Pests, Weeds & Problems

A tick is a small arachnid that has the ability to transmit diseases to its animal or human host. The tick sinks its mouth parts in to the host and begins to draw blood out. During this process,...

Rice paper plants also go by the name Tetrapanax papyiferus and are a member of the ginseng family. This plant grows very well in tropical areas and has leaves up to 15 inches wide. Unfortunately,...

Not all birds are welcome around the home. Take barn swallows, for instance: they can be very messy, especially if they build nests inside a garage or under the eaves of a house. They can also...

Nothing is more frustrating than crawling into a nice warm bed after a stressful day and being woken up from a peaceful slumber by the loud meowing of a cat just outside your bedroom window. ...

Leafcutter bees are usually grayish-black in color, with lighter bands around their abdomen. Their size is similar to that of a honeybee; however, unlike honeybees, leafcutters are solitary in...

Crepe myrtles (also spelled crape myrtle) are multi-stemmed shrubs famous for their long-lasting blooming period. They can be grown south of zone 6, that is, the states south of Virginia. They are...

Alfalfa is a plant widely used to feed livestock and pets. It is often harvested as hay and sold as such. Alfalfa is preferred over regular Timothy hay because it is rich in fiber, vitamin C and...

Clover fescue is a hardy grass often used for grazing livestock. Clover fescue has deep roots and will form a dense sod. It can grow over 48 inches in height if left unmanaged. Although clover...

Pesky little gnats flying around your plants? Are there tiny, narrow slime trails crisscrossing your plant's soil? If so, fungus gnats have taken up residence in your potted plants. Fungus gnats...

For the most part raccoons prefer to live their lives in the wild, but the ever encroaching human presence has caused these otherwise solitary animals to search for food in many people's...

Thistle and its subspecies are found throughout the North America. Though some species are native, non-native Eurasian species such as Canada thistle are considered weeds. It is an opportunistic,...

When dealing with weeds forming in newly established sod, it is important to consider what type of turfgrass you are trying to establish, along with what type of weeds that you want to eradicate....

Getting rid of unwanted grass can be a difficult proposition. Digging up the grass can work temporarily, but unless every root is removed, grass can grow back. Killing grass from the roots up is...

Parramatta grass is a clumping grass that invades pastures and chokes out other more productive grasses. It flourishes in swampy areas and land occupied by vehicles or machinery. Parramatta grass...

For best results for your garden, soil testing is recommended. Soil testing can provide useful information such as pH and nutrient content. These measurements can guide plant selection decisions....

Caterpillars attack and inhabit many trees, including fruit trees, producing webs and eating foliage. A serious infestation will stunt the growth of the tree and make it susceptible to disease....

Reports of birds being persistent pests in urban and rural areas are quite common. One of the biggest issues is the droppings they leave behind. Cleaning up after them can be a real hassle....

Once a colony of ants finds its way in to your home, you have a battle on your hands. All it takes is for the ants to find one crumb or drop of syrup on your kitchen floor, and they are on their...

Hookworms are a parasite that infects mostly dogs, but sometimes cats and very infrequently humans. The hookworms move into the animal's intestine and cause blood loss, infection and possibly...

Carpenter bees are large bees, approximately one inch long. They are yellow and black, closely resembling bumblebees. Unlike bumblebees, however, the abdomen of a carpenter bee is usually a shiny...

Roundup is one of the most popular herbicides for controlling weeds. When used properly, Roundup is safe and effective. But like any product that has strong chemicals, Roundup should only be used...

Milk thistle also goes by the name blessed milk thistle and Silybum marianum. It is harmful to the touch and chokes out other plant life. Milk thistle flower heads are very large, spiny, and...

Carpenter bees are large, yellow and black bees, solitary in nature, that are frequently observed hovering near the eaves of houses, as well as the untreated wood on porches, and decks. Carpenter...

Unsightly patches of discoloration on an otherwise green lawn sometimes indicate grubs beneath the surface. Left unchecked, these half-grown beetles can eat away at your lovely lawn so voraciously...

