4 Summer Landscaping Pests to Be Aware Of

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4 Summer Landscaping Pests to Be Aware Of

The summer is right around the corner, which means its time to really start enjoying all of the hard work that you put into your landscaping over the past few months. There’s nothing like spending time outside on a well-manicured landscape with the people that matter the most to you. Unfortunately, enjoying your outdoor areas can be more challenging if you are dealing with some of the common pests that hang out around landscapes. What often starts as a few tiny insects quickly turns into a big pest problem that is difficult to deal with if you aren’t aware of the right approach.

The summer brings warm weather, which tends to be the perfect weather for pests to multiply in. The good news is that you can deal with pests easily if you know what to look out for and how to approach the issue. That’s why we’ve created the following article about 4 summer landscaping pests to be aware of so that you know what to watch out for. After reading this article, you should have a good idea about what types of pests might affect your landscaping and how to deal with them. This article is brought to you by Cal Blend Soils, the leading supplier of landscaping products in California. Reach out to Cal Blend Soils today to learn more about our great line of landscaping products.

Summer Landscaping Pest #1 – Aphids

One of the most common landscaping pests that people have to deal with is aphids. These tiny critters are especially frustrating because they feed on plant leaves. They are very small and oftentimes invisible to the naked eye. That means if you don’t get them under control, your plants will become a feast. The problem with aphids is that they are extremely hearty insects, meaning that they can survive in a lot of different environments. It’s up to you to keep an eye out for warning signs at all times throughout the summer.

The best way to deal with aphids is to work on getting rid of them as soon as you notice they are present. Otherwise, the problem can get worse very quickly, as aphids are known to multiply quickly. Try spraying cold water on the leaves of your plants to knock the aphids down. Alternatively, you can look into using neem oil, which is a spray that can naturally get rid of these tiny pests. The chances are good that you will deal with this summer landscaping pest, so start preparing now.

Summer Landscaping Pest #2 – Grasshoppers

You are probably already familiar with this common landscaping pest. It’s instantly recognizable for its hind legs and jumping ability. Grasshoppers are an issue for landscapers because they love to eat plants. They will literally eat any landscape plants, as long as they are green. Your plants will suffer if you don’t stay conscious of the grasshopper population on your property.

One of the things to look out for is ragged edges on the leaves of your plants. That usually means that this summer landscaping pest has been munching on them. There are a few ways to get rid of grasshoppers on your property. You can try applying a natural garlic spray on your plants that are being affected to keep the grasshoppers away. Additionally, dusting the leaves with flowers can cause grasshoppers problems when they try to eat your coveted plant life. Try out these natural remedies instead of just buying a harsh chemical repellant.

Summer Landscaping Pest #3 – Lace Bugs

When it comes to summer landscaping pests, there are some that are more destructive than others. There’s nothing worse than coming outside and noticing that your hard work is being compromised by hungry little insects. Lace bugs are one of the most common summer landscaping pests that you should look out for. They can cause the leaves of your plants to curl with yellow or white stippling. If you notice that leaves start turning brown and falling off of your plants during the middle of the growing season, it might be lace bugs.

Lace bugs are a big issue because they get into plant leaves and feed on the plant’s fluids. If you want to deal with lace bugs, try using organic sprays like the ones mentioned earlier in this article. Remember that if you decide to use harsh pesticides, they might be causing environmental damage and leave you with bigger problems than pests later on down the road.

Summer Landscaping Pest #4 – Scale Insects

If you head outside to work on your landscaping in the summer and notice colored bumps on your plant’s stems, leaves, and fruit, it’s probably this summer landscaping pest. Scale insects are particularly annoying because they produce sticky honeydew that can lead to black mold, another serious landscaping pest. Other signs of scale insects include when a plant is water-stressed and has yellow leaves.

The best way to deal with scale insects in the summer is to try to attract beneficial insects that like to feed on scale insects. Sprays don’t typically work when trying to get rid of scale insects, so keep that in mind before trying to coat them with a spray.

Prepare for Battle

Every landscaper will need to deal with summer landscaping pests at some point. The question is how you will handle your issues. Remember that you can always explore using organic sprays and natural pest-repellants before you go into the heavy-duty pesticides which can be very harmful to the environment. Part of dealing with summer landscaping pests the right way is knowing which ones to look out for. We hope that this article has given you some valuable insight into the most common pests you should watch out for this summer. Remember to reach out to Cal Blend Soils if you have any questions about landscaping or if you’d like to purchase our landscaping supplies at the best prices on the market.