Fall Pests: What to Watch For

As the season transitions into fall, a variety of pests become more active, seeking shelter and food in preparation for the colder months. These pests can pose a threat to both your garden and home, affecting the health of trees, shrubs, and other plants. Bonilla Tree Services highlights several common fall pests to watch for, along with effective strategies for managing these seasonal invaders to protect your landscape and property.

Common Fall Pests

1. Aphids

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can be green, yellow, brown, red, or black. They cluster on the undersides of leaves and stems, sucking sap and excreting sticky honeydew. This can lead to sooty mold and weakened plants.

Management: Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil for infestations.

2. Scale Insects

Scale insects attach themselves to the stems and leaves of plants, feeding on sap and weakening them. They also produce honeydew, leading to sooty mold.

Management: Prune infested branches, use horticultural oil or systemic insecticides, and promote beneficial insects.

3. Spider Mites

These tiny pests can be difficult to see but cause significant damage by feeding on plant cells. Infested leaves may appear speckled or bronzed, and severe infestations can lead to leaf drop.

Management: Increase humidity around plants, as mites thrive in dry conditions. Use miticides or insecticidal soap if necessary.

4. Japanese Beetles

In early fall, adult Japanese beetles feed on a wide range of plants, leaving skeletonized leaves. They can also damage lawns as grubs.

Management: Handpick beetles from plants, apply grub control to lawns in late summer or early fall, and consider pheromone traps placed away from the garden.

5. Fall Armyworms

These caterpillars feed on grass and can strip lawns and golf courses. They can also attack a variety of crops and ornamental plants.

Management: Apply appropriate insecticides early, while caterpillars are small. Encourage natural predators.

6. Rodents (Mice and Rats)

Rodents seek shelter as the weather cools, potentially causing damage to structures and plants.

Management: Seal entry points to buildings, keep the garden tidy to reduce hiding spots, and use traps or bait stations as needed.

Prevention and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Preventing pest problems is often more effective than treating them after they occur. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach combines cultural, biological, and chemical controls with a focus on environmental safety and sustainability:

• Cultural Controls: Maintain healthy plants through proper watering, fertilizing, and pruning practices. Choose resistant plant varieties and rotate crops in vegetable gardens.

• Biological Controls: Encourage or introduce beneficial insects and natural predators. Use biological insecticides when necessary.

• Chemical Controls: Use chemical treatments as a last resort, selecting the least harmful options to non-target species and following label instructions carefully.

Conclusion

By staying vigilant and implementing a comprehensive pest management strategy, you can protect your landscape from the challenges posed by fall pests. Bonilla Tree Services is here to provide expert advice and services to help manage pests and maintain the health and beauty of your trees and garden. Contact us for professional assistance in dealing with fall pest issues and safeguarding your outdoor space.