Spring Pest Control Checklist for Your Home and Garden

Spring brings fresh plant growth and renewed pest activity. A few regular checks can help you identify problems early and choose a suitable response before extensive damage occurs.

1. Inspect box plants closely

Check box hedges and topiary for webbing, pale or skeletonised leaves, droppings and green-and-black caterpillars. Damage can be hidden inside dense plants, so gently part the foliage and inspect beyond the outer surface.

Pheromone traps can help monitor adult box tree moth activity, while plant inspections reveal whether caterpillars are already feeding. Explore box tree moth and caterpillar products and read our box tree advice.

2. Set up fruit-tree moth monitoring

Codling moth and plum fruit moth traps are normally used as monitoring tools around susceptible fruit trees. Use the species-specific lure intended for the fruit you grow and follow the product instructions for timing, position and lure replacement.

Browse codling and plum moth traps or see all garden moth traps.

3. Check vulnerable new growth

Inspect the undersides of leaves, growing tips and young stems for insects, eggs, sticky residue, distorted growth and fresh feeding damage. Identifying the pest before selecting a product avoids treating the wrong problem.

Shop plant-protection products for appropriate monitoring and treatment options.

4. Look for slugs and snails

Tender seedlings and new shoots can be vulnerable to slug and snail feeding. Look for irregular holes, slime trails and damage that appears overnight. Check beneath pots, boards and damp sheltered areas where these pests may hide.

Explore slug and snail control and always follow the instructions supplied with the chosen product.

5. Inspect sheds and storage areas

Spring cleaning is a good opportunity to check sheds, garages and cupboards for droppings, damaged packaging, webbing or trapped insects. Clean up spilled seed and food, reduce unnecessary clutter and store vulnerable materials securely.

For more help, return to the seasonal pest-control advice hub.