Pest & Disease Control for Garlic Bulbs

Happily, garlic is not prone to most of the pest and disease problems that can occur in vegetable gardens—in fact, garlic acts as a natural pest repellent for itself as well as other plants. It can help deter deer, mice and voles, and is offensive to many insect pests.

NOTE: This is part 7 in a series of 9 articles. For a complete background on how to grow garlic bulbs, we recommend starting from the beginning.

Pests/Diseases

If your garlic plants should ever develop a problem, it will most likely be purple blotch, blight, thrips or white rot. Many remedies, both organic and synthetic, are available and have proven effective. Carefully follow all package directions for best results.

Purple Blotch and Blight

These two maladies are caused by fungus, and may occur under very wet or humid conditions. Look for small white spots on the leaves that are surrounded by a greenish circle. Purple blotch is so named because it causes the leaves to discolor and develop purplish areas.

Natural Control

Monterey Complete Disease Control
Monterey Liquid Copper Fungicide
Natural Guard® Neem

Chemical Control

Ferti-Lome® Broad Spectrum Landscape & Garden Fungicide
Ferti-Lome® Triple Action

Manual Control

Properly space garlic cloves when planting to promote good air circulation.

Thrips

If the leaves on your garlic plants are turning gray, you may have a thrip problem. The insects appear as tiny dark specks and can easily go undetected. Mites are less of problem, but occasionally appear at the base of the bulb roots and stunt the plant’s growth.

Natural Control

Natural Guard® Neem
Safer® Brand Insect Killing Soap

Chemical Control

Ferti-Lome® Triple Action
Hi-Yield® Vegetable & Ornamental Insect Control

Manual Control

Do not plant allium family members (onions, leeks, shallots, garlic) in the same spot the following season.

White Rot

This is another fungal disease that develops during cool weather, affecting the leaf bottoms and roots. Because the spores can survive for multiple years, rotate your garlic-planting location every year and be sure to clean up all fall debris in the bed before winter sets in.

Natural Control

Monterey Complete Disease Control
Monterey Liquid Copper Fungicide
Natural Guard® Neem

Chemical Control

Ferti-Lome® Broad Spectrum Landscape & Garden Fungicide
Ferti-Lome® Triple Action

Manual Control

Completely clean up and dispose of all fall debris (in the trash, not the compost pile) to prevent overwintering of disease.

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