No way around it, Texas gardeners have their work cut out for them when it comes to pesky pests. Austin’s warm and humid subtropical climate is a breeding ground for unwelcome garden guests. But don’t let them ruin your gardening experience. With a bit of vigilance and knowledge of the worst garden pests in Austin, you can keep them at bay.
Identifying the Worst Garden Pests in Austin
Since Austin’s climate presents a virtually year-round environment for pests, it’s important to be aware of which ones are the worst garden pests in Austin.
Knowing what you’re up against can help you plan for prevention and know when to spring into action.
1. Aphids
If you live in the Austin area, then you know just how devastating aphids can be for your garden. These tiny insects reproduce quickly and can cause lots of damage.
Aphids suck the juices out of several parts of plants, such as:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Green foliage
- Roots
As if their presence isn’t awful enough, they have the added bonus of attracting ants thanks to their “honeydew” secretion. Fortunately, they tend to have a few predators, including birds and the delightful ladybug, which can help keep them in check.
If you find yourself faced with an aphid problem, though, don’t worry. You can find effective nonchemical treatments, such as
- High-pressure water sprays
- Insecticidal soaps (soapy water)
- Botanical pesticides
These eco-friendly methods are the way to go to maintain a healthy garden. Temperature extremes, strong winds, and heavy rain can also help reduce their population.
Pro Tip To Spot Aphids: Look for aphids on the underside of leaves and along stems.
Shop for eco-friendly aphid treatments here:
2. White Grubs
White grubs are the larval stage of what Texans call June bugs, small brown beetles. They can live in the soil for up to three years, munching on grass roots and wreaking havoc.
Symptoms such as yellow patches of your lawn, thinning turf, and an increased presence of birds or armadillos in the yard indicate the possibility of an infestation. Once you see these signs, it’s time to take action.
Pro Tip: Synthetic or non-chemical pesticides work well, as does introducing beneficial nematodes that eat the grubs.
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3. Chinch Bugs
Chinch bugs are a problem for St. Augustinegrass, one of the most common grass types in Austin. These tiny bugs, black with white wings, have slender beaks which they use to suck the juice from the grass and inject toxic saliva. This causes yellow circles around brown patches, so it looks similar to turf disease or drought damage.
Pro Tip: To prevent chinch bug infestations, dethatching or using a mulching lawn mower is helpful, as are treatments like synthetic and botanical pesticides or nematodes.
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4. Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
Hailing from Asia, the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has spread to 44 US states, including Texas. These distinctive pests are just over half an inch long and have a brown topside and creamy underside that resembles a knight’s shield. As their name suggests, they also give off a nasty odor when disturbed.
Brown marmorated stink bugs damage plants by sucking the juices out, leaving behind yellowed and withered leaves.
Pro tip: Chemical pesticides and nonchemical treatments, such as neem oil, can be effective against BMSB.
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5. Leaf-Footed Bugs
Leaf-footed bugs are similar in size to BMSB and also feed on leaves and fruits. These little invaders can be found in piles of firewood, barns, and sheds and are particularly difficult to get rid of with pesticides. Your best bet is to manually remove them.
Pro tip: Chemical and nonchemical treatments, such as diatomaceous earth (DE), can be effective. If the infestation is severe, try a combination of manual control and chemical treatments.
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6. Fire Ants
Like much of Texas, Austin gets its fair share of fire ants. These powerful pests can be hazardous for humans and animals, inflicting painful stings and even death in people with allergies.
The most effective control against fire ants is a baiting program. Place the bait around or inside the mounds, or distribute it with a broadcast spreader. The poison slowly spreads throughout the ant colony, eventually killing the queen. You’ll find fire ant bait at most garden centers and hardware stores.
Pro Tips:
- To help prevent an infestation, regulate your lawn’s environment and consider using native plants.
- Keep woodpiles and plant debris cleared away, as this gives pests fewer places to hide.
Shop for fire ant baits here:
Other Austin Garden Pests
Apart from the notable pests mentioned above, homeowners in Austin may find other unwelcome visitors lurking around their gardens. As previously mentioned, it pays to know your enemy, so you can identify the source of the problem and take appropriate action.
Therefore, here is a quick list of some additional garden pests you may encounter in your yard:
Tomato Hornworm
The tomato hornworm is a caterpillar that feeds mainly on tomatoes, leaving behind telltale signs that include frayed leaves and hard droppings.
