Q: How do I know insects are damaging my plants?
A: Don't immediately assume that insects are causing plant damage. There are many things that cause plants to look unhealthy, including nutrition, disease, temperature, moisture, or some other environmental factor.

Q: Should I be concerned about insects I see in my garden?
A: Most insects are not pests. In fact, many insects you see in the garden are good to have around. Bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and spiders are all 'good bugs.' If you see them you should be happy instead of looking for a can of insecticide. When you see insects actually eating or damaging your plants it's pretty safe to say that the insect is a pest.

Q: How can I stop caterpillars from eating my plants?
A: If they are feeding on your vegetables then you will want to be careful to use a pesticide that is very safe for people. You can control caterpillars with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). Bt is safe for humans, pets and other animals.

Q: How can I stop slugs from eating my plants?
A: Slugs and snails aren't insects but they can do a lot of damage. They will eat all of the leaves off small transplants or other tender plants. Oftentimes you won't know slugs are doing the damage because they hide during the day. In order to get rid of slugs you can create traps for them using boards or newspaper — check under the surface each morning and destroy the pests that are there. Sprinkling salt on the slugs is effective but it increases soil salinity so it isn't always a good idea. Stale beer in a shallow container will also work, but will only attract slugs in a small area. You can place a barrier of copper flashing around plants to deter slugs. You can also use slug bait that contains iron phosphate to control slugs.

Q: There are grubs in my lawn. How do I get rid of them?
A: Before you put down an insecticide to control grubs in your lawn you should know how many grubs you have per square foot of grass. Don't put down an insecticide unless there are 8-10 or more grubs per square foot. If you plan to use a chemical that contains imidacloprid then you need to treat the lawn before beetles lay their eggs in late June or early July. Grubs only eat at certain times of the year, so you have to be sure that the grubs are feeding when you put the pesticide down. Ask your local garden store for tips on treating slugs in your area.

Q: How do I get rid of Japanese beetles in my garden?
A: Japanese beetles are a problem as larvae and as adults, when they eat roses, zinnias, cannas, and many other flowering plants. The popular Japanese beetle traps are usually not effective for pest control. It is a good idea to control Japanese beetles as you would grubs in the soil. Bacillus popillae Dutky, bacteria that you put down in the soil, is worth looking into for controlling problems with grubs. You can hand-pick the adults off the plants and put them in soapy water to kill them.

Q: How do I get aphids off my plants?
A: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that put their straw-like mouthparts into a plant and suck out plant juices. Aphids are often green, but can also be clear, yellow, black or almost any other color. These insects can reproduce quickly, so you will often see many of them feeding on a plant. Ladybugs and several other insects feed on aphids, so encourage them to live in your garden! Another safe way to get rid of aphids is to douse the plant with insecticidal soap.