This snout beetle punches holes in the baby pods to lay eggs, and uncontrolled, will ruin almost all the peas. I've had to resort to spraying three times about six days apart beginning when the baby pods are 1 inch long. Then I learned of another approach, which I plan to try. Dr. W. L. Ogle, a retired professor of horticulture from Clemson University, simply grows his peas after the curculio has gone. Dr. Ogle, who helped developed the popular Hercules and Colossus varieties, plants his peas about the first of July.
Aphids are an occasional problem but are readily dislodged with a forceful water spray.
If a strong shot of water is not possible, insecticidal soap will control these little pests. In other locations, thrips, stinkbugs, loopers, and the lessor corn borer have damaged pea crops. However, preventive measures may be the best treatment for borers. Take plant debris and the overwintering pests it harbors to a hot compost pile before planting your pea crop. Check with your Extension agent for the least toxic control in your area if stinkbugs become an excessive problem.