Monitoring Fence Plants for Pests and Disease

Pests and diseases can be some of the most troublesome aspects of tending a garden. When you grow fence plants, you should not only be prepared to treat some of the most common garden pests and diseases, but you’ll also need to know of a few specific complications that are more likely when plants grow near fences.
Garden Pests to Watch Out for When Growing Fence Plants
Insect pests are a relevant concern for nearly any plant that you choose to grow. Here are a few such insects that you should be on the lookout for whether or not you grow plants near a fence:
  • Aphids
  • Caterpillars
  • Cutworms
  • Mites
  • Slugs
  • Snails
  • Scale
  • Weevils
  • Whiteflies
Interestingly, there are a few specific insects that may be more prevalent if you grow your plants near a fence. Mainly, these insects will be attracted to wooden fences and can move to your plants as well:
  • Borers
  • Beetles
  • Termites
Common Diseases for Fence Plants
As is true regarding insects, common garden diseases are also something you should be on the lookout for when growing a fence garden. Here are a few of the most prevalent garden diseases that good gardeners learn how to deal with:
  • Black spot
  • Blight
  • Canker
  • Shot hole
  • Black knot
  • Rust
  • Fruit scabs
Along with those common garden diseases, there are a few diseases that can be more common in fence gardens. These diseases are most likely to arise when a fence blocks sunlight, allowing moisture to accumulate that would normally evaporate. In the presence of such excessive moisture, these diseases are the most likely to arrive:
  • Mold
  • Powdery mildew
  • Rot
Be Prepared to Treat Fence Plant Pests and Diseases
Knowing about common plant pests and diseases does not mean much if you don’t know how to treat them. Proper treatment of these problems begins with correctly identifying what infestation or infection your plant is dealing with. After identifying the issue, it will be much easier to find a suitable solution.
As you would guess, the treatment plans for pests and diseases will change depending on the pest or disease in question. However, many of these common garden problems can be resolved with the application of insecticide or fungicide. Proper maintenance, including preventing moisture building up, is just as important for the prevention of infestation and disease.