What’s Bugging Your Garden? 

Common Summer Pests in NWA—And What to Do About Them

When summer’s in full swing in Northwest Arkansas, so is garden life—and unfortunately, that includes pests. Aphids sucking the life out of your tomatoes, bagworms taking over your evergreens, spider mites leaving mysterious webs on your roses? We’ve all been there.

The good news? You don’t have to give up your blooms or vegetables to the bugs. Below, we’re sharing how to spot some of the most common summer pests in our area, and what to do about them—whether you're into organic sprays, encouraging beneficial bugs, or pulling out the big guns.

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Aphids

What to Look For:
Tiny green, yellow, or black bugs clustered on new plant growth. You might also see curled leaves or sticky residue (called honeydew), which can then turn your leaves black with mold.

What They Do:
Aphids suck plant sap, weakening stems and inviting mold. They multiply quickly, so early action matters.

How to Handle Them:

• Organic: Blast with a strong spray of water, apply insecticidal soap (like spinosad soap) or neem oil.
  
  
• Chemical: Use a targeted insecticide labeled for aphids like Bioadvanced 3-in-1 Insect & Mite Control.
  
  
• Alternative: Attract ladybugs—they’re natural aphid predators and love to feast! To attract ladybugs to your garden, plant pollen- and nectar-rich flowers like dill, yarrow, fennel, and marigolds. Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides, and they’ll be more likely to stick around, especially if there’s a buffet of aphids nearby.

Spider Mites

What to Look For:
Fine, dusty webbing between leaves and a yellow speckled or bronzed appearance on foliage.

What They Do:
These nearly invisible pests pierce plant cells and thrive in hot, dry weather—perfectly timed with Arkansas summers.

How to Handle Them:

• Organic: Neem oil, insecticidal soap, and frequent misting (they hate humidity).
  
  
• Chemical: Miticides work well. Use one labeled for aphids like Bioadvanced 3-in-1 Insect & Mite Control.
  
  
• Alternative: Introduce beneficial bugs like predatory mites or lady beetles. These helpful insects feed on the pests without harming your plants. You can order larvae online from specialty shops. To keep them around, plant nectar-rich flowers like yarrow, alyssum, and dill to give them a reason to stay.

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Bagworms

What to Look For:
Brown, pinecone-like sacs hanging from branches—especially on junipers, arborvitae, and cedars.

What They Do:
Caterpillars create a silken bag and munch on needles and leaves, causing browning and even plant death if left unchecked.

How to Handle Them:

• Organic: Hand-pick bags and squish before midsummer (before moths emerge). Or spray down thoroughly with Spinosad soap.
  
  
• Chemical: Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray in early larval stages.
  
  
• Alternative: Encourage birds in your garden with feeders and trees. Many feed on the larvae.

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Webworms

What to Look For:
Large silken webs that cover entire branches, mostly on pecan, walnut, and persimmon trees.

What They Do:
Larvae eat the leaves inside their webbed nests. They're unsightly but usually more cosmetic than fatal.

How to Handle Them:

• Organic: Prune off webs early and destroy them (before caterpillars emerge).
  
  
• Chemical: Insecticides can help, but only when applied directly to larvae. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray or caterpillar killer.
  
  
• Alternative: Attract parasitic wasps! They’re tiny, non-stinging wasps that lay their eggs inside or on pest insects. When the larvae hatch, they consume the host, breaking the pest’s life cycle.

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Slugs & Snails

What to Look For:
Irregular holes in leaves, especially on hostas, lettuce, and other tender plants. Look for shiny slime trails in the early morning or after rain.

What They Do:
Slugs chew on foliage and flowers, often leaving plants ragged or stunted. They feed at night and hide in damp, shady spots during the day.

How to Handle Them:

• Organic: Hand-pick at dusk or dawn and dispose of them. Create slug traps with shallow dishes of beer. Slugs are attracted, fall in, and can’t escape.
  
  
• Chemical: Use iron phosphate slug baits, like Sluggo, which are safe for pets and wildlife. Apply around the base of vulnerable plants.
  
  
• Alternative: Encourage natural predators like toads, birds, and ground beetles by maintaining a diverse garden with water sources and mulch-free zones.

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A Note on Treatment Styles

Different gardeners have different comfort levels when it comes to pest control, and that’s okay! We always recommend starting with the gentlest methods first, especially when pollinators and pets are involved. But if you’ve got a full-blown infestation, chemical controls may be the most efficient option.

Want help choosing the right solution for your garden? Just ask one of our team members next time you’re in. We’ve been battling these bugs in our own yards for years.

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Gardener’s Tip

A stressed plant is more likely to attract pests. Keep your garden healthy with proper watering, regular fertilization, and spacing that allows airflow—especially in humid Arkansas summers. A strong plant is your first line of defense.

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