Watch out! These are the terrible insects that will eat your beautiful flowers.
Yikes! Did someone say insects? Among other critters, some insects do more damage than good to your flowers, and the worst part is that it is also pretty hard to get rid of them. And it’s so annoying, especially for those enthusiast gardeners who desire to grow and nurture beautiful flowers.
Although garden plants have been known to be damaged by wildlife browsing in the area, insects that feed on flowers pose a greater threat. Although many species are easily recognizable, some may require further investigation or could be difficult to identify. Having more knowledge about the most common bugs will help you more accurately identify and treat plants before they are all gone.
Find out which bugs are eating your lovely blooms by reading about them, as well as tips on keeping them out of your garden.
Leafhoppers
At first glance, these bugs look pretty interesting, mostly because of the colors on their back. However, this visual spectacle ends when you notice them hopping from one plant to another just to feed and destroy the leaves.
These critters hide behind the petals of your flowers and under the leaves of plants, feeding on the sap of each species. If a lot of the pests are present in the garden, flowers that have been harmed in this way could even become bent or show symptoms of spotting.
You won’t like that, but to get rid of leafhoppers, you must also get rid of the damaged flowers. There is no possible way to save it anymore, but if you remove it, there is a chance to save the others next to it. The best way to make them stay away is by sprinkling diatomaceous earth over the soil and reapplying the solution after every rain.
However, if you suspect your garden is invaded by these bugs, it is better to use an insecticide, preferably one with fewer chemicals.
Earwigs
Earwigs are among the typical bugs that consume flowers, which sometimes leaves gardeners wondering how to safeguard the delicate blossoms on their plants. Earwigs hide throughout the day, usually hiding deep in the folds of flower petals or in wet areas. These insects start feeding on organic materials at night, and in a short amount of time, they will severely harm blooms like dahlias, zinnias, and roses.
Pillbugs
When it comes to insects that will eat your beautiful flowers, pillbugs are one of the easiest to identify. Pillbugs, sometimes called sow bugs, live in decomposing plant materials. These earth-dwelling crustaceans tend to appear in large numbers in potting mixes and compost.
Although seeing these unusual critters in planters and flower beds may worry you, compared to other bugs on the list, they don’t actually damage the bloom of your plants. However, damage to groundcovers and other low-growing plants might indicate sporadic eating, so it’s wise to keep an eye out for them.
Same as the leafhoppers, you can easily exterminate pillbugs by sprinkling diatomaceous earth over the soil.
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Weevil
Most of these bugs prefer flowers with big blooms because they will hide in them, but there are still some that are likely to be found near the roots. The most noticeable indication of weevil damage is the presence of crescent- or circle-shaped holes in the petals.
Similar to earwigs, weevil damage can be challenging to spot since the insect usually munches on the plant during the night. Experts advise physically removing them from the plants following the application of a chemical control treatment designed specifically to combat vine weevil infestations. Do that on warm evenings around dusk before they have a slight chance of getting on the flowers.
Japanese beetles
Do you see it? How much does it enjoy munching on that beautiful bloom? These glossy bugs are a serious threat to your garden. With the speed of a Japanese train, they’re able to cause severe damage to both leaves and flowers, and if you fail to notice the issue, most likely they will spread all over the garden, and by the end of the season everything will be a mess.
Mealybugs
Since these annoying bugs are barely 3/16 inches long and move very slowly, they don’t get much attention. However, you have a mealybug if you’re lucky and you happen to spot white, fuzzy growth on plants. Molds are produced by the honeydew they expel. Mold weakens plants and increases their susceptibility to garden pests when it grows to a point where it inhibits photosynthesis on leaves.
To get rid of these insects, experts advise using neem oil directly on their clusters.
Rose chafers
Although this species is technically classified as a beetle, gardener enthusiasts will be very angry when they discover that their favorite flowers are being devoured. Rose chafers can also consume other plants. Geraniums, peonies, and dahlias are some of their most popular targets. Due to the beetle’s scarcity of natural predators, extensive infestations can totally defoliate plants and destroy all of their blossoms.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars feed on a wide variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals, but they also love to feed on your flowers. Moths and butterflies are formed from caterpillars. Their appearances might vary greatly. While some are hairy and have spines on their bodies, many are smooth with few hairs and have patterns or stripes.
Although they may seem similar, sawflies and caterpillars are not the same thing. Counting the prolegs is the best way to distinguish between the two. It’s imperative to eradicate this insect before it’s too late, even if it can’t actually harm the plant.
Since smaller caterpillars are simpler to eliminate, be sure to keep a watch on your garden and spot them as soon as you can.
Bottom line:
If by any chance you discover one or two bugs like those mentioned above, first of all, don’t panic! None of them won’t kill your flowers that fast, so there is a solution to your problem. Second, make sure you have some insecticide sprays or insecticidal soaps in the garage to be sure you will handle the situation properly. Keep in mind that for larger insects and those that feed during the day, handpicking is an especially good alternative.
I’m a gardener myself, so I suggest holding off on buying an insecticide bottle—or at the very least, make sure the one you choose doesn’t contain an excessive amount of chemicals. Strange as it may sound, many of the insects are resistant to these substances.
Speak with a nearby garden center if you’re unsure about what’s best for your plants and don’t want to do them any harm. Given their expertise in the field, they will undoubtedly provide more support and comprehensive guidance on the safe handling of all substances.
You may also be interested in reading about Solutions for Ant Problems in Houseplants.
