Although a few pests here and there do not cause much harm, if you leave the problem untreated, it can multiply and make an ugly mess. Panic not! Check out our post on Common Houseplant Pests and How to Get Rid of Them!
06.06.2023 - 19:53 / gardenerspath.com / Kristine Lofgren
Common Brussels Sprout Pests: What’s Eating My Plants?If I could count the number of times that someone said they hated brussels sprouts as a kid, but love the nutty little nuggets today, I’d be a rich woman.
Do you know who else loves brussels sprouts? Bugs.
Caterpillars, worms, and little sap-sucking insects of all kinds can’t seem to get enough of cole crops in general.
The good news is that brussels sprouts have the advantage of growing big, attractive leaves that we humans don’t usually use. Insects often attack this foliage first.
In most cases, it doesn’t matter much if you see some cosmetic damage to the foliage, so long as the heads are not impacted.
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That said, some pests can spread or invite disease, no matter where they attack.
Some might not bother the heads, but the damage they cause can prevent sprouts from forming, or any sprouts that form might be stunted, ugly, or even loose.
This guide will help you figure out what’s eating your plants (besides you, of course), when to take action, and what you need to do to protect your precious sprouts.
Here’s what we’ll discuss:
Best Practices to Avoid PestsEvery pest is different, but there are things you can do to discourage invertebrates from attacking your plants.
Brussels sprouts are part of the cabbage family (Brassicaceae). That means they’re susceptible to attack from any insect that prefers brassicas.
To avoid these insects in the garden, there are a few steps you can take.
First, crop rotation is always a good idea. Many pests overwinter in the soil and wait for spring to attack.
If you don’t put something they like or can obtain nutrition from in the
Although a few pests here and there do not cause much harm, if you leave the problem untreated, it can multiply and make an ugly mess. Panic not! Check out our post on Common Houseplant Pests and How to Get Rid of Them!
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