As the days get longer and temperatures rise, your garden bursts back into life. But while spring brings fresh blooms and lush greenery, it also invites unwanted pests that can wreak havoc on your plants. From slugs and aphids to vine weevils and caterpillars, spring pests can quickly take over if left unchecked.
At All Seasons Garden Maintenance, we understand the challenges gardeners face at this time of year. That’s why we’ve put together this essential guide on the most common spring garden pests and how to keep them under control.
1. Slugs and Snails
What to Look Out For:
Slugs and snails thrive in damp spring conditions, feeding on young plants, leaves, and seedlings. They leave behind irregular holes in leaves and slimy trails, making them easy to spot.
How to Prevent Them:
- Use natural deterrents like crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, or copper tape around vulnerable plants.
- Encourage natural predators like birds, frogs, and hedgehogs by creating wildlife-friendly areas.
- Try beer traps – a shallow dish filled with beer attracts and drowns slugs.
- Avoid overwatering your garden, as slugs and snails thrive in damp conditions.
2. Aphids (Greenfly & Blackfly)
What to Look Out For:
Aphids are tiny sap-sucking insects that gather on plant stems and undersides of leaves. They weaken plants, stunt growth, and attract sooty mould, which can further damage foliage.
How to Prevent Them:
- Introduce beneficial insects like ladybirds and lacewings, which naturally prey on aphids.
- Spray affected plants with a mild soapy water solution to wash aphids away.
- Encourage strong, healthy plants by feeding and watering regularly, making them more resistant to pests.
3. Vine Weevils
What to Look Out For:
Adult vine weevils chew notches in leaves, while their larvae attack plant roots, leading to wilting and plant death. They are especially dangerous to potted plants and shrubs.
How to Prevent Them:
- Inspect plants regularly and remove adult weevils by hand in the evening.
- Apply biological controls such as nematodes, which naturally kill vine weevil larvae.
- Keep soil healthy and well-drained to prevent larvae from thriving.
4. Caterpillars
What to Look Out For:
While butterflies are a welcome sight in any garden, their caterpillars can quickly strip plants bare. Cabbage white caterpillars are especially destructive to brassicas like cabbage and kale.
How to Prevent Them:
- Cover plants with fine netting to prevent butterflies from laying eggs.
- Pick off caterpillars by hand if infestations are small.
- Encourage birds into your garden, as they are natural predators of caterpillars.
5. Ants
What to Look Out For:
Ants don’t harm plants directly but farm aphids by protecting them from predators to feed on their honeydew. This can increase aphid infestations in your garden.
How to Prevent Them:
- Disrupt ant trails by sprinkling cinnamon, coffee grounds, or diatomaceous earth.
- Control aphid populations to reduce the food source that attracts ants.
- Seal entry points to keep ants from nesting near your home or greenhouse.
6. Lily Beetles
What to Look Out For:
Bright red lily beetles attack lilies and fritillaries, devouring leaves, stems, and buds. Their larvae also cause severe damage by feeding on foliage.
How to Prevent Them:
- Inspect lilies regularly and remove beetles by hand.
- Apply organic insecticides to control infestations.
- Check the undersides of leaves for orange eggs and remove them immediately.
General Tips to Keep Your Garden Pest-Free
- Encourage Natural Predators – Birds, frogs, hedgehogs, and ladybirds help control pests naturally.
- Use Companion Planting – Planting marigolds, basil, and garlic near vulnerable plants can deter pests.
- Maintain Garden Health – Regular pruning, weeding, and feeding keep plants strong and less susceptible to infestations.
- Monitor Your Plants – Regular checks help catch pests early before they cause serious damage.
Need Help Managing Garden Pests?
At All Seasons Garden Maintenance, we offer expert garden care services, ensuring your garden stays healthy and pest-free all year round. From regular maintenance and lawn care to pruning and pest prevention, our experienced team is here to help.
Contact us today on 01372 610566 or 07368 356520
Let’s keep your garden thriving this spring!
