Given the diversity of crops and growing conditions indoors and outdoors, pest damage manifests in different forms in nurseries.

The key to controlling pests in your nursery effectively is detecting them early and introducing beneficials at the right moment. Therefore, regular monitoring is critical.

• Aphids. Honeydew and sooty mould indicate aphid hotspots. You will often see aphid moults, and aphids in the growing tips, on the undersides of leaves and on the roots in some cases. Aphids can potentially transmit viruses to the host plant.
• Caterpillars. Chewing damage and fresh droppings indicate that you have caterpillar activity.
• Eriophyid or Tarsonemid Mites (eg, Broad Mite or Cyclamen Mite).  These mites are not visible to the naked eye however distorted/discoloured leaves and stunted plants especially in seedlings (due to damaged growing tips) are signs these mites are present.
• Fungus Gnat or Shoreflies. These are easy to detect as high numbers are caught on sticky traps. Inspect the roots of younger plants for larvae activity if the vigour of your plants is poor. The pests tend to leave their droppings on the leaves and flowers.
• Scale insects. Mature scales are easy to see but are often detected too late. High infestations damage the plant via the honeydew secretions, the resulting sooty mould, and generally weaken your plants.
• Slugs and Snails. Slimy silver trials on plants and soil/floors indicate slug and snail activity. The damage to plants tends to be worse where growing conditions are wet, dark and humid.
• Spider Mites. Spider Mite damage appears as white/yellow spots, speckling or streaks and eventually, severe leaf scarring, stunting and/or webbing. Spider Mites can also transmit viruses, eg, false spider mites transmit the Orchid Fleck Virus to specific orchids.
• Leafhoppers. These are easy to see when you disturb the plant. Leafhopper feeding damage looks like white scratches on the leaves.
• Thrips. Thrips can damage all parts of the plant. Damaged flowers have spots or streaks without colour and leaf damage can range from spots or streaks to severe stunting, curling and discolouring. Thrips can potentially transmit viruses to the host plant.
• Whiteflies. Whitefly adults are easy to detect when you disturb the plant. White scale secretes honeydew and this encourages sooty mould to develop, which makes the plants unsaleable. Whiteflies can potentially transmit viruses to the host plant.