Pests that can be affecting your plants 5

Story: Annmarie H.

1. Aphids

Aphids pose the highest threat for any green herbaceous plants. This pest is a very tiny, round insect that can fly. It comes in green, gray, or black color and prefers living in small colonies on the underside of leaves. The pest attacks the leaves and stems of green plants, sucking all the nutrients out of the plant. After suffering such an assault, plants are usually discolored. They change their pigmentation to a yellow or brown pigment and shortly afterward die.

2. Whiteflies

These pests look a lot like the moth. They are small powdery, white insect-like creatures with wings. They spell disaster for the welfare of plants. Like the aphid, the whitefly is known to attack the leaves and stems of plants. They suck nutrients out of the plants leaving brown or yellow spots behind.

3. Thrips

These are yellow, brown, or black pests that destroy plants as soon as they find them. They attack the leaves, stems, and flowers of a plant. Thrips also bore into plant stems and lays their eggs within.

4. Spider Mites

Just like their name suggests, the spider mite looks a lot like the spider, save for the fact that it is the size of a pinhead. Its tiny size, however, should not fool you. Though small, this pest causes a lot of damage to plants. It sucks away at the nutrients from a plant leaving it to die.

5. Fungus Gnats

These are arguably the most dangerous pests to exists. Adult fungus gnats pose no threat to plants. Their larvae, however, are the most vicious creatures to ever exist. They are cutters. The larvae normally feed on plant roots. It cuts away at the tender roots of a plant, killing it instantly. The larvae feed non-stop for the entirety of its life. They can, therefore, destroy an entire crop in a matter of days. They leave lesions on the roots which can easily cause the plant to suffer from bacterial infections.

If you’re reading this, then you’ve already discovered that your passion for farming expands beyond the backyard. You may have even decided on the crops you would like to grow or the animals you would like to start rearing, and distribute on a larger scale. And if you’ve done your research, then you have some idea of the equipment and resources you will need to see your dreams come to fruition. The only thing you need now is financing!