The bane of many gardeners, especially rose-growing ones, is the gopher. While this voracious pest loves roses, they’re not fussy – in fact, there aren’t a lot they DON’T like! The pocket gopher is named for the external, fur-lined cheek pouches the critters use to carry food to their storage area. Their exposed chisel-like teeth […]
If you have some new seedling coming up, and some seem to be clipped off right at the soil level, it may be cutworms. These pests feed on blossoms and leaves of many ornamental plants and attack most edible garden crops, clipping off seedling stems near or just below the soil level. A few species
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Pesticides are widely used in our homes and gardens, from sprays for ornamental plants that are toxic to birds and bees. Don’t assume these products are safe simply because they are for sale. Neonicotinoids—now the most widely used insecticides—are found in hundreds of products including insect sprays, seed treatments, soil drenches, tree injections, and veterinary
Did you know that ticks can live in backyards and neighborhoods? If you’re living near natural areas (such as open fields, parks, or urban hiking trails) it’s a good idea to learn how to avoid ticks at home. Ticks are found outdoors in brushy, wooded areas on plants, rocks, logs, and in leaves and twigs
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An invasive plant is a plant that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration, and whose introduction is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health” says Plant Right, a California non-profit working with California’s nursery industry to keep invasive plants out of our landscapes and to promote the sale of
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a science-based decision-making process that combines tools and strategies to identify and manage pests. It’s not one specific action or tactic; it is the combination of all actions that reduce the impact of pests while minimizing negative effects on the environment. In addition to its primary purpose of reducing numbers
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Rust is one of the most common fungal diseases of garden plants, there are thousands of different species that infect trees, shrubs, ferns, perennials, edibles and more, like pear, peach, and pine, rhododendrons, roses, chrysanthemums, fuchsias, geraniums, lilies, and snapdragons. Rusts have been a scourge to humans for centuries, impacting important food and fiber crops
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If you’ve got something messing up your lawn and you’re not sure what it is, look at how they dig. Skunks create holes about the size of their nose when they dig for earthworms, grubs, and other soil insects with their long, front claws. Raccoons enjoy diets that are almost identical to skunks but use
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Like any living creature, natural enemies need food, water, and shelter, all generally available in the garden. Here are some ways to attract them and keep them there:
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Spiders are generally considered to be beneficial; as predators, they keep insect pests in check. But many don’t want these 8-legged crawlers moving around inside the house. To prevent spiders from entering your house: To manage spiders that may have made it inside: While some research suggests citrus scents like orange oil may deter spiders,
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