Pests, Weeds & Problems

Agricultural pest control is time-consuming and expensive, and depending on the product used, can also be polluting. While chemical pesticides can be very effective at reducing agricultural pests,...

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,...

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....

In this article I will show you how to use pesticides safely. Follow the steps below for proper use.

Mosquitoes can be a huge problem for any garden, especially gardens that have tomatoes. Several methods exist to get rid of mosquito problems such as with repellents, different varieties of...

You can use these 6 steps to prevent pests from invading your garden, without the use of pesticides.

Pesticides are a temporary fix for controlling pests on grapevines or any plant. In addition pesticides pose environmental risks due to improper application, drift of pesticides onto non-targeted...

Lawn chemicals fall into two major categories: fertilizers and pesticides. While the aim is to benefit lawns, these chemicals pose risks for humans and wildlife, especially if applied improperly....

Pest control products are chemicals used to minimize or eliminate undesirable plants, insects or rodents. Herbicides, insecticides and rodenticides--collectively called pesticides--can improve...

Have you had the misfortune to become acquainted with fire ants? Have roaches invaded your kitchen? Have ants become uninvited guests at your breakfast table? Avoid repeating those miserable...

Most lawns are the perfect habitats for a variety of pests that can terrorize whatever is in the lawn as well as the actual grass itself. A wide variety of pest controls and treatments can be...

Greenhouse thrips are an annoying parasite commonly found in perennial ornamental plants and fruit trees. Though quite small, not normally growing larger than 20 mm, they can be detected on the...

Grubs are the adolescent form of many beetles. They are C-shaped with brown heads and white bodies. Because they live in the soil and eat the roots of grass, they are damaging to lawns and...

Grubs are the adolescent form of many beetles. They are C-shaped with brown heads and white bodies. Because they live in the soil and eat the roots of grass, they are damaging to lawns and...

All that hard work you've been doing with your lawn, and you still have a few weeds sprouting in various places. Fortunately, most of those are of the broadleaf variety, which means that you can...

The silverfish can cause damage to your most valued possessions--your important documents and your collectible books. Although they are annoying, they are not harmful to people. The key of getting...

Hostas are a very hardy plant that will grow in almost any kind of soil and thrive in many different climates. Hostas, like other plants, are a food source for insects and other pests at times,...

Smalls ants aren't quite the nuisance that fire ants and similar aggressive species are, but they can still cause a number of problems. No one likes to see a line of ants across their kitchen...

Ants are one of the most common insects on Earth. Ants are known for their predator and scavenger characteristics. Although it may be pleasant to think of a world without these tiny critters, ants...

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...

Fire ants come in several species, originating in both the United States and in South America. They are differentiated from other species of ants by their levels of aggression, their painful bite,...

While many people use the terms insecticide and pesticide interchangeably, they are not precisely the same. They have overlapping but not identical uses. However, pesticides and insecticides must...

Aphids are small insects that eat the leaves, stems and shoots of many plants. They have long, thin mouthpieces that they use to pierce leaves and stems and suck the juice of the plant. This...

A clover mite is a tiny mite related to spiders and ticks. The mites are reddish-green in color with front legs that are as long as their body. Their pest status comes from their sheer numbers, as...

Though maintaining a garden has many benefits, one of its most annoying aspects is contending with pests. Luckily, pesticides are available to keep your lawn and plants healthy. However, if not...

Termites infest houses and buildings in colonies that rival beehives for sheer numbers. They feed on wood that makes up the framework and can cause massive structural damage. Houses that have been...

If you are trying to grow a garden, bugs can be a big problem. There are many options for pest control. Some people use pesticides made from chemicals, while others prefer means that are more...

Moss does not have roots and does not take up water from soil, so it requires areas that receive either falling or flowing water to grow. This makes the roof of a house an ideal growing spot, but...

A pest is a broad term to define any entity that threatens the health or safety of the environment or people. Pesticides are the means of removing, preventing or killing pests. Pests can be weeds,...

People are becoming more aware of the dangers associated with pesticides in food as well as in our soil and water. You can choose organic produce at the supermarket, but in our own gardens we're...

June bugs are small beetles that generally appear in the spring months--May or June--through the fall. They are found throughout North America and are usually nocturnal. As grubs (larvae), June...

Pyrethrins are toxic substances used in a variety of household and agricultural insect control products. There are conflicting reports about their safety, but the general consensus is that they do...

Japanese beetles, though shiny and somewhat attractive with their metallic green or copper exoskeletons (the hard outer layer), are major pests in North America. They attack such flowering trees...

Termites can be a home owners worst enemy. Termite infestation can last for years and if not treated properly can cause serious structural damage to your home. My friend worked in the pest control...

Centipedes can run rapidly across floors and can appear to be chasing human beings while attempting to hide from the light. Multiple long legs and fast movement can be startling, and floors busy...

If you have stinging ants in your yard and need to kill them, there are lots of ways to do it with pesticides. When I found an anthill while pulling weeds from the cracks in my sidewalk, a flood...

Getting rid of house flies without using harmful pesticides or loud bug zappers is easy. There is nothing more irritating than a buzzing fly in your kitchen. Flies spend most of their time on...

An abundance of mosquitoes can ruin your enjoyment of the outdoors during the time of year you most wish to be out grilling or throwing a garden party. They also can transmit heartworm to your pet...

Just about everybody can relate to being consumed alive by the pesky little mosquito during backyard barbecues in the summertime, but who likes wearing all that spray on stuff that stinks of bug...

Since pesticides are designed to kill or keep away different pests, they are generally unhealthy for all organisms. There are many differences in effect, since pesticides designed to kill a...

Having children and a dog, I hate to use chemical either in my hour or in my lawn to eliminate pests. Pesticides can do wonders but I just don’t feel it is worth the risk when there are...

In order to kill wasps without using pesticides, a simple household remedy of soap and water can be used in a pump spray. Find out how to soak a wasps' nest in soapy water to drive them away with...

It's bad enough that you can't buy produce at a supermarket without having to worry about ingesting harmful chemicals, but it's even worse when you have to rely on dangerous pesticides to keep...

Biopesticides, or biological pesticides, are pest control agents obtained from natural substances, such as plants, minerals and bacteria. One advantage of using biopesticides over conventional...

Japanese beetles are one of the most annoying and destructive pests in the northeastern United States. Accidentally introduced to the country in 1916, the Japanese beetle thrives in the...

Moles are a common problem in yards, gardens and woodlands. The mole is a burrowing animal that can wreak havoc on your lawn and garden as it "swims" under the surface in its search for grubs and...

Tadpoles are harmless, noiseless creatures that are actually great for the environment. However, if you fear your yard will soon be swarming with frogs or toads, here are some nature-friendly...

Rats and other household pests seek places that fill their basic survival needs of food, water and shelter. Once they have established a place to live and breed, pests can be difficult to...

Fleas feed on the warm blood of dogs, cats and other animals and then immediately jump from the food source. Having a pet does not necessarily mean there will be fleas, but the likeliness is...

Commercial pesticides contain poisons that kill unwanted pests in the garden. These same poisons kill many unsuspecting visitors. Birds, mice, and rabbits can be poisoned and die because of the...