Thistles can be beautiful plants but are intrusive in grazing pastures where they steal nutrients and sunlight from grasses grown for livestock. All types of thistle spread by seed and some, such...

The kangaroo rat is a type of rodent found throughout dry regions in the continental U.S., excluding Alaska. Because the kangaroo rat feeds on grains, plant seeds and the plants themselves, the...

Bird can be incredibly beautiful creatures when they're out flying in the world. However, when they're nesting under your deck, you might wish they had chosen some other place to build their home....

A wasp or hornet's nest on a tree outside your home can be a dangerous problem. The nest can be even more troubling if it is located on your house. Raid hornet and wasp sprays are designed to kill...

Mosquitoes are six-legged flying insects that feed on blood, both from animals and humans. No one wants to deal with these pesky insects. Even though they inject a numbing agent when they bite,...

Tick infestations are a common occurrence in many parts of the United States. They can be a real nuisance, attaching themselves to pets and humans alike. The biggest problem with ticks is that...

A sure fire way of getting rid of honey bees that have taken up residence in our near your home.

Clover is a small green weed, with a flower that blooms beginning in the late spring and throughout the summer. It spreads quickly and is often difficult to evict once it has settled into your...

Nematodes are microscopic worms that in some forms actually benefit plant life, but in others they burrow into the roots and destroy the plant. For the fig tree, the latter is the case. Rootknot...

Ack! Have you had it up to HERE with those neighborhood feral cats that use your yard as their personal litter box? Here are some ideas to keep feral cats out of the yard.

Corn gluten meal can be used a natural, organic herbicide by preventing sprouting seeds from rooting. It's important to note that this is a pre-emergent herbicide, so it won't kill weeds or...

Ladybugs are harmless creatures designed to eat and eliminate all aphids within their vicinity. But if you don't like the little red bugs around your home or garden, there are a few easy steps you...

Geckos are small tropical lizards about 4 inches in length. In warmer climates, geckos are often found in homes. They range in color from gray to green. They are able to scale vertical walls...

For some, a lush green lawn is a crowning achievement. If you have a grub problem, these pesky insects can ruin a beautiful lawn by laying eggs and feeding on the roots of the grass, resulting in...

An all natural insecticide that works on veggie gardens or flowers and bushes and trees.

Malathion is a pesticide that is used to control many pests. Mosquitoes, Japanese beetles, Mediterranean fruit flies, aphids and vinegar flies are some of the pests it controls. The basic use of...

What do we do if our garden is invaded by the dreaded subterranean dwellers – gophers, moles, and armadillos? There are methods of eliminating these garden pests, such as using traps or various...

The ginger plant has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes and in many different cuisines. This plant is a tuber, meaning its roots are the part of the plant which is sought after. Some...

Mold is a serious problem when it attaches itself to buds and leaves on plants. The mold can completely destroy a garden in just a few months. While there is no way to cure buds and leaves that...

It's tough, it's spiny, it's hairy, and it's taking over your yard. Thistle---whether it's of the musk, tall or Canada variety---is a very difficult weed to eliminate from your lawn or garden once...

Garter snakes, sometimes called garden snakes, are small nonpoisonous snakes that live in your yard. There are different varieties, but the most common have subtle colors. Usually they have dark...

Honeysuckle vines are not to be confused with honeysuckle bushes. The former is Lonicera japonica (a.k.a. Japanese honeysuckle) while the latter is Lonicera maackii, which, being a shrub, is much...

Wild garlic (Allium vineale) and wild onion (Allium canadense) are similar-looking weeds, though the former has round, hollow leaves and the latter has flat. Fortunately the treatment for...

When you think about the safety of your family, pets and surroundings, going green is almost always the best option. It's possible to have a nontoxic and inexpensive way to rid your environment of...

Insect bites are one of the unfortunate drawbacks of the warmer months and time spent in nature. Insect bites often result in the implantation of various chemicals, which the insects use to...

Bats are beneficial mammals that eat 30 to 100 percent of their body weight in insects each night. However, you may want to avoid having them near your home. Keeping bats out of your home is as...