Three pests to watch for in winter

Though they are native to southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, these pesky moths have begun cropping up further afield. So if you have pine trees or conifers in your garden, it’s a good idea to check for nests each winter.

These grey-white summertime butterflies are harmless. But the larvae they lay can strip conifers bare, weakening them. So, the key is to catch them before they turn into moths. 

Usually found below the tree’s needles, they wrap themselves in white gossamers to make a shelter for autumn/winter. Or look for the orange caterpillars and watch them move. If they form a top-to-tail convoy, they're likely to be pine processionary moths (it's all in the name).

The moth larvae sting, causing painful eye, skin and respiratory irritation for people and pets alike. This means it’s best to call in professional help to control pine processionary moths in your garden. Some countries have trialled ecological traps on trees, while others have had some success with biological control.

The ‘rough strawberry weevil’ (otiorrhynchus rugosostriatus) is known for destroying berries, but deal with it in winter and you can get to the root of the issue.

These tough little beetles are black and rounded with a hard shell. In winter though, you’re looking for larvae. Just under 1cm in length, the white, C-shaped grubs linger just beneath the soil at the base of a plant’s stems.

Biological control can be best to deter weevils without damaging neighbouring plants – or endangering other wildlife.

Covering all sorts of common garden plants, scale insects can damage everything from evergreen plants to deciduous trees – and they especially like greenhouses.

There are so many species of scale insects, it can be hard to keep track. Look for little bumps underneath leaves of plants that aren’t thriving. Some give out a sticky substance called honeydew, which is another sign. 

Other bugs and birds are natural enemies of scale insects. Planting your garden with varieties that encourage ladybirds in particular can help deal with a growing population. Try introducing nematodes as a biological line of defence – or use a plant oil wash during winter months.