The frequent rain and naturally damp, cool soils of Oregon create an ideal haven for slugs and snails that will eat up almost all types of tender vegetative growth. Slugs and snails aren’t choosy and will not limit their menu to a certain family of plants. They feed heavily when the weather is cool, rainy, or overcast and much slug damage is seen during the spring. Telltale signs of slug and snail damage are ragged holes anywhere on the leaves of your plants. Reflective trails of dried slime, as well as traces of small, moist, and greenish-brown slug frass or poop, can also confirm their presence in your garden. There are various organic garden pest control methods that will help eradicate slugs and snails for the long term.

Aphids can literally suck the life out of plants with their piercing mouthparts. They feed off leaves, stems, branches, barks, buds, flowers and even root tissues on trees, shrubs, and ornamentals. These small, soft-bodied insects are oval or pear-shaped and vary in color from green, pink, yellow, and black, usually matching the color of their host plants. Aphids feed in colonies and are mostly attracted to succulent plant tissues in young plants. Trees, shrubs and mature plants are more likely to survive an aphid attack. Still, their health and vigor may be compromised since aphids are vectors of viruses and diseases. Organic garden pest control treatments can prevent infestations and save the health of your plants.

Beetle grubs in Oregon are mostly larvae of the Japanese beetle which is known to forage on leaves, flowers, berries and fruit of more than 300 species of plants. Japanese beetles are quite destructive in multiple life stages. Immature beetle grubs typically feed on the roots of grasses and create dead areas of turf by limiting the plant’s ability to take in water. Adults, on the other hand, feed on leaves and create a pattern known as “skeletonizing” which results in defoliation. Defoliated plants lose their ability to photosynthesize and are more susceptible to stress, disease and even death. Roses are particularly at risk so organic garden pest control may be needed to eradicate this invasive pest.

Flea and tick season in Oregon usually begins in spring and moves through the summer until early fall. But just because you don’t see them around doesn’t mean they’re not present and ready to latch on your pets. The fact is, ticks and fleas can live year-round in Oregon’s moderate climate and survive outdoor temperatures as low as 33°F for up to five days. They become active when temperatures hit the 40s and their eggs may be found throughout the year in more protected areas of your home like porches, patios and crawl spaces. Ticks and fleas carry diseases like ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease so it’s best to employ organic pest control measures to eradicate them from your home.