Aphids

Aphids are a very common pest, found in nearly every garden or orchard in North Central Washington. The tiny, slow-moving bugs live off the fresh, nutrient-packed liquids that flow through plants – especially in tender young shoots. Small (under 1/4"), slow-moving, and soft-bodied, they come in many colors, and have many species specific to certain plants.

Reproducing quickly, they can grow to large numbers that suck the life out of plants. The piercings in the plant tissue cause fluid to leak out, which can attract other pests (such as ants & wasps), drip onto cars, patios and outdoor furniture, and encourage the growth of mold and other fungus.

While such tiny animals can cause much damage, the good news is they are easy to control. If you have aphids, schedule an inspection with our crew to make a plan to manage them with a low-impact, integrated pest management (IPM) approach.