Cucumber Beetle
As the name implies, cucumber beetles are a garden pest that mostly targets cucumbers but also likes to feed on tomato and squash plants. They’re small, bright yellowish-green in color, and can quickly damage the leaves and stems of young plants.
Fortunately, there are preventative steps that you can take to reduce the chances of infestation. Choose disease-resistant plants, mulch heavily, and use trellises for your plants to keep them off the ground.
Flea Beetle
Fleas beetles are another major problem for vegetable gardens in Austin. They leave a “shotgun” pattern of foliage damage. They often carry diseases like potato blight and bacterial wilt, so they must be dealt with promptly.
For flea beetle prevention, it pays to irrigate efficiently and use companion plants like catnip, sage, and mint to ward them off. Other effective strategies include planting trap crops, such as mustard, and making your garden less hospitable by removing debris and dead plant material.
White Flies
Tiny but mighty, whiteflies also can make life difficult for gardeners in Central Texas. As their name suggests, these pests resemble tiny, white moths and reproduce quickly. Their feeding habits suck sap from leaves, causing them to turn yellow, stunting plant growth, and leaving behind a sticky substance that attracts sooty mold.
Fortunately, white flies can be controlled largely by choosing plants that are more resistant to them. Cultural practices, such as crop rotation, can also be helpful. Predators such as ladybugs and lacewings also are a great way to reduce whitefly populations.
Why Austin’s Climate Attracts Pests
Austin’s mild winters and hot, humid summers create the ideal environment for pests to thrive. From aphids and white grubs to chinch bugs and leaf-footed bugs, there is no shortage of unwelcome visitors to your garden. With the sheer number of species, it’s no wonder these pests can quickly wreak havoc on your plants and yard.
Central Texas typically sees temperatures that don’t stay too cold for long. As a result, pests remain active during the winter and never really die out. This can make it difficult to manage your garden pest problems without having to use harsh chemicals.
Therefore, the best way to protect your garden is through Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
What is IPM?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a way of controlling and monitoring pests using less intrusive methods that are better for the environment. This kind of gardening takes into account the amount of damage pests can cause and sets action thresholds accordingly.
Using IPM, you can control pests without having to resort to synthetic or botanical pesticides.
Beneficial Insects in Austin
Finally, let’s not forget about the beneficial creatures in nature. Beneficial insects like wasps, bees, and butterflies are responsible for the pollination of many plants, fertilizing them and ensuring the growth of seedlings and flowers. Spiders and ladybugs keep insect populations under control, feeding on aphids, flies, and other unwelcome garden guests.
When you see these beneficial bugs, be sure to leave them alone or encourage them by adding plants that they like or providing food sources such as bird feeders. Understand and appreciate the roles they play in your ecosystem, and your garden will no doubt flourish.
FAQ About Garden Pests in Austin
Yes, bugs can definitely be a problem in Austin, especially during the spring and summer months. Some of them, such as Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs, can cause severe damage to plants. Be sure to practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to keep these pests under control.
Some of the most common bugs in Austin, TX, include:
Chinch Bugs – Black bugs with white wings that suck the juice out of lawn turf.
Pill Bugs – A round, crab-like bug that can harm root crops.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs – A shield-like pest that gives off a nasty smell when disturbed.
Leaf-Footed Bugs – A pest that targets foliage and fruits.
Squash Bug – A sap-sucking insect that damages plant stems and fruits.
Some of the worst garden pests you can expect to plague your Austin, TX, garden include:
Aphids – Tiny insects that suck the juices out of plants
White Grubs – The larval stage of June Bugs, which can wreak havoc on grassroots
Chinch Bugs – Black bugs with white wings that damage grass turf
Leaf-footed Bugs – A pest that targets foliage and fruits
Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs – Shield-like pests that damage plants
Austin is home to a wide variety of critters, from pesky bugs to helpful creatures. Common pests in Austin include:
Termites
Bed Bugs
Cockroaches
Fleas
Mosquitoes
Rodents
Scorpions
Wildlife (raccoons, possums, etc)
Final Thoughts
Austin garden pests can be a hassle, but keeping them in check is possible with a bit of effort. The key is identifying the problem, determining the cause, and then taking appropriate action. You can keep your garden free of annoying pests with a mix of preventative measures, cultural practices, and IPM techniques.
Remember that beneficial creatures can help keep nasty bugs in check. When in doubt, seek professional help and assistance regarding pest control in Austin. Whether it’s a specific pest or a general bug problem, professionals can provide you with the right solutions.
