Top 5 August Invaders and How to Control Naturally
August in South East London is a crucial month for gardens. While flowers are blooming and vegetables ripening, this is also the peak season for some of the most destructive garden pests. From slimy slugs to sap-sucking aphids, pests are drawn to the warmth, moisture, and abundance of food in your garden. If left unchecked, they can quickly damage plants, ruin harvests, and create stress for even the most experienced gardeners.
Fortunately, there are eco-friendly ways to manage these pests effectively—without resorting to harmful chemicals that damage biodiversity. Whether you’re tending to a small garden in Lewisham, a community patch in Peckham, or a lush family space in Greenwich, understanding the threats and acting early can make all the difference. Let’s explore the top 5 garden pests in South East London in August and how to deal with them the sustainable way.
1. Slugs and Snails – The Nighttime Nibblers
Slugs and snails are perhaps the most well-known enemies of August gardens. Attracted to tender leaves and seedlings, they come out at night or after rain and leave behind a trail of slime and chewed foliage. Their damage is most visible in hostas, lettuces, dahlias, and young seedlings.
Eco-Friendly Control:
Instead of reaching for slug pellets, which can harm wildlife and pets, try placing copper tape around pots or raised beds. Copper gives them a mild electric shock as they cross. You can also use beer traps (shallow containers filled with beer) to lure and drown them overnight. Another effective method is handpicking them at dusk and relocating them far from your garden. Keep your garden tidy—remove fallen leaves, stones, and other hiding spots.
A professional garden maintenance team like Urban Gardeners can help install physical barriers and natural deterrents tailored to your garden layout in South East London.
2. Aphids (Greenfly & Blackfly) – The Silent Suckers
Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth, feeding on sap and excreting a sticky substance called honeydew, which attracts ants and can cause sooty mold. In August, aphid populations spike, particularly on roses, beans, and fruit trees.
Eco-Friendly Control:
Encourage natural predators such as ladybirds, hoverflies, and lacewings by planting wildflowers and providing insect hotels. A simple spray of diluted soapy water (1 tablespoon of natural soap to 1 liter of water) can break down their protective coating and kill them without harming the plant. Repeat every few days until aphids disappear. Avoid using chemical sprays—they can disrupt the natural balance and harm pollinators.
Urban Gardeners offers organic pest management solutions for home gardens across South East London, ensuring that your plants stay healthy without compromising the environment.
3. Vine Weevils – Root Wreckers in Disguise
Adult vine weevils feed on leaves at night, leaving notches along the edges, but their real damage comes from the larvae—white grubs that feed on the roots of plants, especially those in containers. By the time you see wilting or yellowing leaves, the root damage may already be extensive.
Eco-Friendly Control:
Inspect pots regularly for signs of infestation. One of the most effective organic controls is the use of nematodes—microscopic worms that can be watered into the soil and naturally attack vine weevil larvae. These are completely harmless to people, pets, and other wildlife. You can also check under pots and in the soil for adult weevils and remove them by hand.
Urban Gardeners can provide seasonal nematode treatments and proactive weevil control to keep your container plants in top shape throughout the summer.
4. Caterpillars – Hungry Garden Guests
Butterflies are a welcome sight in summer gardens, but their larvae—caterpillars—can be voracious feeders. In August, you may find them munching on brassicas like cabbage and kale or even stripping your nasturtiums bare. While they are part of the ecosystem, too many can leave your garden looking like a salad bar.
Eco-Friendly Control:
Inspect the undersides of leaves for eggs and clusters of tiny caterpillars. Remove them gently by hand or use floating row covers to protect young plants. Another method is to attract birds, especially blue tits, by setting up feeders and nesting boxes. They’ll naturally help keep the caterpillar population in check.
If the infestation feels overwhelming, Urban Gardeners can carry out a full pest assessment and introduce gentle, organic controls that don’t disrupt the butterfly lifecycle.
5. Spider Mites – The Invisible Threat
Spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions, and their presence is often unnoticed until plants begin to yellow, dry out, or show signs of webbing. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and ornamentals like hibiscus are common targets. In August, as humidity drops and sunshine intensifies, these mites multiply rapidly.
Eco-Friendly Control:
Keep plants well-watered and misted to increase humidity—spider mites dislike moisture. You can spray plants with a mix of neem oil and water to deter them naturally. Introducing predatory mites is another option for serious infestations; they’ll hunt down spider mites without damaging plants.
Urban Gardeners uses natural oils and biological control agents as part of their eco-conscious garden maintenance packages across South East London.
Proactive Garden Maintenance Prevents Pest Problems
The best pest control strategy is a healthy, balanced garden. Here are some general tips to reduce pest pressure:
- Keep your garden tidy, removing dead leaves, debris, and weeds that harbor insects.
- Rotate crops in vegetable beds to prevent pest build-up.
- Use companion planting, such as marigolds to repel aphids or basil to deter spider mites.
- Encourage biodiversity—the more birds, beneficial insects, and wildlife in your garden, the fewer pests you’ll face.
Maintaining this kind of balance can be time-consuming. That’s where Urban Gardeners comes in. We offer seasonal garden care, pest monitoring, and organic treatments tailored to the specific needs of your South East London garden.
Call the Experts – Urban Gardeners South East London
Don’t let pests ruin your hard work this summer. From slugs and aphids to more elusive garden invaders, Urban Gardeners provides sustainable, non-toxic solutions that work with nature—not against it.
Whether you’re in Forest Hill, Brockley, Blackheath, or Peckham, we can help assess and treat your garden for August’s top pest threats.
📞 Call now: 07760 800 457
Let our expert team handle the pests, so you can enjoy a beautiful, thriving garden—naturally.
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