Leafminers are small 1.5cm whitish grubs with a black head that feed in between leaves making strange almost transparent patterns in leaves of hosts.
Leaf Miner Grub (left)-Bradley Hydroponics, Leaf Miner Larvae (right)-Virginia Cooperative Extension
Pillbugs and sowbugs are really crustaceans that have come from the water but live totally on land. Pillbugs roll up when disturbed and sowbugs have two taillike appendages and cannot roll up.
Pillbug (left), Pillbugs on leaf (right)-University of Missouri-Columbia
Thrips can be found in the US and Canada in your veggie patches. The larvae is so small that you hardly know they are present until you see signs of damage on young plants.
Thrip larvae magnified
Grasshoppers are one of the most damaging pests in some bad years. They are between 2.5-6cm long and various colours.
Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) is a naturally-occurring microorganism (soil bacterium) that produces proteins that kills any grub or insect that ingests it by paralyzing the bug’s digestive system. Bt is nontoxic to people, pets and the environment. It also doesn’t kill beneficial insects or their natural enemies (predators and parasites), or beneficial pollinators like butterflies or honeybees.
Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, The University of Edinburgh
Bt is usually found in garden supply stores as a liquid Bt spray Bt does not last long so in many instances it must be reapplied. It can take up to 3 days to kill an insect after it has ingested it but in the meantime they stop feeding on your precious plants, roots and turf. It does not harm earthworms.
Insecticidal Soap is simple soaps and vegetable ingredients. Some Insecticidal Soaps have oil in them as well. This will kill most bugs but is most effective on soft bodied insects like aphids, scale, mealy bugs and most sap sucking insects. This only works by spraying directly on the pests. It works by breaking down the exoskeleton body which will dehydrate and kill bugs. It may need to be reapplied every few days, but be careful as it can damage tender plants with repeated use. This soap can be bought under different labels and also in concentrated form. If you decide to use concentrate be sure to mix as directed on the label.
Plant Guardian™ Houseplant Insecticidal Soap from Gardens Alive can be used indoors or outside, is all-natural, environmentally friendly and safe for use around kids and pets. It works great on roses, vegetables, fruit and nut trees, strawberries, raspberries, and ornamental and shade trees as well as houseplants. You can apply it to fruit and vegetables up to the day of harvest.
Here is my homemade recipe that you can make at home:
1 or 2 tablespoons of any dish soap to one quart of water. Spray directly on the bugs.
All bugs, insects, crawly creatures and spiders (harmful or beneficial) are nature’s natural pollinators. I don’t recommend using anything to combat them unless your problem is overwhelming. Some of these methods will also kill beneficial Insects and Bugs. If you find it necessary to eliminate a bug family, be sure you proceed with caution. All plants have their own natural resistance to bugs so the secret is to maximize their ability to survive and flourish. This includes organic soil, compost, organic fertilizers and simple common sense. The healthier your plants are the less likely they will be prone to pest problems and diseases. So keep your plants happy 
Click here for all natural pesticides from Gardens Alive! I have also listed some organic controls below that you may want to try that can help you alleviate your garden pest problems and still “Go Green”.
Rose chafers are small beetles (8-12mm long) tan coloured with a reddish brown head. They have long spiny legs.
Rose Chafers-Cooper Seeds
Cucumber beetles are about 6mm long. There are many different types of them. Two of the most common are Striped cucumber beetles and Spotted cucumber beetles.
Spotted Cucumber Beetle (left)-Clemson University, Striped Cucumber Beetle & Spotted Cucumber Beetle (right)-University of Wisconsin
Springtails are very tiny (.25-1mm long) insects with humpbacks, scales, 6 legs and have no wings. Colours range, transparent, white and various greys or black.
Springtails-NC State University, Springtail-Carlo Denegri Foundation
