How to manage pest attacks in your garden

The Turnera plant attracts insects like ladybirds, which are pests’ natural enemies. Photos: Assoc Prof Dr Norida Mazlan

The first step in pest control is to identify the pest, as not all insects you see in your garden are harmful. Most common insect pests damage plants by chewing or sucking the leaf cellular fluid sap, which causes discolouration.

Some insects also transmit viruses.