Pest Prevention for Seedlings

<h2>Prevention Over Treatment</h2> <p>The best pest management strategy is prevention. Healthy plants in good soil with proper water and light are naturally more resistant to pests and diseases.</p> <h2>Common Seedling Pests</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Fungus gnats:</strong> Small black flies, larvae feed on roots</li> <li><strong>Aphids:</strong> Small green or black insects on new growth</li> <li><strong>Whiteflies:</strong> Tiny white flying insects</li> <li><strong>Spider mites:</strong> Tiny dots on leaf undersides, fine webbing</li> <li><strong>Slugs and snails:</strong> Chew holes in leaves, leave slime trails</li> <li><strong>Cutworms:</strong> Cut seedlings at soil level</li> </ul> <h2>Physical Barriers</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Row covers:</strong> Floating fabric protects from flying insects</li> <li><strong>Collars:</strong> Cardboard tubes around stems prevent cutworms</li> <li><strong>Copper tape:</strong> Deters slugs from climbing pots</li> <li><strong>Netting:</strong> Protects from birds and larger pests</li> </ul> <h2>Natural Remedies</h2> <h3>Neem Oil</h3> <ul> <li>Organic pesticide and fungicide</li> <li>Mix according to package directions</li> <li>Apply in evening to avoid leaf burn</li> <li>Effective against aphids, whiteflies, mites</li> </ul> <h3>Insecticidal Soap</h3> <ul> <li>Disrupts soft-bodied insects</li> <li>Safe for most plants when mixed correctly</li> <li>Apply directly to insects</li> <li>Reapply after rain</li> </ul> <h3>Diatomaceous Earth</h3> <ul> <li>Powder made from fossilized algae</li> <li>Cuts insects that walk through it</li> <li>Spread around base of plants</li> <li>Reapply after rain or watering</li> </ul> <h2>Companion Planting</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Marigolds:</strong> Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes</li> <li><strong>Basil:</strong> Deters flies, mosquitoes, and aphids</li> <li><strong>Nasturtium:</strong> Trap crop for aphids</li> <li><strong>Lavender:</strong> Repels fleas, moths, and deer</li> </ul> <h2>Encouraging Beneficial Insects</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Ladybugs:</strong> Each eats 50+ aphids per day</li> <li><strong>Lacewings:</strong> Larvae consume aphids, mites, small caterpillars</li> <li><strong>Praying mantis:</strong> General predator of many pests</li> <li><strong>Hoverflies:</strong> Larvae eat aphids, adults pollinate</li> </ul> <h2>Monitoring</h2> <ul> <li>Check plants daily for early signs of problems</li> <li>Inspect leaf undersides where pests hide</li> <li>Use yellow sticky traps to monitor flying insects</li> <li>Keep records of what works in your garden</li> </ul>