over 300 species of landscape plants. They will decimate the leaves of our precious Roses, Raspberries, Zinnias, and more. As they feed, they release pheremones that lure more beetles to feed and breed on our favorite plants.
Physically knocking them off your plants into soapy water helps prevent massive populations.
You can also use sprays such as Neem Oil and Seven to kill them and prevent further damage to your plants.
Bag Worms
These caterpillars build homes inside a slender bag dangling from your common evergreens such as Cypress, Arborvitae, Cedars, and Laurels. They eat the buds of these landscape plants, causing dieback and dead spots throughout the plant.
Hand picking the bags a s soon as you see them goes a long way. After picking the worms of throw them away, do not compost them. You can also spray your plants with Neem Oil or Sevin to kill and prevent further damage.
Cucumber Beetles
Cucumber beetles chew holes in your plant leaves. They can quickly consume your precious cucumber, melon, and squash plants. Cucumber beetles can also transmit diseases like bacterial wilt and cucumber mosaic virus. Control your beetle damage by spraying with organic Neem Oil regularly every 7-10 days.
Water Damage
Wet weather makes many beautiful blossoms turn brown and mushy….Simply snap the water damaged blossoms and yellow leaves off, allow plant to dry and fertilize for more blooms to come.
This wet weather also brings grey mold to our recently planted begonias and geraniums. Too much moisture and lack of airflow are a perfect storm for the grey mold (nasty) to appear. Best practice is to pick out the moldy areas and air them out as best as you can when the sun comes back out.
Powdery Mildew
A very common and widespread fungus that affects shrubs, trees, annuals, and perennials. It is caused by hot air and enhanced by humidity. Things like lack of air circulation and sunlight. Certain plants are more susceptible to it, such as; crape myrtles, peonies, tall phlox, lilacs, and more.
It is pretty easy to identify–a white-grey powdery substance on the leaves, and usually the younger leaves.
Best fighter: Bonide Copper Fungicide
Powdery Mildew on Grapes
Scale
A bug infestation of tiny round white or brown turtle-shell insects that attach to the stem or backs of leaves on the plant. Some plants are more susceptible to it aka stressed plants. Cherry Laurels are one of the most susceptible, along with Euonymous and woody plants. Can be found on houseplants as well.
Best fighter: Bonide Neem Oil/Regular protection or Bonide Insecticidal Soap. It is important to do multiple applications when treating pests and diseases.
Fungus Gnats
This is a very common problem with indoor plants, and it is caused by one thing: moisture. Not letting your plants dry slightly (or fully for those that like it) between waterings leave a hospitable environment for gnats to lay their larvae within the soil and eventually you’re met with an annoying infestation. When this happens, forget your watering schedule and let the plant taper on the dry side for a while, as this won’t let the larvae hatch.
Best Fighter: Mosquito Bits to prevent and fight gnat larvae, sticky tape to catch those already alive.