Common garden pests
Every garden gets pests; it is part of growing. The goal is not to wipe them out but to keep them in balance so your plants thrive. Start with healthy plants and a little prevention, work with nature's own pest controllers, and reach for barriers before you think about spraying.
Reading the damage
What you see | Who it probably is |
|---|---|
Ragged holes and silvery slime trails | slugs and snails |
Sticky, curling leaves covered in tiny insects | aphids |
Neat holes in brassica leaves | caterpillars |
Whole seedlings gone overnight | birds or slugs |
Catching it early makes everything easier.
The big pests and what to do
Slugs and snails. Go out at dusk or after rain and pick them off. Protect seedlings with barriers of grit, copper or wool, and keep beds tidy so they have fewer hiding places.
Aphids. Squash them or blast them off with a jet of water. Encourage ladybirds and lacewings, which eat them by the dozen. Avoid sprays that kill those helpers too.
Caterpillars. Net brassicas so butterflies cannot lay, and pick off any caterpillars you find. Check leaf undersides for eggs.
Birds. Cover seedlings and soft fruit with netting or fleece until they are established.
Carrot and onion fly. Grow under fine mesh and rotate where you plant each year.
Prevention comes first
A strong, well-grown plant shrugs off pests that would overwhelm a weak one, so start with good soil and well-hardened seedlings.
Welcome the helpers: ladybirds, lacewings, hoverflies, birds and frogs all eat pests. Grow flowers among your crops and leave a few wild corners.
Protect vulnerable young plants with fleece or netting, and clear away hiding places.
Why we skip the sprays
Broad sprays kill the good insects along with the bad, and then you are on a treadmill: fewer natural predators means more pests next year.
Barriers, hand-picking and natural predators handle most problems. For a chemical-free patch you can also grow organic seed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop slugs without pellets? Pick them off at night, use grit or copper barriers, and encourage frogs and birds.
Are all bugs bad? No. Most are harmless or helpful. Ladybirds, bees and hoverflies are friends — protect them.
What eats aphids? Ladybirds and lacewings especially. Grow flowers nearby to attract them.
Do I need chemical sprays? Rarely. Prevention, barriers and natural predators handle most problems.
Keep an eye on Preventing plant diseases too: pest damage often opens the door to disease.
The full version of this guide is on seedschoice.com.
For a healthy garden
- Green manures for better soil
- Organic green manures
- Bee-friendly flowers
- Vegetables you can sow this month
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Updated on: 05/10/2026
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