July’s warm temperatures can invite a host of unwanted guests to your garden. From beetles to slugs, proactive monitoring and treatment can make all the difference in protecting your plants.

1. Japanese Beetles These metallic green beetles are highly destructive, especially to roses, beans, and grape vines. They skeletonize leaves quickly and can defoliate plants.

• Control Tips: Hand-pick beetles early in the morning and drop them into soapy water. Use floating row covers on susceptible crops. Neem oil and insecticidal soap can deter them without harming beneficial insects.

2. Slugs & Snails Most active at night and during damp weather, these pests munch on hostas, lettuce, and tender seedlings.

• Control Tips: Lay down beer traps or copper tape around garden beds. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth at the base of plants or use iron phosphate pellets as a pet-safe bait.

3. Grubs Grub worms feed on grass roots, causing brown, spongy patches in your lawn. Birds and raccoons digging in your yard can be a sign.

• Control Tips: July is the best time to apply beneficial nematodes or milky spore to control grubs before they mature. Choose natural treatments to protect pollinators.

4. Aphids & Mites Clusters of small insects on stems or leaves can indicate aphids or spider mites. They suck plant sap and weaken growth.

• Control Tips: A strong blast of water can dislodge them. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil for heavier infestations. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings, which are natural predators.

5. Preventive Practices

• Keep plants healthy through proper watering and feeding—they’re more pest-resistant.
• Regularly inspect the underside of leaves and stem joints.
• Use companion planting—marigolds and nasturtiums repel many pests naturally.

Visit Thomas Greenhouse & Gardens Need help identifying a pest or choosing the right product? Bring in a photo or sample and our garden pros will help you find a safe, effective solution.

Protect your garden and enjoy a lush, pest-free summer!