Tips for backyard pests

Summer’s heat found its way to central Texas and backyard heat-loving vegetables are thriving.

Paired with some recent rainstorms, our gardens look lush and green. As the temperatures rise and the spring rains recede, dry conditions will draw many thirsty pests to your backyard in search of food.

“Sucking” insects such as thrips, aphids, spider mites and leaf-footed bugs use their needlelike mouthparts to pierce plants to drain moisture and nutrients from leaves, flowers and fruits.