Pests are a natural part of Gardyning, and can happen despite incorporating our suggested preventative measures. But, it’s going to be okay!
Noticing some leaves curling up, or bumps on some of your plants' leaves? One explanation might be that your plants have edema, which isn't harmful and isn't a pest at all - click here to learn more!
If you have discovered pests on your plants, be sure to examine all of your plants carefully to determine if you are dealing with a light infestation or a heavy infestation.
How does a light infestation differ from a heavy infestation?
The level of an infestation depends on the total number of observed pests.
- If you see an occasional solitary pest, it’s a light infestation.
- If there are groups of pests all together and present on almost every leaf, the infestation is heavy. In this case, you should dispose of the most infested plants and start germinating replacements off your Gardyn, away from the pest infestation.
Master Gardyner Pest Tips:
- For best results, be proactive! Applying preventative measures can help you avoid infestations from the start and will encourage would-be pests to search for less stressful options.
- Develop a control system that works best for you. A combination of treatments will be most effective.
- If you decide you'd rather start fresh with a set of all-new yCubes on your Gardyn rather than fighting your current pest problem, be sure to do a Light Cleaning first to sterilize your device and help you avoid a repeat pest problem.
Most Common Pests on the Gardyn:
Aphids
- Small, oval shaped, soft-bodied insects that feed by sucking the nutrient-rich liquids out of plants
- Tiny (¼ inch)
- Commonly green but can also be white, black, brown, gray, yellow, or pink
Signs of Aphid Infestation:
- Curled and wilted foliage
- Sticky leaves (honey dew sap)
- White ‘specks’ found near/under aphid group (these are the skin of morphing aphids; see image below)
- Found in groups under leaves, on flowers and new growth, and near stems
>>> Next Steps: Aphid Control & Treatment
Spider Mites
- Most closely related to spiders and ticks
- One millimeter at most (extremely small)
- Come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, most often brown, red, or pale
Signs of Spider Mite Infestation
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- Curled or drooping foliage, and pale yellow speckling on leaves
- Silky webs woven around and between the stems and leaves
- Found in groups, commonly on the underside of leaves
>>> Next Steps: Spider Mites Control & Treatment
Thrips
- Small, slender insects with fringed wings. Adult thrips are tiny and slender, at 0.5 - 1 mm long
- Colors range from yellow to brown, black, or light green when young
- Feed on plants by puncturing and sucking up the content
Signs of Thrip Infestation
Master Gardyner Tip: Thrips are TINY, and can be hard to detect with the naked eye. You may need a magnifying glass! Diagnosis is often made only after you detect leaf damage.
- Pale cast and papery texture on foliage
- Accompanied by a silver/black varnish and/or slivers
- Deformed leaf buds
>>> Next Steps: Thrips Control & Treatment
Whiteflies
- White, soft-bodied, winged insects that can be as small as 1/12 of an inch
- Found in clusters on the undersides of leaves
- Use their piercing mouthparts to suck up plant juices and, in turn, produce a sticky substance known as honeydew.
Signs of Infestation
- Sticky honeydew substance: left on its own, can cause fungal diseases such as sooty mold to form on leaves.
>>> Next Steps: Whiteflies Control & Treatment
Fungus Gnats
- Grayish-black color with gray or see-through wings
- Tiny fly, ranging from 1.5mm to 3mm (looks like a mosquito, but smaller)
- Larvae have a small, black head and a thin, white or see-through body
- Harmless to humans but can cause issues for plants as they infest roots
- You'll often see larvae in the rockwool, roots, and yPod interior before noticing adult gnats
Signs of Infestation
- Wilting plants may indicate root damage
- Adults found flying around plants
- Larvae will be present in rockwool; large populations can damage the roots. The larvae is identified by a tiny, translucent body with distinctive shiny black heads (<8mm)
>>> Next Steps: Fungus Gnats Control & Treatment
Questions? Reach us at support@mygardyn.com, or chat with us! We're here to help.