With a growing consciousness towards looking after our wildlife and environment we as well as many of our suppliers are reviewing the range of pesticides and herbicides that we provide. Evergreen in particular are surging forward with significant reductions in their herbicide and pesticide portfolios moving towards more organic or natural controls.
We stock a wide range of these innovative products from Evergreen and other trusted brands, and in this guide, we highlight the need to still apply these controls and the benefits and concerns of our favourites to help you find the best fit for your garden’s needs.
Need more help tackling pests?
Evergreen’s tips are a great place to start. You’ll find plenty of their top picks on our shelves, as well as other reputable brands, so you’ve got lots to choose from!
Evergreen’s Pest Control Tips
What Contact, Systemic, Organic, Chemical, and Specific Really Means
If you’ve ever browsed our fertiliser and chemical area, you’ve likely come across terms like contact, systemic, organic, and chemical, but what do they actually mean for your garden, and how do you choose the right one?
If you’re dealing with aphids on your roses or caterpillars chewing through your veggies, understanding the language of garden pest solutions can help you make more effective and responsible choices.
Here’s a breakdown of the key terms and how they apply to your garden care routine:
Contact Pest Control
These work by controlling the pests on contact, as soon as the insect touches the treated surface or is directly sprayed, the active ingredient begins to work.
Best for : Fast eradication of visible pests like aphids, whitefly, or caterpillars.
Pros:
- Quick results
- Great for spot treatments
- Less likely to provide issues up or down the food chain
- Less likely to affect non intended targets
Cons:
- Only effective on insects present at the time of spraying
- Don’t always affect larvae
- Often requires repeated application
Systemic Pest Control
These are absorbed by the plant and circulated through its tissues, when insects feed on the plant, they ingest the chemical and are eliminated.
Best for: Pests that are hard to reach or live under leaves or in the soil, such as vine weevils or root aphids. They are also good to use on plants that are prone to repeat offenders like aphids on roses for example. A systemic product provides both prevention and recovery.
Pros:
- Long-lasting protection
- Works even if you miss a spot when spraying
- Preventative spraying can stop issues from occurring
Cons:
- Can take longer to show results
- Spray and Crop times much longer – NB some are not suitable for edible plants unless clearly labelled as safe.
- As longer protection can harm non target insects.
- Only Pet and Child Safe once dry
Organic Pest Control
These products are made from natural sources and are approved for organic gardening, usually by the organic farmers association.
Common ingredients include rapeseed oil, pyrethrin (from chrysanthemum flowers), or plant-based soaps.
Best for: Gardeners looking to reduce chemical use and protect beneficial insects and pollinators.
Pros:
- Lower environmental impact
- Safer for children, pets, and wildlife (when used as directed)
- Non Neonicotinoid sprays do not affect bees
- Often less aggressive than chemical options
- Less likely to provide issues up or down the food chain
Cons:
May require more frequent application
Chemical Pest Control
These are synthetic pesticides designed to target specific pests, they often work faster and may last longer than organic options.
Best for: Serious infestations or when other methods haven’t worked.
Pros:
- Powerful and fast-acting
- Can provide lasting control, thus spraying less and potentially causing less disruption to other insects
Cons:
- Potentially harmful to non-target insects
- Neonicotinoid sprays can affect bees and other insects
- Only Pet and Child Safe once treated area is dry
- Increasingly restricted due to environmental concerns
Specific Pest Control
These are designed to target a specific pest or pest group, such as a “vine weevil killer” or “aphid spray.”
Best for: Focused control where you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
Pros:
- Reduces harm to beneficial insects and non target insects
- More precise and environmentally friendly
Cons:
- May not help if other pests are present
- Requires accurate pest identification
Choosing the right control depends on your garden’s needs, your values, and the type of pests you’re dealing with. Many gardeners now lean toward organic or specific treatments to protect the broader garden ecosystem, especially pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Read labels carefully, consider the impact on your plants and the planet, and don’t be afraid to try natural solutions first before turning to stronger chemical options.
We recommend using the following products:
Nematodes
Nematodes are the fastest growing type of specific organic control. These use predatory insects or microorganisms that target specific insects or pests. Focusing purely on those insects and expire once the ‘food’ source is eliminated. Nematodes must be stored in correct conditions and do perish is kept unused. These will need applications each time the problem resurfaces.
Although we are currently not stocking nematodes, they are available online and it is our intention to provide this service in store this autumn or by next spring.
Rose Clear
Helps shield plants from disease outbreaks, for optimal effectiveness, apply at the first signs of infection and maintain regular treatments throughout the growing season.
Effectively eliminates larvae and adult stages of aphids (including greenfly and blackfly), spider mites, and whiteflies. Whilst also tacking black spot and mildew which roses are susceptible to, particularly as aphids often act as a pathogen.
Ideal for use on roses and ornamental plants and suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.
BugFree
Effectively targets a wide range of sap-sucking and leaf-feeding insects, including aphids, thrips, spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, scale insects, beetles, and caterpillars. Also eliminates eggs and larvae. Formulated with natural ingredients and free from neonicotinoids. Certified for organic use.
At the first sign of infestation, apply a fine mist to fully cover the leaves and stems of affected plants, be sure to spray the undersides of leaves for thorough coverage.
Smart Killer (Provanto)
A systemic insecticide designed to control sap-feeding pests such as aphids, leafhoppers, scale insects, and whiteflies. It contains flupyradifurone, a foliar insecticide from the butanolide chemical class, and it works both on contact and through ingestion.
With systemic action, it not only kills pests on contact but is also absorbed by the plant to provide long-lasting protection against future infestations.
Suitable for use in homes, greenhouses, and conservatories. Can be applied to a wide variety of crops including ornamental plants, apples, and fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, chillies, and cucumbers.
