Friend or Foe? 5 Garden Pests and 3 Beneficial Bugs Every Gardener Should Know
One of my favourite parts of working at Bradford Greenhouses is helping customers solve garden mysteries.
In June, one of the most common questions we hear is, "What's eating my plants?" While some insects can cause damage, many others are actually helping your garden thrive.
Knowing the difference between a garden pest and a beneficial insect can save you time, money and frustration throughout the growing season.
This week, we're highlighting five insects to watch for in June and three beneficial bugs that deserve a place in every healthy garden.
Happy Gardening,
– Jacob
Five Pests Every Gardener Should Look Out For
1. Box Tree Moth
Boxwood shrubs have become a favourite landscape plant across Ontario, but they now face a serious threat from the invasive Box Tree Moth.
The caterpillars feed aggressively on leaves and can strip an entire shrub in a surprisingly short period of time.
Signs of Damage
Garden Tip
Don't just look at the outside of the shrub. Open the branches and inspect the interior where caterpillars often hide.
Control with: Safer’s BTK
2. Aphids
Aphids may be tiny, but they reproduce incredibly quickly.
These soft-bodied insects gather on tender new growth and suck sap from plants.
Signs of Damage
Garden Tip
A strong blast from a garden hose is often enough to knock populations down naturally.
Control with: Insecticidal Soap or Bug B Gon
3. Cabbage Moths
Those pretty white butterflies floating through the vegetable garden may look harmless, but they can spell trouble for cabbage, broccoli, kale and cauliflower.
The butterflies lay eggs which hatch into hungry green caterpillars.
Signs of Damage
Garden Tip
Check the undersides of leaves every few days and remove caterpillars before populations grow.
Control Caterpillars with Safer’s BTK
4. June Beetles
June Beetles earn their name because they emerge during early summer.
Adults feed on tree and shrub foliage while their larvae live underground as grubs.
Signs of Damage
Garden Tip
Healthy lawns with strong root systems tolerate grub feeding much better than stressed turf.
Control Grubs with Nematodes or Grub B Gon
5. Red Lily Beetle
If you grow lilies, this bright red insect is one you'll want to know.
Red Lily Beetles and their larvae can quickly damage beautiful Asiatic and Oriental lilies.
Signs of Damage
Garden Tip
Hand-picking adults remains one of the most effective control methods for home gardeners.
Three Bugs Every Gardener Should Celebrate
Ladybugs
Ladybugs are aphid-eating machines.
An adult ladybug can consume dozens of aphids each day, making them one of the most valuable natural pest controls in the garden.
Praying Mantids
Praying mantids are fascinating predators that feed on many common garden pests.
Their camouflage allows them to sit patiently among flowers and foliage waiting for prey.
Ground Beetles
Most gardeners never notice these hardworking insects because they are active at night.
Ground beetles help control:
- Slugs
- Cutworms
- Caterpillars
- Soil-dwelling pests
They are an important part of a healthy garden ecosystem.
A Balanced Garden is a Healthy Garden
The goal isn't to have a bug-free garden.
The goal is to have a healthy garden ecosystem where beneficial insects help keep pest populations under control naturally.
Before reaching for a pesticide, take a moment to identify the insect you're seeing. Many of the bugs visiting your garden may actually be helping you.
If you're unsure what insect is affecting your plants, bring a photo—or even a leaf sample—into Bradford Greenhouses. Our gardening team can help identify the problem and recommend the best solution for your garden. Just put your infected leaves in a sealed bag or container - we don’t want it to spread!!!
Happy Gardening!
– The Bradford Greenhouses Team
