It’s easy to take the health of our strong and sturdy shrubs for granted, but shrubs are vulnerable to a range of pests. Lawncare spraying in Arlington and other services can help keep your lawn, trees, and shrubs safe from pests. Learn more about common pests that affect shrubs, the problems they cause, and how the team at Trees Hurt Too Inc. can help keep your shrubs healthy and pest-free with effective pest control in Arlington.
Types Of Pests That Commonly Infest Shrubbery
Unfortunately, shrubs are not immune to pests. Various pests will infest shrubbery and cause damage to them. These include borers, scales, and aphids.
Borers lay eggs on shrubs and trees. When the eggs hatch, the larvae begin feeding on the shrub, which can harm the shrub over time. Scales are small insects that have a covering that looks like an individual fish or lizard scale, hence their name. Scales attach to shrubs and suck out plant sap using their specialized mouthparts. Aphids similarly feed on plant sap and excrete a waste product called honeydew that can attract other insects like ants.
Pests In Your Shrubs Can Lead To Bigger Problems
Pests in Arlington like scales, borers, and aphids can damage your shrubs if left to their own devices. Each of these pests feeds on the plant, and this can be detrimental to the health of the plant over time. In some cases, this can even lead to the death of the shrub.
Both scales and aphids excrete honeydew, which can lead to the growth of sooty mold. Sooty mold is a black fungus that is not only unsightly, it can also disrupt photosynthesis and lead to the yellowing of the leaves. Honeydew is also a food source for some insects, including ants. This can lead to a secondary pest problem on your property. Keeping your shrubs healthy and free of pests can help you to avoid these issues.
Four Practical Tips To Prevent Pests In Your Shrubs
The best solution to keeping your shrubs and home safe from pests is to contact a lawn care service professional or Arlington pest control professional. However, here are some other ways that can help keep your shrubs safe.
- Trim your shrubs regularly to encourage growth and prevent pests from infesting. The larger your shrubs get and the less they’re trimmed, the more pests will feel safe inside them.
- Use physical barriers to keep insects away, such as garden boxes or plant covers. Shrubs are infested because it’s the path of least resistance for pests, so add difficulty to it.
- Remove weeds from around your shrubs. Weeds can harbor and attract aphids and other pests, but proper weed control can help.
- Use a hose with strong water pressure to knock pests off your shrubs. This can also help to wash off any honeydew or sooty mold that has accumulated.
While these measures can help you prevent an infestation from starting, it’s in your best interest to know when your shrubs need professional care.
The Best Way To Protect Your Shrubs And Lawn From Invasive Pests
Lawn maintenance service professionals have the training, experience, and products to provide you with the best protection for your shrubbery. At Trees Hurt Too Inc., we offer services to keep your lawn and plants beautiful and safe from pests, weeds, and any other lawn care nightmare you may have. If you need lawn or shrub pest control in Arlington, contact the licensed plant health care professionals at Trees Hurt Too Inc. for a free consultation.
