Pests, Weeds & Problems

Common burdock (Arctium minus) is a weed that can take an economic toll on farmers. Damage caused by its burrs can reduce the value of sheep wool. Cattle that eat it produce bitter-tasting milk....

Bamboo is a tough plant that is notoriously hard to kill. Though many people enjoy its delicate appearance and use it to provide privacy from neighbor's yards, it grows rapidly and can quickly...

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...

Bahia grass is a warm season grass that is resistant to drought, insects, disease and various types of fertile and infertile soils. This grass is not an aggressive plant, but its roots can go...

Wild onion is a tall, green plant that grows naturally in most landscapes and it can be bothersome due to its pungent order, its tendency to choke out the existing plant life nearby and its fast...

Devil grass has earned its name for a reason. Also known as wire grass, dogs tooth grass, and Bermuda grass, devil grass can steal nutrients from the soil that would otherwise be used by your...

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...

Bermuda grass is a common grass favored in warm climates. It's a popular choice for lawns, athletic fields and golf courses because it is a hardy grass that requires little maintenance. However,...

Overseeding a lawn is common practice and can be done with some simple materials, a small amount of time and care. It is important to get rid of all weeds in the lawn before overseeding, and...

Pampas grass is a type of plant that reproduces millions upon millions of seeds without pollination. This large grass can be an annoyance because it can take away from the other visually pleasing...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Clover is considered a weed when it is found in lawns, though some homeowners like it for its look and ability to surpass other weeds. Clover weed should be attacked as soon as it's seen, since...

Kikuyu, or kakuya, grass, an aggressive perennial weed, was originally imported from Kenya around 1918 for use as a ditch cover. The grass has outlived its welcome in California, where it invades...

Weeds are an unsightly annoyance on your lawn, and, once they've germinated, they can be difficult to remove without damaging the grass around them. Apply a pre-emergent weed control (herbicide)...

Musk thistle is an aggressive, biennial weed that propagates solely from seed. It is found mostly in grassland and pasture locations, especially in the western United States. To control musk...

Honeysuckle vine is a flowering vine which produces nectar-bearing blooms. The vines of the honeysuckle are so hardy they are often used to weave baskets. The honeysuckle vine, though beautiful in...

Glyphosate is the most effective herbicide for eradicating zoysia grass. If zoysia grass is encroaching upon or springing up in your vegetable garden, you must take care that the herbicide does...

Crabgrass and dandelions are two of the most pernicious weeds in nearly every lawn across America. Controlling them can be difficult, especially when trying to keep the good grasses around them...

Its name notwithstanding, Bermuda grass actually came to the United States from Africa. It has a wiry appearance, with flat, pointy leaves and fine white strands like hair at the point where the...

In the United States, honeysuckle plants such as Amur, which is native to Asia, run rampant without any controls. This invasive species is not to be confused with the native, beneficial...

Poison oak is a close relative of poison ivy and poison sumac. These three plants all have leaves that are coated with an oily substance called urushiol. Most people are allergic to urushiol,...

Is your yard being invaded by those common purple thistles? Canadian thistle (Cirsium arvense), often referred to as Canada thistle, can appear to be a very attractive flowering plant at first...

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...

Anyone who has a garden knows that weeds can ruin the aesthetic pleasure of a landscape. Weed killers sometimes mystify people because they destroy weeds and leave "good" vegetation alone. Even...

Also known as a periwinkle or myrtle, vinca minor is a pretty plant that can quickly turn into a problem in your flowerbeds. It is a ground covering known to spread, swallowing other plants in its...

Grass that has become overrun by weeds in your yard or garden can be detrimental to the health of new plants. Weeds steal moisture, sunlight and nutrients from seedlings, keeping them from growing...

Horsetail weed is one of the oldest plants known on earth and may have been around for the dinosaurs' salad bar. This plant is a great nuisance today, but traditionally was harvested and used as a...

Japanese grass, also known as stilt grass, is a prolific, invasive species that arrived in the United States from Japan, perhaps in packing materials, about 1900. It has a wiry stem from which...

English ivy is a vine that climbs almost any surface. Its leaves and berries contain toxins that can be very harmful if ingested. It also tends to grow very rapidly and climbs trees as it searches...

Grass burs, also known as sand burs and sandspurs, are weeds that thrive in sandy soil. The blades of grass burs are an attractive, shiny green; these plants could almost be confused with...

Removing grass from the areas where you will grow your seedlings can seem a daunting task. However, if done properly, you will have a grass free location for your seedlings. Seedlings need to grow...

Gingerroot is known around the world for its many medicinal and culinary uses. Wild gingerroot, however, is known for its pesky infestations, which can literally overtake any type of vegetation...

The goal of most homeowners is to have an attractive lawn, however, many are faced with the problem of weeds taking over their lawn. Be sure to check regularly for weeds. Pull any weeds that are...

Gravel driveways provide the best conditions for weeds to grow. Weeds aren't just unsightly; dry weeds that are tall enough could absorb heat from your car and catch fire.

Carpet grass is an extremely hardy perennial that grows well in shady, high-traffic areas. The root system is very shallow so it not drought tolerant. People use it for erosion control since it...

"Quake grass" is a short name for "quaking grass" because it has spikelets that move at the slightest breeze. It more commonly goes by the name "quack grass." They are a particularly resistant...

Crabgrass is a common weed that forms in patches or large clumps. Most species are low-growing and annual summer plants. It grows best in full, hot sunlight. Controlling crabgrass is not easy. If...

Creeping Charlie, also known as Creeping Jenny or ground ivy, can be a difficult garden weed to control. Introduced to North America by European settlers, the bright green plant with round leaves...

Water lilies typically come in two colors, white or yellow. These flowering plants thrive in freshwater locations, which makes them ideal for ponds. However, if the conditions are right, they can...

The endless battle with weeds around your garden and walkway can feel never-ending. You may have noticed unwanted plants popping up in between cracks in your patio, or perhaps grass is taking over...

Crab grass is a late-emerging grass species often referred to as "Fall grass." Crab grass is thicker and taller than most other grass types found in lawns and thus gives your lawn a patchy look...

The lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) and trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) are two relatively common types of garden weeds found growing in many North American gardens. The Lily of the...

Common chickweed is a very prolific and hardy weed. It thrives in almost any climate and tolerates both wet and dry soil. This fast-growing plant can produce seeds continually for weeks and...

A common pest that infests Bermuda grass found on golf courses and lawns Bahia grass which is also known as "highway grass." Bahia grass is an extremely aggressive weed grass that will form a...

Poison ivy is difficult to eliminate because just brushing against it is enough to create an allergic reaction. The plant excretes urushiol oil, causing the tell-tale itching and rash when it...

Nut grass, also known as nut sedge, is a common weed that can be difficult get rid of since it grows rapidly in sunlight. The weed can be restricted by shade, but it typically grows in open field...