Garden Pests

If you’re experiencing some unwelcome visitors in your yard or garden, you can use information found in our library collection to help you identify and eradicate pests.  This article will help you find resources by plant type or pest type.  Titles that do not have links can be checked out in hard copy from our library.  As always, you can search for more resources in our library catalog.

General Resources

Beneficial Insects and Other ArthropodsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2003.

BiocontrolColorado Department of Agriculture, 2009-   .  See also Biocontrol Webpage.

Buying and Selling Pesticides OnlineColorado State University, Colorado Environmental Pesticide Education Program, 2006.

Colorado Pesticide Guide.  Vegetable Crops.  Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1997.

Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Annual Report, Colorado Department of Agriculture, 2005-

Economic Considerations of Pest Management BMPs, Colorado Department of Agriculture, 1997.

Friendly Pesticides for Home GardensColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

High Plains Pest Management Guide for Colorado-Western Nebraska-Wyoming.  Cooperative Extension Services of Colorado State University, University of Wyoming, and University of Nebraska, 1998.

Homeowner’s Guide, Alternative Pest Management for the Lawn and GardenColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2002.

Homeowner’s Guide to Pesticide Use Around the Home and GardenColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2002.

Household Insects of the Rocky Mountain StatesColorado State University Cooperative Extension Service, University of Wyoming Extension, and Montana State University Extension, 1994.

Insect Control:  Horticultural OilsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2005.

Insect Pest Control in Colorado Organic Vegetable GardensColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1994.

Insect Pests of Landscape Plants.  Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service, 1970.

Integrated Pest Management Practices in Colorado.  Colorado State University Department of Bioagricultural Service and Pest Management, 1997.

Landscape Insect and Mite Pest Management Guide, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1988.

Outdoor Vertebrate Pest Control.  Colorado Department of Agriculture, 2008.

Preventing Plant Diseases in the Vegetable GardenColorado State University Extension Service, 1979.

Residential/Commercial Pest Control.  Colorado Department of Agriculture, 2006.

Safe Pesticide HandlingColorado State University, High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, 1998.

Vegetable Crop PestsColorado State College Extension Service, Farm Victory Program, 1943.

Vegetable Garden HintsColorado Master Gardener Program, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2003.

Weed and Insect Impacts in Colorado and the Costs and Impacts of Biocontrol.  Colorado Department of Agriculture, 2001.

By Plant Type

Alfalfa

Alfalfa:  Weeds, Diseases, InsectsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1999.

Alfalfa WeevilColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2011.

The Alfalfa Weevil in ColoradoColorado Agricultural College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1933.

Aphids in AlfalfaColorado State University Extension, 2011.

Management of the Alfalfa Leaf-Cutter Bee in Colorado.  Colorado State University Experiment Station, 1972.

Survival of Several Alfalfa Varieties Seeded on Irrigated Land Infested with Bacterial WiltColorado State College Experiment Station, 1938.

Beans

Dry Bean Production & Pest Management.  Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2015.

Western Bean Cutworm:  Characteristics and Management in Corn and Dry BeansColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Berries

Currants, Gooseberries, and Jostaberries for the Home GardenColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1993.  

Raspberries for the Home GardenColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Strawberries for the Home GardenColorado State University Extension, 2009.

Corn

Ecology and Control of Spider Mites on Corn in Northeastern Colorado.  Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service, 1983.

European Corn BorersColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1986.

Management of European Corn Borer with Bt Corn Hybrids in Eastern ColoradoColorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station, 1999.

Management of Spider Mites in CornColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1986.

Managing Corn Pests with Bt CornColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2010.

Spider Mites in CornColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Sweet Corn for the GardenColorado State University Extension Service, 2003.

Sweet Corn Insect ControlColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1986.

Western Bean Cutworm:  Characteristics and Management in Corn and Dry BeansColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Western Corn RootwormColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers, Pumpkins, Squash, and MelonsColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Eggplant

Peppers and EggplantColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Flowers

Insect Control in the Flower GardenColorado State University Extension Service, 1982.

Tobacco (Geranium) BudwormColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2003.

Grapes

Colorado Grape Growers’ GuideColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1998.  Includes chapter on vineyard pest management/control.

Insect and Mite Pests Associated with West Slope Wine Grapes.  Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station, 1994.

Greenhouse/houseplants

Fungus Gnats and as Houseplant and Indoor PestsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2009.

Greenhouse WhiteflyColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Household Insect Pests:  Characteristics and ControlColorado State University Cooperative Extension Service, 1981.

Household Insects of the Rocky Mountain StatesColorado State University Cooperative Extension Service, University of Wyoming Extension, and Montana State University Extension, 1994.

Household Pest Control:  Pesticide Application and Safety Training Guide.  Colorado Department of Agriculture, 1981.

