Here come the pests, yikes!

Now that we have had an expend period of warm and even hot temperatures here come the pests. Those unwanted chewing and sucking insects that have been laying in wait to start feeding on our trees, shrubs and perennials. Other pests are rabbits, squash bugs, powdery mildew and fungus are considered pests. Pests are anything that disrupts the plants ability to grow properly.
Aphids have been sited in those gardens that may have suffered some kind of stress. It is important to know that insects don't see your plant material, they smell out those that might be in stress. Then the eggs are laid in the fall, and now they are ready for some food, your plant.
I have provided two links below from the UNR Cooperative Extension program that deals with Aphids and another that deals with are you sure you have a pest. These have been prepared by experts that see these problems day in and day out.
Insect ID is not easy and needs to be done correctly so you use the proper method of control and removal. The photo below is a photo of aphids on a crabapple, there are other colors as well, tan, brown and even yellow.
You can take your samples to the extension office at:
4955 Energy Way Reno Nevada    775-784-4848
Link to Aphid control from the University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension.
http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/ho/2002/fs0210.pdf
http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/ho/2012/fs1223.pdf