Archive for the ‘bugs’ Category

Trouble with Aphids in Your Greenhouse?

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

As summer closes and fall settles in, you may notice insect pests are settling in your greenhouse, too. Vegetation in your greenhouse provides an appetizing alternative to the outside garden. Aphids are a common greenhouse problem, and not the easiest to combat.

Keep them out! – Carefully monitoring plants you bring into your greenhouse is the first step in dealing with aphids. Choose healthy and vigorous plants, and spray them down with your garden hose to knock off any hitchhikers before you bring them into your greenhouse. If the plant has an obvious insect infestation, do not bring it into your greenhouse. Period. If you must, spray it with an insect control spray, or enclose it with a plastic bag in which you place an insecticide strip for two or three days. Hose your plant down after taking it out of the treatment bag, before transplanting it to your greenhouse.

Learn How to Get Rid Houseplant Bugs

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

You have spent thousands of greenbacks and numerous hours making your backyard your very own retreat. The two-story deck is eventually finished, the bulbs of your flowers are beginning to bloom and you’re ready to drag out the terrace chairs and revel in a nice cold iced tea. It’d be lovely if this scenario was perfect, but in most cases it’s realistically not going to occur. Why, you ask? The easy answer is pests – and tons of them.

If you do not take sensible precautions for stopping pests from entering your backyard, you could be signing up for years of mosquito issues, ant farms, wasp nests and more. Luckily we have tips for forestalling these sorts of insects from ever entering your garden.

* Nets. While mosquito nets are not always the most attractive yard accessories one could choose, they’re the most effective. If you do not desire mosquitoes, wasps for example. To enter your garden then think about adding a net.

* Spearmint, Southern Wood, Tansy. Growing plants like spearmint, southern wood and tansy will help prevent insects like ants from infecting your garden and patio area. If you already have an ant problem, consider splashing vinegar in random areas of your backyard to help eliminate the problem.

Getting Rid Of Lawn Pests

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

Do you have pests or gophers invading your lawn? Chances are, if you have a lawn you will run into a pest problem at some point. Some of the most common pests are the gopher and a close relative the mole. Perhaps, its because those pesky creatures, ants and other insects are finding your lawn attractive. What can you do to get them to stop them from burrowing and nesting in your yard. We will provide you with the answers and more within this article.

Most household lawns are not big enough to attract so many invaders that will cause a serious problem as a result, but, while they can be a nuisance and cause some serious damage to your lawn. Insects are not easily spotted, some are small and unnoticed by the human eye, however they can be seen in the patches of dead, brown grass they leave behind. Some signs of moles and gophers are a bit more obvious, such as dirt mounds on top of and beneath the lawn, tunnels and holes as well. Once the problem is identified, you can then choose how you are going to alleviate the issue.

Protect Yourself Against Lawn Pests

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009

Do you have pests or gophers invading your lawn? Chances are, if you have a lawn you will run into a pest problem at some point. Some of the most common pests are the gopher and a close relative the mole. Perhaps, its because those pesky creatures, ants and other insects are finding your lawn attractive. What can you do to get them to stop them from burrowing and nesting in your yard. We will provide you with the answers and more within this article.

Most household lawns are not big enough to attract so many invaders that will cause a serious problem as a result, but, while they can be a nuisance and cause some serious damage to your lawn. Insects are not easily spotted, some are small and unnoticed by the human eye, however they can be seen in the patches of dead, brown grass they leave behind. Some signs of moles and gophers are a bit more obvious, such as dirt mounds on top of and beneath the lawn, tunnels and holes as well. Once the problem is identified, you can then choose how you are going to alleviate the issue.

The Right Time To Fight Common Chickweed

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

Midwest January

During the January thaw is a good time to start fighting common chickweed. It is in flower now having germinated in September and October. Soon it will be setting ripening seed. Walk across the lawn now pulling out the chickweed plants by hand while their fresh green leaves are conspicuous against the brown soil.

Protecting Shallow Planted Tulips and Narcissus

The long unseasonable fall experienced in the Midwest last year encouraged growth of tulips and narcissus. During February thaws they will begin to peek through the soil. Before they get nipped by frost, cover the bed with 2 or 3 inches of peatmoss or compost. Next fall plant the bulbs deeper.

Watering Evergreens

Even if rain and snow have fallen recently, it would be wise to check the soil under the evergreens. In many places last falls drought left the subsoil extremely dry. The evergreens require moisture during the winter.

Dormant Spraying

Dormant sprays can be applied whenever the temperature remains above freezing for at least twelve hours. If the trees are subjected to freezing temperatures less than twelve hours after application of the spray, they will be injured when the emulsion of oil and sulfur separates.