Autumn jobs for less pests
All of the pests that we encounter in the UK are native to Northern Europe and can survive our winters. They have a winter state, often eggs, that then hatch out in the spring.
So reducing the number of pests right now is super important, even if there aren't any plants that need saving.
Plants still suffering from pests
If you have plants that are still suffering from either aphids (greenfly/blackfly), spider mite, thrips among others you should be doing your best to reduce the pest numbers right down. A great product for this is lacewing larvae as they will prey on a number of pests.
Pots & canes
Instead of stacking the used pots and canes in a corner, give them a wash in soapy water and wrap them up ready for use. They both provide great places for pests such as aphids to lay eggs.
Sweeping & tidying
Clear dead plants from beds & sweep up fallen leaves. If you don't have a compost area try and make space away from your beds to keep the leaves etc. It's great to make homes for insects over the winter...just not where you plant to grow things in the future.
Greenhouses & cold frames
Before you fill the greenhouse, polytunnel or cold frame with plants from the garden (or new seedlings) have a really good clean. Not only will you get rid of some pests, cleaning the glass/plastic will allow more light in which is great for the plants.
Clean existing plants, benches and down all the cracks, horticultural soap is great for this. If you have had a spider mite problem over the warmer months put some slow release sachets up now, they are active right down to 6°C.
Soil based pests
The likes of slugs, vine weevil and root pests will have been laying eggs for a few months now. Slugs will be hatching out while the soil is still warm and vine weevil grubs will have started to feed. Clean the soil out with beneficial nematodes to break the life cycle.