Pests, Weeds & Problems

Overall even the most meticulous homes have had cockroaches at one time or another. This medium sized insect finds its way into our home and lurks in the darkness. If you have viewed one running...

Homeowners rid their lawns of moles not to protect the lawn (moles eat grubs, not roots) but instead because of aesthetics: their tunneling pushes up long unsightly ridges of soil. Poisonous...

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is one of the most troublesome perennial weeds in the northern U.S. because of its extensive root structure. It can reproduce both by seeds and through the root...

Rose of sharon (sometimes called althea) is a vigorous, blooming hibiscus shrub. It grows to 10 feet tall and has shiny leaves and either single or double blooms. Although many gardeners find rose...

Getting rid of mice can be difficult, but getting rid of the smell if they die inside your walls is more difficult. This usually happens when the mice are poisoned with a warfarin-based toxin. The...

Canadian thistle is an invasive weed common in North America that's tough to get rid of. With its prickly leaves and rapid growth, Canadian thistle can overtake a lawn, garden, or field overnight....

Worldwide, there are around 500 species of stinging nettle, sometimes called Tread Softly, Bull Nettle, or Finger Rot. While those found in the U.S. sting the skin, the discomfort doesn't last...

Depending on the type of bees you are dealing with, getting rid of them is a serious undertaking that can lead to injury or death. It is extremely important to follow every precaution necessary,...

The pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM) is a serious pest in Southeast Asia, Africa and Australia. Scientifically known as Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), it was first discovered in the Caribbean in...

Lichen are non-flowering fungus-like organisms that grow naturally on trees. They are generally harmless, but many gardeners have noticed their presence on delicate fruit and ornamental trees...

Wild violets (Viola papilionacea) are a native North America wildflower and are often considered a weed in landscaping. The leaves of the wild violet are heart-shaped and connect to small flowers....

Two species of invasive blackberries, Himalayan and Evergreen, grow prolifically in many areas around the world. They can grow just about anywhere, from the side of freeways to lush forests and...

Rasberry ants, also known as crazy ants and crazy rasberry ants, are an invasive ant species that is rapidly spreading across the state of Texas. Named after scientist Tom Rasberry who discovered...

Foxes are a natural predator that feed on anything they can find. Foxes have a reputation for taking advantage of poultry and livestock farmers as well as capturing small pets. Since they are a...

Snakes, like other forms of vermin, carry diseases and pests and can transfer them to humans and other animals. While it is typically recommended to leave the removal of snakes to animal control...

Moles are harmless mammals that live in underground burrows. Their large front feet and toenails allow moles to glide through the soil of pastures and gardens. Moles do not actually damage your...

Mexican bamboo is a large, tenacious plant that features stout wooden stalks, greenish-white flowers and triangular leaves. Its rapid growth and persistent system of roots, called rhizomes,...

Getting rid of disgusting roaches is challenging because you can never seem to completely do away with these bugs! Every time you think you did it you get up and turn on the light and they start...

There's something very satisfyingly primal about picking blackberries off the vine in your own backyard to eat in hand or bake a luscious cobbler. Left unchecked, blackberry bushes can expand...

Many times wasps nest are found in the ground. Wasps will bore into the dirt to build a nest safe from the outside world. Wasps can be very dangerous and are dangerous to those who are allergic to...

You likely will need a combination of tricks, and probably even a succession of them, to get rid of pigeons around your house. These pests are very determined. While objects such as fake owls,...

There is nothing more frustrating then having Canadian Geese take a liking to your property. Their droppings are large and all over the place. I had a house up in Long Island New York that was...

Atrazine is a commonly used chemically created odorless herbicide in the United States and countries around the globe. It is used primarily for grassy weed management in large commercial crop...

When I moved into my new husband’s house almost 11 years ago, I had no idea that we had roommates. These were not the usual kind of roommates living in the upstairs bedroom, but the kind that...

It's a bird lover's nightmare. No matter how much money I spend on bird feeders the squirrels always find a way to eat from them. I've bought feeders that are motorized, feeders that have...

