Root-Feeding Grubs

• Grubs are the larvae of beetles, and some of them are serious root-feeding pests. The larvae of the bean leaf beetle feed on the roots of bean plants. As roots are damaged, the plants' ability to use nitrogen is compromised. Other beetle larvae, like that of the flea beetle, bore holes into roots of corn, tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant. Root-feeding grubs can cause wilting, weak plants and even death.
  
  

Control

• Controlling grubs can be difficult, but following some basic rules can help keep them in check. Many vegetables have pest-resistant varieties; planting these in your garden can greatly reduce your insect problems. Use mesh row covers to protect plants from adult beetles and prevent them from laying eggs near the roots. Four-year rotations can ensure that overwintering grubs don't have food in the spring. Remove infested plants immediately and keep your garden free of debris. Pheromone traps can disrupt adult beetle breeding cycles, and hand-picking them off plants is a simple way to remove and destroy them. Eliminating breeding adults will eventually eliminate grubs in the soil.
  
  

Maggots

• Maggots are the larval forms of flies, and in the garden they can be quite problematic. Not all maggots are root feeders, but some, like the cabbage maggot, can tunnel through roots or cause damage to the root surfaces. The cabbage maggot prefers broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower but will eat radishes, turnips, celery and other vegetables. Maggots can also feed directly on vegetables. The female pepper maggot fly lays eggs under the skin of a pepper. As the maggots grow, they feed on the core of the pepper, eventually causing it to drop off the plant.
  
  

Control

• Controlling maggots, like many other insect pests, means controlling both adults and larvae. Mesh row covers can help prevent flies from laying eggs in or around your vegetables. Practice good sanitation. Remove and destroy any infected plant matter immediately. Keep your garden free of places that adult flies might rest, such as tall weeds. Tilling the soil in the fall can expose overwintering maggots to predators. If you feel pesticides are necessary, contact your local university's extension for recommendations in your area.