Fall & Winter Pests To Be On The Lookout For!

Believe it or not, even in cooler weather, fall and winter pests can still be a problem for home gardeners. While the pest population decreases as temperatures drop, certain fall and winter pests remain active. Let’s take a closer look at the most common fall and winter pests that could affect your garden, especially cold-hardy crops like kale, cabbage, and other Brassicas.

Aphids: Persistent Fall & Winter Pests

Unfortunately, aphids are one of the persistent fall and winter pests that remain active despite the cooler weather. One common variety in the fall is the cabbage aphid, which mainly targets plants in the Brassica family, including kale, cabbage, and chard. Aphids suck the sap from plant leaves, causing yellowing, curling, and even stunted growth.

Aphids tend to hide in the folds of leaves and can overwinter in greenhouses, which means even indoor plants aren't safe. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of these pests. Aphid control is easiest when you catch the infestation early. For larger, more established plants, use a strong stream of water to blast the aphids off. For smaller or more delicate plants, gently wipe the aphids off with a damp cloth.

You can also use natural insecticidal soap or neem oil for more severe infestations. These organic solutions are safe for your plants but harsh on pests. Regularly spraying your plants will help prevent the aphids from returning.

Cabbage Loopers & Cabbage Worms: Year-Round Pests

Cabbage worms are among the most notorious fall and winter pests . These caterpillars, which hatch from eggs laid by cabbage moths, are relentless feeders that can decimate your garden if left unchecked. They particularly love plants in the Brassica family, including kale, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.

To protect your crops from these pests, check the undersides of leaves regularly for small, white eggs. These eggs typically hatch into small green caterpillars that are difficult to spot but can quickly do extensive damage to your plants. Look for chewed leaves and small green droppings, both telltale signs of an infestation.

Prevent cabbage worms by covering your plants with floating row covers or tulle fabric. These covers prevent the moths from laying their eggs directly on the plants. Just make sure to remove any caterpillars or eggs from the plant before installing the cover, so you don’t trap them underneath.

Snails & Slugs: The Nighttime Invaders

Snails and slugs are classic fall and winter pests that thrive in the cool, damp conditions typical of these seasons. These slow-moving invaders are especially active at night, feeding on a variety of leafy greens and leaving behind telltale slimy trails and ragged holes in your plant leaves.

Slug damage is easy to identify, as they tend to chew large, uneven holes along the edges of leaves. They can also lay eggs that overwinter in the soil, leading to a renewed slug problem in early spring. It’s important to control these pests before they become a year-round issue.

The best way to control snails and slugs is to hand-pick them off your plants in the evening or early morning. For larger infestations, you can set up beer traps, place copper tape around garden beds, or scatter diatomaceous earth around your plants. Slugs are soft-bodied, and diatomaceous earth acts as a natural barrier that irritates them.

Flea Beetles: Tiny Pests with Big Damage

Another common fall and winter pest is the flea beetle, which is a small, jumping insect that feeds on the leaves of various crops. They are especially fond of Brassica plants like kale and radishes. Flea beetles chew small, round holes in leaves, making them look as though they've been peppered with tiny holes.

In addition to damaging leaves, flea beetle larvae can cause significant damage to a plant’s root system, weakening or even killing young plants. They are particularly dangerous in the fall because they can overwinter in garden soil, making them a threat to next season’s crops as well.

To manage flea beetles , regularly wash your plant leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Floating row covers can also protect your plants, provided you install them before flea beetles become an issue. Make sure to rotate your crops each year to disrupt the flea beetle life cycle, and till the soil after the growing season to expose any larvae to the cold, which can help reduce their population.

Preventing Fall & Winter Pests in Your Garden

The best way to deal with fall and winter pests is through prevention. Regularly inspect your plants, especially if you’re growing cold-weather crops like kale, cabbage, or other leafy greens. Many of these pests lay eggs that overwinter in the soil, so staying vigilant is essential to reducing pest populations for the next growing season.

Consider using floating row covers to protect vulnerable plants and natural remedies like neem oil or diatomaceous earth to deter pests. Always rotate your crops to disrupt pest life cycles, and keep your garden beds clean to eliminate potential hiding places for overwintering pests.

Protect Your Garden from Fall & Winter Pests

While the cooler months may bring some relief from the more aggressive pests of summer, fall and winter pests can still cause significant damage to your garden. By staying vigilant, using natural remedies, and regularly inspecting your plants, you can keep your garden healthy and thriving throughout the cooler seasons. Don’t let these pests overwinter in your garden – take action now to protect your plants and ensure a successful harvest year-round.