These are the bugs you don’t want in the garden

Gardening experts have revealed the five bugs green-fingered Brits don’t want in the garden this summer.

The team at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have identified some of the most annoying insects and some useful advice on how to get rid of them.

Bugs love plants and while there can be many beneficial species to have in the garden, others can ruin and even kill the crop.

Among those to watch out for are aphids which can be found over flowers and vegetables, cutworms which munch on stems under the soil and caterpillars which love chewing leaves.

A spokesperson from GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “Some insects like bees and ladybirds are beneficial to the garden but there are some which can be a complete nuisance.

“Unfortunately, once the damage is done, it’s pretty much irreversible which makes all the time spent on gardening feel as though it’s just gone to waste.

“It can be really frustrating if this happens which is why it’s beneficial to know which bugs can be a nuisance and how to get them under control.”

Here are GardenBuildingDirect.co.uk’s list of bugs to keep out of the garden:

1. Aphids

These pests tend to be attracted to most plants, flowers and vegetables and can be a very common problem. Aphids suck on plants, causing distortion which means leaves eventually weaken and fall off. When sucking on plants they also form honeydew which supports and encourages mould growth.

Try spraying your garden with water daily, using garlic repellent spray and trying insecticidal soap to deter aphids. 

2. Cutworms

Cutworms are fat, long insects which tend to eat stems underneath the soil, killing the plant. They’re usually active at night which means you won’t be able to easily spot them. Check your garden for cutworms by turning over some soil and seeing if they’re underneath.

To keep them away, apply a controlling product in the evening before they come out to feed on your plants. Or try creating collars for the stems using cardboard to prevent the insect from accessing the plant.

3. Caterpillars

Like aphids, caterpillars like most vegetables and flowers and shady trees. They tend to feast and chew on leaves leaving them with big holes. It’s worth checking plants regularly for eggs to avoid further infestation and damage.

Top tips for keeping them at bay include spraying plants with soap and water, using neem oil and making your own garlic and pepper spray.

4. Slugs and Snails

Slugs and snails are every gardener’s biggest nuisance and a common issue. These insects tend to avoid any crops that are a bit rough in texture and instead go for fruits like strawberries and tomatoes.

There are lots of ways to get rid of slugs and snails including scattering broken egg shells around your crop and laying down coffee grounds.

5. Wireworms

Wireworms sit underneath the soil and eat the insides of seeds and the roots of plants. This means plants may begin to grow poorly from the start of their journey.

To keep these at bay, try cutting a potato into pieces and placing a skewer into each piece. Bury them into the ground, around three inches deep and change the potato pieces every few days.