A winter garden designed with elements that provide color and texture will remain visually appealing during the winter months when most plants are dormant. However, while the carefully balanced landscaping may seem peaceful, hidden beneath the soil and leaves are overwintering insects waiting for spring to emerge and cause problems.
Learn more about what overwintering insects are, how to find them, and the best ways to stop them from invading your winter garden.
What Are Overwintering Insects?
Overwintering insects are pests that survive the cold months by becoming dormant or hiding in safe places throughout your property. Some common overwintering insects found in winter gardens include aphids, spider mites, beetles, caterpillars, and moths.
These garden insects don’t always cause visible damage in the winter when they lay eggs in soil or debris, but they can weaken dormant plants, harm soil health, and upset the balance of your winter garden, causing harm throughout your yard when the pests wake up in the spring to feed on fresh plants.
The Hidden Threats Overwintering Insects Pose to Your Garden
Though a winter garden is built to handle the cold, it isn't meant to become a feast for pests. Overwintering insects can cause varying levels of harm that will affect your plants and soil.
- Plant stress: Dormant plants are vulnerable to pests that chew on their stems, bark, or roots. This can weaken the plants and make it harder for them to grow in the spring.
- Soil issues: Some overwintering insects, like beetles, lay eggs in the soil. This can lead to pest infestations that make the soil less healthy and harder for plants to thrive.
- Damage to new growth: When spring arrives, garden insects that have overwintered can target new shoots and leaves, stunting your plants’ growth before they even get started.
- More pests: Without control, overwintering insects can multiply quickly, making it harder to deal with them later. They may also be attracting natural predators (aka other pests) as those will feed on larvae.
Identifying Overwintering Insects in Your Garden
To fight overwintering insects, you need to know where to find them. These pests often shelter in soil, mulch, fallen leaves, tree bark, or even cracks in garden walls. With a little guidance, you can easily spot them in your winter garden:
- Check the soil: Many pests dig into the soil to stay warm. Look for small holes, patterns on the surface, or eggs and larvae just under the soil.
- Inspect mulch and garden debris: Leaves, mulch, and other organic materials are prime hiding spots for garden insects. Look for clusters of eggs or insects inside the debris.
- Examine dormant plants: Some pests damage dormant plants by chewing on stems or bark, leaving gnaw marks or holes.
- Look for movement: On warmer winter days, some overwintering insects may still be active. Check under rocks or garden boards for signs of pests.
Preventing Overwintering Insects in Your Garden
Keeping overwintering insects out of your winter garden is simple if you follow a few easy steps.
- Start by cleaning up dead leaves and plants where pests like to hide starting in the fall. This helps get rid of places where garden insects can nest.
- Be careful with mulch. It’s great for keeping the soil warm, but it can also hide overwintering insects. Use only a thin layer of mulch and check it often for signs of pests.
- Next, turn over the soil in late fall or early winter. This exposes insect nests and eggs to the cold, making it harder for them to survive.
- You can also protect your plants by covering them with fabric or mesh. These covers keep pests out while still letting sunlight and air reach your garden.
- Let nature help by attracting birds, frogs, and other animals that eat garden insects. Adding bird feeders or a water source can bring these natural helpers to your winter garden and keep pests under control.
- Consider eco-friendly pest control options. For example, you can create your own garlic spray or utilize neem oil to repel certain pests from your plants.
- Some advanced gardeners utilize nematodes for pest control. You mix them into your soil or mulch so they can help control slugs, weevils, and other garden-tampering pests.
- Integrated pest management (IPM) is a way to identify your pest problem, monitor its progression or regression, apply a solution for pest control, and evaluate its effectiveness to adjust accordingly. This requires regular, experienced attention to your garden.
- Soil testing kits can also be leveraged to control pests. You take a soil sample and measure nutrient levels and pH balance in the soil to make adjustments that are unfavorable for the pests in question.
Why Professional Pest Control Is Key for Winter Gardens
Dealing with overwintering insects on your own can be a big job, and professional help can make your life easier. Mosquito Joe® offers expert garden insect control to protect your winter garden. Whether you’re dealing with mosquitoes that survived the cold or other pests, we’ve got your back. Not only are we a PESP leader and locally owned and operated, but we also offer free quotes, no contracts, and a range of treatment options for you to choose from.
Our team knows how to spot and stop pests at every stage of their life. We use treatments that are tough on overwintering insects but safe for your plants, family, and pets. With Mosquito Joe, you’ll get customized solutions that keep your garden healthy through every season.
Don’t let pests harm your garden or ruin your spring plants. Call Mosquito Joe today for a free estimate, and learn how the Neighborly Done Right Promise® and the Mosquito Joe Guarantee can ensure your satisfaction.
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Mosquito Joe for more information and a professional on-site assessment.