Household PesticidesColorado State University, Colorado Environmental Pesticide Education Program, 2006.

Insect Control:  Soaps and DetergentsColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Interior Plant Pest Control.  Colorado Department of Agriculture, 2006.

Managing Houseplant PestsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Lawns

Clover and Other Mites of TurfgrassColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Insect Management Recommendations for Turf and Ornamentals.  Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service, 2004.

Leafhoppers on LawnsColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Sod Webworms and Cutworms in LawnsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1989.

Turf Insects:  Pesticide Application and Safety Training Guide.  Colorado Department of Agriculture, 1981.

Turf Pest Control.  Colorado Department of Agriculture, 2015.

Turfgrass Insects in Colorado & Northern New Mexico.  Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1996.

Leafy Greens

Leafy Vegetable Crops for the Home GardenColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1989.

Melons

Cucumbers, Pumpkins, Squash, and MelonsColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Onions

Colorado Insecticide Trials for Control of Thrips on Onions, 1995-2006Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station, 2006.
 
Colorado Onion Production and Integrated Pest Management, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1995.

Onion Thrips:  Characteristics and Control.  Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1994.

Onions and Related Species for the Home GardenColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1991.

Peas

A Bacterial Stem Blight of Field and Garden PeasColorado Agricultural College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1916.

Peppers

Peppers and EggplantColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Potatoes

Best Management Practices for Integrated Pest Management in the San Luis Valley:  Potato. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1996.

Colorado Potato PestsColorado State College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1941.

Controlling Colorado Potato PestsColorado State College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1937.

Potato Flea-Beetle ControlColorado Agricultural College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1933.

Potato or Tomato PsyllidsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Potatoes for the Home GardenColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2003.

Psyllid Control on Potatoes and Tomatoes in the Victory GardenColorado State College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1943.

The Tomato Psyllid and the Control of Psyllid Yellows of PotatoesColorado Agricultural College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1934.

Pumpkins and Squash

Cucumbers, Pumpkins, Squash, Muskmelons, and Watermelons for the Home GardenColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1994.

Squash Bugs:  Management in Home GardensColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2008.

Trees and Shrubs

Aphids on Shade Trees and OrnamentalsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2004.

Boxelder BugsColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Conifer Seed BugsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Control of Some Scale Insects Infesting Colorado Trees and Shrubs.  Colorado Agricultural College, Office of the State Entomologist, 1924.

Douglas-Fir Tussock MothsColorado State University Extension, 2009.

Elm Leaf BeetlesColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Emerald Ash BorerColorado State Forest Service, 2011.

Insect and Mite Pests of HoneylocustColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Insects and Diseases of Woody Plants in Colorado.  Colorado State University Extension, 2014.

Insects and Diseases of Woody Plants of the Central Rockies.  Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2000.

Insects that Feed on Colorado Trees and ShrubsColorado State University Cooperative Extension Service, 1993.

Leafmining InsectsColorado State University Extension, 2009.

Management Recommendations for Insect Pests of Trees and ShrubsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1995.

Oystershell ScaleColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Pine Needle ScaleColorado State University Cooperative Extension Service, 1986

Pinyon Pine Diseases and InsectsColorado State University Extension, 2009.

Scale Insects Affecting ConifersColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Spruce Bark BeetleColorado State Forest Service, 2002.

What’s Ailing Your Aspen?  Common Insects and Diseases of AspenColorado State Forest Service, 2004.

White Pine WeevilColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Zimmerman Pine MothColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Fruit Trees

Apple and Pear InsectsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

A Cherry Pest in ColoradoColorado Agricultural College Experiment Station, 1932.

Colorado Tree Fruits Pest and Crop Management GuideColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1997; 1999 update.

Stone Fruit InsectsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2005.

Tomatoes

Potato and Tomato PsyllidsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Psyllid Control on Potatoes and Tomatoes in the Victory GardenColorado State College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1943.

Recognizing Tomato ProblemsColorado State University Extension, 2009.

The Tomato Psyllid and the Control of Psyllid Yellows of PotatoesColorado Agricultural College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1934.

Tomatoes for the Home GardenColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1994.

Wheat

Mites in WheatColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Wheat Production and Pest Management for the Great Plains Region.  Colorado State University Extension, 2010.

Wheat Stem Sawfly:  A New Pest of Colorado WheatColorado State University Extension, 2011.

By Pest Type

Aphids 

Alternate Host Plants of Russian Wheat Aphid in Colorado.  Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station, 1997.

Aphids in AlfalfaColorado State University Extension, 2011.

Aphids on Shade Trees and OrnamentalsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2004.

Estimating the Correlation Between Fall and Spring Population Densities of the Russian Wheat AphidColorado State University Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, 2010.

Estimating Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: aphididae) Overwintering Success Using Weather Data.  Colorado State University Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, 2010.

