Many intriguing southern garden pests and tough desert plant diseases that are unlikely to occur in other parts of the nation can be found in the American Southwest due to its distinct temperature and topography.
See these Southwest pests below and discover how to manage them. If you’re unsure of the type of pest you are dealing with, Hadlow Pest Solutions in Albuquerque can help you identify and eradicate the pests that are causing harm to your home, pets, or garden.
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Insects in Southwest Gardens
In this area, you could encounter the following more prevalent southern garden pests:
Palo verde beetles
Big black or dark brown adult palo verde beetles, frequently over three inches (8 cm) in length, are these insects. Even larger are the light greenish-yellow larvae, which have brown heads. In the earth, close to the bases of trees and plants, mature beetles deposit their eggs.
The larvae (grubs) begin feeding on the root systems of various shrubs and trees, including citrus, rose, mulberry, olive, and, obviously, palo verde trees as soon as they hatch.
In the two to three years that they live, the grubs can cause a great deal of harm. With a month or so to live after emerging in the summer, the adults have enough opportunity to mate and deposit eggs. Palo verde beetle adults should be manually removed in order to manage this issue. bolster innate predators. Neem oil and beneficial nematodes could be useful.
Longhorn beetles on cacti
Cactus longhorn beetles, a shiny black insect that is frequently observed strolling leisurely on or close to cacti (https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/nature/cacti.htm), are one of the most prevalent plant pests in the desert. Their length is around one inch (2.5 cm).
Beetle females puncture stems near the base, where they deposit their eggs into the tissue. Cholla and prickly pear cactus are preferred host plants, and they risk dying from the beetles’ burrows in the stems and roots.
Pick adults away by hand to maintain control. Motivate avian species and other innate hunters. Neem oil and beneficial nematodes could be useful.
Scale of Cochineal
Despite being widespread, this little insect is endemic to the Southwest, where it mostly (but not only) feeds on cacti. Typically, scale insects are found in groups on the sheltered, shaded portions of the plant.
Crushed cochineal scale insects release a vivid crimson material known as “carmine.” The scale is shielded from other pests by carmine. Humans frequently employ colorful materials to make practical dye. If infestations are severe, control larvae (https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef017) using systemic insecticides, horticultural oil, or insecticidal soap.
Agave bugs in plants
Agave plant bugs, often referred to as runaround bugs, are tiny, swift pests that may be seen fleeing to the bottom of leaves once they are disturbed. Agave plant bugs rank quite high on the list of bothersome pests in the Southwest because agave and various other succulents can die from a severe infestation.
The bugs eat by draining the sap from the fragile leaves, and they have ravenous appetites.
Hares
Despite their adorable and cuddly appearance, rabbits can be terrible pests that ruin gardens and trees. These fuzzy animals are simply one of the many typical pests that are present in the Southwest. These are a few of the most prevalent animal and insect pests in the Southwest.
Rabbits come in many varied species, and they are all challenging to manage. They may nibble on tree bark, inflicting harm to the interior trunk as well as aesthetic damage. They also freely munch on vegetables, herbs, and flower gardens.
To keep rabbits away, install the proper fence, especially around food crops. Use trunk guards to protect your trees. Rabbits may be deterred temporarily by natural repellents such as fish emulsion, garlic spray, or hot pepper spray.
Wood Boring Beetles
The number of species of beetles exceeds 350,000.1. While certain insects, like ladybugs, are benign, others, like wood-boring beetles, can be hazardous to both healthy and unhealthy plants.
These powderpost, long-horn, deathwatch, and fake powderpost beetles are among the species of wood-boring beetles that infiltrate dwellings. They create circular, small exit holes in wood frames and furniture and lay their eggs there.
Regularly check trees and shrubs for damage and eliminate any unhealthy or diseased trees or tree branches. Use the proper product and follow the instructions. Wood-boring beetles, notably those with large horns, pose a threat to trees.
Cutworms
Unbearable cutworms are gray, about one inch long. At night, they cause havoc by feeding on plants that are young at the base or beneath the soil’s surface, which ultimately results in death.
Use a flashlight to pick out cutworms at night. Use a potent substance to treat inedible plants. To safeguard when planting fresh plants, wrap them with collars.
Conclusion
These insects can cause harm to your lawn, garden, and even inside your home, so it is quite important to be familiar with them. In case of infestation, you will know how to handle them, or better yet, call an expert to help you get rid of them.
