Pests are a part of life for many a gardener. They say that opposites attract, and while that probably makes for an unstable relationship, in the garden, some of the most beautiful plants may just be a beacon for unsavory pests.
The roses in your garden might be more susceptible to pests, but that doesn’t mean that you stop growing them. The careful garden knows that good things require patience, hard work, and dedication, even if it may be unpleasant to endure. As for the casual gardener, below are a few plants that can attract more pests than you’d expect. On the upside, some of these offenders can be used as sacrificial crops to discourage pests from ransacking your plants.
Ways to Protect Your Crops Against Pests
Barriers like gopher nets can deter burrowing pests from entering your garden. You can also put a row cover to protect your crops from unwanted visitors. Trap crops such as marigolds and nasturtiums will help deter away pests like aphids, sacrificing themselves in the process.
Holistic Pest Management
Holistic pest management calls for natural methods to fight pests, without the use of chemicals that can cause harm. Sometimes, it’s necessary to fight fire with fire – plants like dill, fennel, and sweet alyssum encourage beneficial predators to prey on pests.
1. Bamboo
A tenacious grower, bamboo is known for its regal, mysterious look. But certain species of bamboo are invasive, and even non-spreading varieties can be affected by spider mites and scale. Snakes can dwell in the dense netting of leaves, and the hollow stalks of bamboo have been known to retain water and harbor mosquitos.
2. Roses
People love roses, but so do a host of pests, including Japanese beetles, spider mites, aphids, and thrips. Growing beneficial companion plants can ward off some of these pests, as well as planting roses in soil with good drainage. Use a soapy spray to get rid of aphids, the most common culprit, or in some cases, a forceful spray of water can dislodge them. Some gardeners will squish aphids between their fingers – and while that may make some feel queasy – it’s very effective.
3. Water Lilies
Stagnant water, the habitat for water lilies, is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. To combat the problem, mosquito dunks, water movement, and natural wildlife such as frogs will help. Frogs are preferred over fish, as they tend to require a lot of filtration, and there’s a possibility that they will eat beneficial wildlife.
4. Citrus Trees
Although citrus fruit is generally not the top choice for foraging rats, the roof rat, also known as the black rat, is an opportunistic varmint that will leave large holes in citruses. The more fruit trees you have, the greater the chance you will encounter one of them. Roof rats often shelter in attics, hence their name, and will infiltrate your home should your tree be planted too close to the roofline. Specialized planters designed for citrus growing will deter pests, preventing them from burrowing and nesting.
5. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are often grown as trap crops, so don’t be surprised to see a caterpillar lounging on their leaves. They also attract an abundance of aphids away from brassicas – the leaves may look raggedy, but the good news is that your crops will remain untouched.
6. English Ivy
The lush, trailing leaves may seem like something from a storybook, but English ivy is a menace to contend with. While not the same as poison ivy, English ivy is also poisonous, containing toxic compounds that can cause skin irritation, vomiting, and allergic reactions. In addition, it grows in dense thickets, creating a safe harbor for spiders, snakes, rodents, and other unwanted critters.
7. Cabbage and Other Brassicas
Cabbage is one of these crops that seem to be a free-for-all from a long list of pests: cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, and aphids. Covering plants with row covers and growing aromatic plants like sage that will attract beneficial insects are some practices that can hinder pests, although infestations might require more stringent methods. Bacillus thurengiensis v. kurstaki (Btk) is suggested when dealing with caterpillars.
8. Radishes
Many people don’t care for radishes, which is why some gardeners choose to grow them as trap crops to trap destructive insects. Slugs, flea beetles, aphids and cabbage loopers are partial to radishes. A little-known fact is that radishes produce surprisingly lovely pink flowers, and its seed pods are edible.
9. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are stately flowers whose tendency to attract pests is overshadowed by their large, sunny blooms. Although weevils and moths are attracted to sunflowers, these plants also attract beneficial insects like bees and assassin bugs, which helps keep pest populations in check. Wasps will chew on sunflowers to glean the cellulose from the stems to use in nest-building.
10. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a favorite of the culinary world, but are also a troubling hotspot for pests. Aphids, hornworms and spider mites are notorious pests that can wreak havoc among your tomato crops if left unchecked. They say that forewarned is forearmed, and the best way to prevent infestations is to keep an eye out for signs of pests.
11. Hostas
Lurking in the damp, shaded earth, snails and slugs can easily decimate the once lush leaves of hostas. To keep slugs away from your hostas, try putting up barriers or using copper banding. Consider purchasing thick-leaved varieties, such as Francee Hosta, as they will be less appealing to slugs, or growing radishes as a protective barrier around garden beds with hostas.
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