Creating a desert garden adds color and beauty to your landscaping design; many desert plants also produce fruits, vegetables, or seeds that can be harvested and added to your daily meals. However, garden plants are often susceptible to pests, which can affect the appearance, health, and yield of your garden. If you are having pest problems in your garden or yard, your Tucson landscaping company can help you take steps to protect your landscaping from harm.
Aphids
Wingless potato aphids are a common desert pest that typically appears green or pink in color, with a darker dorsal stripe running across the body. These insects primarily cause damage to garden plants by carrying and spreading disease, although large infestations can also weaken plants due to excessive feeding as well. Fortunately, there are several remedies to control or prevent aphid infestations, including ladybugs, weed control, and targeted sprays for severe infestations.
Tomato Hornworms
Tomato hornworms are a type of caterpillar with a forked or “horned” tail; these insects can become a problem when populations explode quickly, putting garden plants at risk from these insects’ voracious feeding habits. The best ways to reduce tomato hornworms and the problems they cause include managing weeds, handpicking caterpillars from affected plants, and tilling the soil after harvesting to eliminate caterpillars or pupae that may remain in the soil.
Leafhopper
Leafhoppers are small wedge-shaped insects that feed by sucking the juices out of plant leaves, causing extensive leaf damage and potentially spreading viruses that can weaken or kill desert garden plants. Some of the most effective leafhopper control methods include sprinkling your garden with diatomaceous earth or treating affected plants with insecticidal soap to reduce populations and protect your garden.
Complete Landscaping, Inc. is dedicated to helping you cultivate beautiful desert landscaping to complement the look of your home. We also offer pest control and irrigation services to protect and maintain your investment. You can reach our landscaping company today by phone at (520) 323-8918, or take a look through our website for more details about our services and affiliations.