What pests to look out for this winter

As the chill creeps in and we wrap ourselves in scarves and beanies, it’s easy to assume our veggie gardens are safe from pests during winter. I used to think the same — until I walked out one frosty morning and found my cabbages full of holes and my spinach looking like someone had taken a midnight snack!

Winter in South Africa might slow the pest parade, but it certainly doesn’t stop it. In fact, some sneaky pests thrive when the garden is quieter. Here’s a personal list of the top winter pests I always keep an eye on — and how I give them the boot (organically, of course).

1. Slugs and Snails

The Culprits: These guys love the cold, damp conditions of winter and will munch their way through tender seedlings like spinach, lettuce, and pak choi.

How I Spot Them: Silver slime trails, chewed leaf edges, and half-eaten seedlings in the early morning.

What I Do:

• I set out beer traps (yes, really!) – a shallow dish of beer sunk into the soil lures them in – They love a good old Black Label (LInk how we set it up)

• I sprinkle a barrier of crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around my plants.

• If it gets serious, I use Ferramol pellets – safe for pets and birds, but a last resort.

2. Ants (and the Aphids They Protect)

The Culprits: Ants aren’t the problem on their own, but they farm aphids and protect them for their sweet honeydew. Aphids still hang around in winter, especially on kale, broccoli, and mustard greens.

How I Spot Them: Clusters of ants running up and down stems or around the base of plants; curled or distorted leaves.

What I Do:

• I pour boiling water (carefully!) into ant nests away from veggie roots.

• Spray leaves with garlic-chili spray – it repels both aphids and ants.

• I break the cycle by spraying neem oil (from Biogrow) every 7–10 days if infestation appears.

3. Cutworms

The Culprits: These soil-dwelling worms cut young seedlings at the base — super frustrating after a fresh planting!

How I Spot Them: Seedlings falling over or sliced clean at ground level.

What I Do:

• I make collars out of toilet rolls around seedlings to keep worms from reaching the stems.  Link to how we set this up

• Sprinkle wood ash or diatomaceous earth at the base.

• Dig gently around the base at dusk to remove any visible worms.

4. Red Spider Mites

The Culprits: In drier winter areas, spider mites are tiny but brutal — they suck the life out of leaves, especially on tomatoes, peppers, and beans left growing under cover or in tunnels.

How I Spot Them: Pale speckling on leaves, webbing under leaves, yellowing or drying leaves.

What I Do:

• Increase humidity if under cover by misting or watering pathways.

• Spray African wormwood tea or neem oil every few days until the problem is controlled.

• Remove and compost badly infested leaves.

5. Birds

The Culprits: Sweet little finches and sparrows can go hard on seedlings in winter when natural food is scarce. I’ve lost entire rows of lettuce!

How I Spot Them: Missing seedlings, disturbed mulch, or feathered visitors at sunrise.

What I Do:

• I cover my beds with bird netting or repurpose old mosquito nets. (how we set it up)

• I hang shiny CDs or strips of foil to deter them (old-school but works!).

• Leave a shallow bird feeder nearby with seed to distract them from my crops.

My Top Winter Prevention Tips:

✅ Keep beds weed-free – pests love to hide in neglected corners.
✅ Rotate your crops – pests that overwinter in the soil will get confused.
✅ Apply compost tea or wormwood spray weekly – keeps plants strong and less attractive to pests.
✅ Mulch smartly – a light mulch layer can deter slugs but don’t let it touch stems where cutworms hide.
✅ Check early, check often – early mornings are perfect for a quick pest patrol with coffee in hand.

Even though the pace slows down in winter, the garden still needs our eyes and care. With a little prevention and the right natural tools, winter can actually be the easiest season to manage pests if we stay one step ahead.

Happy Gardening Friends

Tash & Family

Struggling with garden pests?
Don’t worry—you’re not alone! If creepy crawlies are taking over your veggies, grab our Emergency Crop Rescue Guide. It’s packed with tips to identify, treat, and prevent pests organically—before they ruin your harvest.

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