Pest Description

• Aphids have tiny, soft bodies and measure from 1/16 to 3/8 inch long. They come in several colors, from tan to nearly black. You'll need a magnifying glass to get a good look at spider mites, because they are incredibly small and can barely be seen with the naked eye. They use mouthparts to pierce the pansy when they attack. Slugs and snails are wormlike mollusks that need to stay moist constantly to survive.
  
  

Attack Mode

• Aphids gather on the growing leaves and stems of pansies. They, and spider mites, puncture the plant's tissue and suck out the sap. Slugs and snails hide under leaves, mulch and flower pots during the day, where it's still moist, and come out to feed on the foliage, stems and flowers during the night.
  
  

Evidence of Infestation

• When aphids attack, they leave honeydew behind. Sooty mold fungus likes to feed on this, which leads to dark fungal growth. The pansy also deforms and becomes stunted. Spider mites leave behind tiny holes in the leaves as their early warning sign. If you overlook that, tiny tan spots will develop, eventually turning the leaves tan or yellow and killing them. A webbing also can be visible on the leaves. Slugs and snails leave behind irregular, large holes in the flowers and leaves, along with a slimy trail of mucus.
  
  

Ways To Control

• Aphids' reproduction rate makes it difficult to control them using pesticides. Lacewings and ladybird beetles, among other insects, naturally feed on aphids and are attracted to nectar plants with small flowers. However, if natural predators don't do the trick, try insecticidal soap or malathion, permethrin, carbaryl, acephate or cyfluthrin sprays.
  
  The chances of a spider mite infestation lessen if you grow pansies in cooler weather, like fall or spring. If one does occur, though, you can spray the plant with insecticidal soap on a weekly basis as long as needed.
  
  Remove leaf litter and mulch near plants to reduce the kind of moist conditions that favor slugs and snails. Picking them off by hand for a few hours after dark, with the aid of a flashlight, works and so does making traps for them. Attract them with a yeast smell then drown them by placing shallow containers filled with beer. Place the containers in indentations so that their rims are even with the soil line. Encourage these pests to come along by watering the area before placing the trap. Or place a board on the ground and raise it by an inch to provide a daytime hiding place for them. Just lift the board and dispose of any pesty creatures you see.