Honeysuckle Witches’ Broom AphidColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2003.

Occurrence of Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: aphididae) on Non-Cultivated Grasses Within Colorado Montane EnvironmentsColorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station, 2011.

Bacillus Thuringiensis

Bacillus ThuringiensisColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Bees and Wasps

European Paper WaspColorado State University Extension, 2008.  

Leafcutter BeesColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Management of the Alfalfa Leaf-Cutter Bee in Colorado.  Colorado State University Experiment Station, 1972.

Nuisance Wasps and BeesColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Pigeon Tremex Horntail and the Giant Ichneumon WaspColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Beetles

An Annotated Bibliography of Thousand Cankers Disease, Including…Information on the Walnut Twig Beetle…  Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station, 2015.

Blister Beetles in Forage CropsColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Cereal Leaf Beetle:  Identification, Biology, and ManagementColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Elm Leaf BeetlesColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Flea BeetlesColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Japanese BeetleColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Lady BeetlesColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Spruce Bark BeetleColorado State Forest Service, 2002.

Caterpillars, Larvae, and Segmented Worms 

ArmywormsColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Caterpillars in Small GrainsColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Field Key for Identification of Caterpillars Found on Field and Vegetable Crops in ColoradoColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1990.

Methods of Combatting Four Field Crop Pests in Colorado:  Beet Webworm, Alfalfa Webworm, Army Cutworm, Pale Western CutwormColorado
Agricultural College, Colorado Extension Service, 1921.

Sod Webworms and CutwormsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2003.

Tent-Making CaterpillarsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Tobacco (Geranium) BudwormColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2003.

Western Bean Cutworm:  Characteristics and Management in Corn and Dry BeansColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Western Corn RootwormColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Flies

Greenhouse Whitefly.  Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.  

Wheat Stem Sawfly:  A New Pest of Colorado WheatColorado State University Extension, 2011.

Gnats

Fungus Gnats and as Houseplant and Indoor PestsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2009.

Grasshoppers
Grasshopper Control in Gardens and Small AcreagesColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2008.

Leafhoppers on LawnsColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Grubs

Billbugs and White GrubsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2005.

Ladybugs

Lady BeetlesColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Mantids

Mantids of ColoradoColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Mites

Clover and Other Mites of TurfgrassColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Ecology and Control of Spider Mites on Corn in Northeastern Colorado.  Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service, 1983.

Landscape Insect and Mite Pest Management Guide, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1988.

Management of Spider Mites in CornColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1986.

Mites in WheatColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Spider MitesColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Spider Mites in CornColorado State University Extension, 2010.

Moths

Douglas-Fir Tussock MothsColorado State University Extension, 2009.

Hornworms and “Hummingbird Moths.”  Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Indian Meal MothColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Miller MothsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Pine Tip MothsColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Snailcase BagwormColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.  (It’s neither a snail nor a worm.  It’s actually a moth).

Zimmerman Pine MothColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Nematodes (unsegmented worms)

Importance of Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Colorado CropsColorado State University Extension, 2011.

Insect Control with Insect Parasitic NematodesColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1994.

Insect Parasitic NematodesColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Weird Worms:  Horsehair Worm and the Grasshopper NematodeColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Psyllids

An Annotated Bibliography of the Potato/Tomato PsyllidColorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station, 1993.

Potato or Tomato PsyllidsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2007.

Psyllid Control on Potatoes and Tomatoes in the Victory GardenColorado State College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1943.

The Tomato Psyllid and the Control of Psyllid Yellows of PotatoesColorado Agricultural College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1934.

Scales

Control of Some Scale Insects Infesting Colorado Trees and Shrubs.  Colorado Agricultural College, Office of the State Entomologist, 1924.

Oystershell ScaleColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Pine Needle ScaleColorado State University Cooperative Extension Service, 1986.

Scale Insects Affecting ConifersColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2006.

Slugs

Attractiveness of Beer and Fermentation Products to the Gray Garden SlugColorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station, 1997.

Pear SlugsColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2004.

SlugsColorado State University Extension, 2008.

Squash Bugs

Squash Bugs:  Management in Home GardensColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2008.

Thrips

Colorado Insecticide Trials for Control of Thrips on Onions, 1995-2006Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station, 2006.

The Gladiolus Thrips in Colorado.  Colorado State College, Office of the State Entomologist, 1935.

Onion Thrips:  Characteristics and ControlColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 1994.

Weevils

Alfalfa WeevilColorado State University Cooperative Extension, 2011.

The Alfalfa Weevil in ColoradoColorado Agricultural College, Colorado Experiment Station, 1933.

Root WeevilsColorado State University Extension Service, 2006.

Sunflower Stem Weevil ManagementColorado State University Extension, 2010.

White Pine WeevilColorado State University Extension, 2008.