Mosquitoes can be a real nuisance during the summer, not to mention potentially dangerous with the diseases that they transmit. This article looks at ways of keeping them out of your yard.

Bermudagrass can be very useful in some places as a tough hot weather grass or pasture, but, when it moves to gardens, concrete and asphalt it can become a real problem. Bermudagrass grows in...

Formosan subterranean termites are an exotic pest that are causing disaster to live oaks throughout the South. The USDA and Louisiana State University Agricultural Center have teamed up to try and...

All of a sudden you start hearing some noise coming from your attic. You have no idea what the noise is about. So you take your ladder and stick your head up in the attic. What you see is large...

Black flies are like giant, mutated mosquitoes in a way, and are a major problem in northeastern states and on the U.S./Canada border. These large flies are blood suckers and can ruin populations...

If you live in Hawaii or another tropical environment, you will likely have some unwanted visitors that decide to take up residence in your home. I have lost countless nights of sleep over rogue...

Ah nature! It's a funny thing to those of us who have evolved into the dominant species. We purchase our little pie-in-the-sky, just happy to own real estate and then we immediately set out to...

If you have any type of wood overhang at your residence, you are in danger of being infiltrated by mud wasps. They are problematic because they not only prevent access to part of your property if...

When you see signs of a small animal causing damage in your garden, to your flowers or to your car, you are left with few options for relieving this destructive and annoying invasion beyond a...

Figuring out how to get rid of chipmunks can be a daunting task. Alvin and the gang are cute, but real-life chipmunks can wreak havoc on your yard and cause significant damage to your house, even...

Farmers and gardeners worry about numerous pests and fungus infestations that can waste an entire crop. Also known as Sclerotinia, white mold can wilt and destroy vegetables and ornamental plants....

Cane borers are a large problem for berry crops. They destroy the brambles by boring into the cane to lay their eggs, causing them to weaken and break. They may also damage the crop by eating away...

It may have started with the strange finding of partially-eaten ripe tomatoes in your yard. Most likely, you had your eye on the most beautiful tomato in your garden, waiting for the moment of...

Growing fruit trees can not only provide income or sustenance but also can increase the beauty of a landscape. However, codling moths can damage all of these fruit tree benefits. To curb a...

Nothing is quite as annoying or embarrassing as fleas jumping up out of your carpet to bite at your ankles. In addition to the inconvenience of fleas taking up residence in your home, getting rid...

Seeing a bat flying around the inside of your house is at the least, disconcerting and at the most, terrifying. No matter how you feel about bats, they shouldn't be sharing your home. While seeing...

What is the Plant Ghetto? It's the dirty little corner that home gardeners across the world have in common. The neglected collection of nursery purchases we just had to have. If you've ever...

Biological pest control is a form of manipulating nature to control harmful pests. Simply speaking, biological pest control uses predator insects and pathogens to kill harmful insects that may...

Chickweed is commonly planted as a winter ground cover. It reseeds readily and can quickly become invasive. Weed control is the best way to keep your flowerbeds and lawn from being overtaken by...

Cigarette beetles are one of the most commonly seen beetles in the United States. They are small, flying, household insects found in climates hotter than 65 degrees.

Leaf miners are the larvae of insects that live inside the leaves of trees and plants. They are very common among citrus trees, but have been known to attack a number of different trees and some...

Swatting at sawflies leaves you frustrated and determined to rid your life of these pesky insects. Using chemical treatments or mechanical methods typically controls the infestation and damage...

The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a moth of Eurasian origin that was introduced to North America in the 1860s. It has no natural enemies there and has been expanding its range ever since. The...

Wasps are actually helpful insects because they prey on many plant-eating pests. Usually wasps prefer to avoid humans, but if they nest too close to a dwelling, they can present a problem....

No introduction is necessary if you live in the South: The scourge known as Kudzu is probably creeping toward your prized Purple Plum tree this very moment.