Fall is one of my favorite times in the garden because there are so few pests. The wasps and yellow jackets are no longer invading the raspberries and there is not an aphid to be found. But we still do need to keep our eyes open for fall pests because some take advantage of these final days before the winter sets in for good.

Preparing the Garden for Winter

Opportunistic Pill Bugs

In our waning days of beautiful weather, I was tickled to pick a lovely zucchini from our so-far healthy plans. I was shocked when there were pill bugs chewing on one end. Out the entire season, they never bothered anything. Yet, now they were burrowing through the remaining squash.

University of Kentucky – Pill Bugs and Sow Bugs

Pill bugs love the soft fruits and vegetables, including strawberries and cucumbers, that are often directly on the soil. They will also burrow into stems of succulent plants, such as squash, destroying young seedlings.

One of the most ingenious methods of handling pill bugs that tunnel into young plants is to break out the duct tape. Loop it around the stem with the sticky side out and bury it about one-half inch in the ground when you plant the seedling. This way they will get stuck on the duct tape and not find their way into the plant. Another option is to use a yogurt container as a collar. Simply cut off the bottom, feed the plant through the container, and shove it into the ground.

Of course at this time of the year, a collar doesn’t ward off the pill bugs. One of the best options is using diatomaceous earth. It’s my go-to for so many pest issues. The next best (and still less toxic) is probably Neem oil, followed by Spinosad products.

Remnant Wasps and Yellowjackets

We enjoyed a bumper crop of raspberries this season, but even though the fruit is gone, a few of wasps and Yellowjackets remain. They tend to be more aggressive at the end of the season, because the colony is large and resources are at a premium. But they’re not as bad after a few cold mornings.

While they are not as much of the issue in the garden at this time of the year, be aware that the queens are looking for a place to overwinter. Oftentimes, they’ll burrow into garden debris, or somewhere where they can find protection. But they will take advantage of an opening to spend the cold months in your house, as well. This is a good time to seal up any openings around windows, vents, or along your siding. While they are part of the whole ecosystem, it doesn’t mean we need to snuggle up with them during the winter.

Box Elder Nightmares

I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about box elder bugs that seem to invade peoples homes at this time of the year. The same goes with stink bugs. They are moving into that winter mode and looking for shelter, wherever they can find it. Unfortunately, congregating en mass on sunny walls of your home or finding their way into the house is disconcerting. Nobody really wants to spray massive amount of chemicals all over your house, but one way to take care of them, at least temporarily, is by vacuuming with a Shop Vac of some sort. They will keep coming, but at least it makes you feel like you’re doing something.

We cherish every beautiful day in the fall, but we still need to be vigilant when it comes to pass in the garden, as well as in the home. Thankfully, at this time of the year, it’s usually easier to deal with them because we know it’s just temporary.