Common Summer Pests

Pest Roll Call: The Most Common Summer Garden Pests (And How to Control Them Without Chemicals)

When you choose to grow a pesticide-free garden, pests come with the territory. It’s not a matter of if you’ll encounter them, it’s a matter of when. And that’s okay! Chemical-free gardening is all about working with nature, not against it. That means staying observant, proactive, and supporting your plants with the right beneficial insects when pests show up.

At NaturesGoodGuys, we believe every pest problem has a natural solution. Whether you’re growing veggies, ornamentals, herbs, or fruit trees, this guide will help you identify the most common summer garden pests and show you how to manage them effectively using beneficial insects and other natural solutions.

1. Aphids

What They Do

Small, soft-bodied insects that suck plant sap, causing leaves to curl, yellow, and distort. They also attract ants and encourage mold growth.

Natural Solutions

General Predators

• Ladybugs – Control aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, mites, thrips & more.
  
  
• Green Lacewing Larvae – Control aphids, small caterpillars, mealybugs, whiteflies, mites, scale, thrips & more.
  
  
• Orius insidiosus (Minute Pirate Bug) – Targets all life stages of thrips, mites, moth eggs, aphids & more.

Specialized Predators

• Aphidius colemani – One of the most effective biological controls for aphids, especially   in greenhouses or indoor grow setups. These tiny parasitoids create a self-replicating system         by laying eggs inside aphids, mummifying them.
  
  
• Aphidoletes aphidimyza  – Their larvae are voracious predators that seek out aphids even in tight, hidden spaces that other predators can’t reach.

Physical/Mechanical Control

• Yellow Sticky Traps – Monitor and detect infestations early.
  
  
• Beneficial Insect Netting – Keep good bugs in and bad bugs out.
  
  
• Diatomaceous Earth – Helps create unfavorable conditions for soft-bodied pests.

2. Spider Mites

What They Do

Microscopic arachnids that thrive in heat and dry air. They feed on leaf undersides, causing speckling, yellowing, and webbing.

Natural Solutions

General Predators

• Ladybugs – Control aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, mites, thrips & more.
  
  
• Green Lacewing Larvae – Control aphids, small caterpillars, mealybugs, whiteflies, mites, scale, thrips & more.
  
  
• Orius insidiosus (Minute Pirate Bug) – Targets all life stages of thrips, mites, moth eggs, aphids & more.

Specialized Predators

Predatory mites provide a natural and effective solution for spider mite infestations in gardens, greenhouses, or grow rooms. Recommended species include:

• Phytoseiulus persimilis – Two-spotted spider mite specialist.
  
  
• Neoseiulus californicus – Generalist that tolerates high heats.
  
  
• Amblyseius andersoni – Generalist predator that tolerates high heats.
  
  
• Amblyseius swirskii – Spider mite, thrips, and whitefly control.
  
  
• Amblyseius cucumeris – Thrips & spider mite preventative control.
  
  
• Neoseiulus fallacis – Survives cooler climates and catches mites in hibernation.
  
  
• Special Blend Spider Mite Control – A mix of species to provide maximum spider mite control.

Application Tip

3. Caterpillars & Moths

(e.g., cabbage loopers, tomato hornworms, cut worms, fruit worms, and more)

 What They Do

Leaf-chewing larvae that can defoliate plants rapidly.

Natural Solutions

Specialized Predators

• Release Trichogramma Wasps – Tiny parasitoids that target moth eggs before they hatch.
  
  
• Green Lacewings and Beneficial Nematodes – Apply early and regularly to control caterpillar larvae and soil-dwelling stages.
  

Physical/Mechanical Control

• Use traps to monitor adult moths and reduce egg-laying activity (suitable for both indoor and outdoor use).
  
  
• As a last resort, apply Btk sprays or neem oil (NATRIA or Harris Neem Oil) to target caterpillars. 

4. Whiteflies

What They Do

Tiny flying insects that feed on plant sap, causing leaf yellowing, wilting, and mold due to honeydew excretion.

Natural Solutions

• Encarsia formosa – Ideal for light infestations in greenhouses or indoor spaces.
  
  
• Delphastus pusillus and Eretmocerus eremicus – Effective for moderate to heavy infestations.
  
  
• Amblyseius swirskii – A preventative predator.
  
  

Physical/Mechanical Control

• Yellow Sticky Traps – Monitor and reduce adult populations.
  

5. Cucumber Beetles 

What They Do

Small beetles that chew leaves, stems, and fruit—while also spreading bacterial wilt and mosaic virus.

Natural Solutions

General Predators

• Ladybugs
  
  
• Green Lacewing Larvae

Targeted Control

• Beneficial Nematodes – Applied to soil to target eggs and larvae.

Mechanical/Physical Control

• Cucumber Beetle Traps & Lures – Attract and capture adult beetles.
  
  
• Beneficial Insect Netting – Prevents adult beetles from accessing plants.
  
  
• Diatomaceous Earth – Apply around the base of plants as a deterrent.

6. Leafminers

What They Do

Larvae that tunnel inside leaves, leaving squiggly trails. Damage is usually cosmetic, but can cause leaf drop if uncontrolled.

Natural Solutions

• Blue Sticky Traps – Help monitor for early signs.
  
  
• Diglyphus isaea – A parasitic wasp that targets larvae.
  
  
• Triple Blend Beneficial Nematodes – Apply to soil to control eggs and pupae.

7. Earwigs

What They Do

Nocturnal feeders that chew on leaves, petals, and fruit. They can help control pests, but large numbers can cause damage.

Natural Solutions

• Diatomaceous Earth – Apply near base of plants to deter crawling pests.
  
  
• Sluggo Plus – for more aggressive control.

8. Squash Bugs

What They Do

Brown, shield-shaped bugs that pierce and feed on squash, zucchini, pumpkin, and melon vines—causing wilting, yellowing, and plant collapse.

Natural Solutions

• Hand-pick eggs, nymphs, and adults (use tape to remove eggs gently).
  
  
• Vacuum bugs off plants for a non-chemical removal option.
  
  
• Dispose of pests in soapy water.
  
  
• Beneficial Nematodes (SF or HB) – Apply to soil early to target overwintering stages.

9. Grubs (Lawn Beetle Larvae)

What They Do

These are the larvae stage of beetles (including Japanese beetles and May/June Beetles). They feed on grassroots and can damage lawns and garden beds. 

Natural Solutions

• Beneficial Nematodes (HB, SC, or SF) – Apply to soil to control grubs effectively. 

IPM Tip

Grubs are a key target in early spring and late summer. Incorporate mechanical controls by removing adult beetles when spotted (e.g., Japanese beetles), and scout for grubs in the soil. Applying Beneficial Nematodes in spring and fall ensures seasonal coverage in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach.

10. Mealybugs

What They Do

Cottony, sap-sucking insects that hide in plant joints and leaf undersides. They weaken plants and leave behind sticky honeydew. 

Natural Solutions

• Mealybug Destroyer Beetles (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) – Highly specialized predator for mealybug infestations.
  
  
• Ladybugs, Green Lacewing Larvae, and Orius insidiosus – Offer broader control support for a variety of soft-bodied pests.

Work With Nature, Not Against It

Seeing damage in your garden can be frustrating, but remember that pests are a normal part of any healthy ecosystem. The key is not to get discouraged. With the right strategies (and the right bugs on your side), you can protect your plants, support pollinators, and grow strong, resilient gardens without reaching for harsh chemicals. Here’s to healthy plants, thriving soil, and letting the good bugs do the work!