Bugs & What to Watch for in your Lousiana Garden
All Things Bugs: What to Watch for in Your October Garden
October may bring cooler weather to Lafayette and South Louisiana, but that doesn’t mean garden bugs are gone for the season! In fact, fall can still bring plenty of insect activity to our landscapes, vegetable gardens, flowers, and shrubs.
The important thing to remember is that not every bug is a bad bug. Some insects can damage your plants, while others are valuable pollinators or natural predators that help keep pest populations under control.
Here are some of the bugs to watch for this October, how to manage unwanted pests, and which beneficial insects you should be happy to see in your garden.
Pests to Watch for This October
Aphids
Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that gather on new growth, flower buds, and the undersides of leaves. They feed by sucking sap from plants and can cause curling, distorted growth, yellowing, and sticky residue known as honeydew.
What to do: For a light infestation, a strong spray of water may be enough to knock aphids from the plant. Insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils can also be options when used according to their labels. Before treating, check for lady beetles and other beneficial insects that may already be feeding on the aphids.
Caterpillars
Fall gardens can attract several types of caterpillars, including armyworms and other leaf-chewing species. You may notice holes in leaves, missing foliage, or dark droppings around damaged areas.
What to do: Inspect plants regularly and hand-pick caterpillars when practical. For certain pest caterpillars, products containing Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) can provide targeted control when applied while caterpillars are small. Always identify the caterpillar first—you don't want to accidentally eliminate a butterfly or moth species you want in the garden!
Whiteflies
If you touch a plant and a cloud of tiny white insects suddenly flies into the air, you may have whiteflies. They tend to congregate on the undersides of leaves and can weaken plants by feeding on their sap.
What to do: Remove heavily infested leaves when appropriate and consider insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Good air circulation and regular plant inspections can help you catch an infestation before it becomes severe.
Spider Mites
Spider mites aren't actually insects—they're relatives of spiders—but they're a common garden pest. Look for tiny speckles or discoloration on leaves and very fine webbing around foliage.
What to do: Check the undersides of leaves carefully. Water-stressed plants can be more vulnerable to mite problems, so proper watering is important. Horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps may help when they're labeled for the plant and pest you're treating.
Scale Insects
Scale can appear as small bumps attached to stems, branches, or leaves. Because they often don't look like insects, they can be easy to overlook.
What to do: Treatment depends on the type of scale and its life stage. Horticultural oils can be useful for certain scale insects, particularly when timed correctly. If you're unsure what you're seeing, bring us a clear photo or plant sample so we can help identify the problem before you treat it.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are easy to recognize by their white, cottony appearance. They often hide around stems, leaf joints, and other protected areas of the plant.
What to do: Small infestations can sometimes be physically removed. Insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils may also be appropriate. Check nearby plants because mealybugs can spread.
Don't Forget About the Good Bugs!
Seeing an insect in your garden doesn't automatically mean you need to reach for a pesticide. A healthy garden is full of life, and many insects are working in your favor.
Lady beetles are garden helpers because both adults and larvae can feed on pests such as aphids.
Lacewings are another beneficial predator. Their larvae feed on many small, soft-bodied garden pests.
Bees are essential pollinators for many flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Protect them by avoiding unnecessary pesticide applications, particularly while plants are blooming.
Butterflies are some of our favorite garden visitors and important pollinators. Remember that before becoming butterflies, they begin as caterpillars! Learn to identify caterpillars before deciding whether they need to be removed.
Praying mantises are predators that feed on many types of insects. Keep in mind, however, that they aren't picky—they can eat both pest and beneficial insects.
Treat the Problem, Not Every Bug
One of the best things you can do for your garden is identify the pest before treating it.
Not every chewed leaf requires treatment, and using a broad insecticide unnecessarily can also affect pollinators and beneficial insects that naturally help control pests.
Start by inspecting the entire plant, especially the undersides of leaves and areas of new growth. Determine what insect is present, how much damage it's causing, and whether beneficial predators are already helping.
When treatment is necessary, choose a product labeled for both the specific pest and the plant you're treating, and always follow the product label for application rates, timing, and safety precautions.
Join Us for Our Not-So-Creepy Crawly Seminar!
Want to learn even more about what’s crawling around your garden? Join us at All Seasons Nursery on Saturday, October 3 for our FREE Not-So-Creepy Crawly Seminar!
We’ll be talking all things bugs, including how to prevent common garden pests, which beneficial bugs you actually want around, fall bug outbreaks, identifying insect damage, and more.
Have a bug or plant problem you’ve been wondering about? This is a great opportunity to learn more and ask questions.
Saturday, October 3
FREE admission
Waters provided
No registration required
Come learn how to tell the difference between the bugs helping your garden and the ones having your plants for lunch! Visit All Seasons Nursery
Whether you're dealing with an unwanted pest or wondering if the mysterious insect on your plant is actually a garden helper, the team at All Seasons Nursery in Lafayette, Louisiana can help you find the right solution.
Remember: not every bug is a bad bug! 🐞🌿









