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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Rollie pollie’s – are these good or bad? Known more commonly as pill bugs, these non-insects are terrestrial crustaceans. Sometimes called a roly-poly due to its ability to roll into ball when disturbed, they are part of Nature’s recycling team. They are nocturnal and generally hide under boards, rocks, flowerpots, piles of grass clippings, flower-bed
What are Pill bugs? Read More »
More than a century of your data powers Audubon’s science. The nation’s longest-running community science bird project fuels their work throughout the year. The Christmas Bird Count occurs December 14 to January 5 every season. A group of 27 conservationists initiated the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) as a way of promoting conservation by counting, rather
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Do you cringe when you happen upon an eight-legged creature scurrying across your front porch? If it’s a spider, you’re in good company. Fear of spiders, known as arachnophobia, is one of the most common phobias around. It may come from concern about being bitten by a deadly type or simply the idea of the
Spiders are Really Good Guys Read More »
Sitting out on your patio, you see a rather large bee that looks like it’s headed for the underside of your roof. What’s up with that? It may be a carpenter bee. These large and robust insects resemble bumblebees. Females range from about 5/8 to 1 inch long and are shiny black or with metallic
Who’s that Buzzing around my Beams? Read More »
October is Bat Appreciation Month. So, why would a whole month be devoted to these odd-looking creatures? It has nothing to do with Halloween or vampires. It’s more about getting to know these mysterious flying superheroes that help our environment, and aren’t as scary as you might think. Often having the undeserved reputation of nighttime
Flying Pest Control Read More »
September is National Mushroom Month. Time to celebrate this extraordinary class of organisms. They are so much more than the things you put on salads or see springing up in your lawn. Mushrooms are the reproductive part of fungi that we can often see. Sadly, fungi don’t get the respect they deserve, since most of
Want to kick the chemicals? One BIG way to reduce the use of insecticides through biological control. Simply put, it’s a pest management strategy that enhances the role of natural enemies, reduces reliance on pesticides, and helps to protect the environment, people, pets, and wildlife. One of the key steps is to encourage natural enemies,
Becoming Beneficials Read More »
National Pollinator Week this year is June 17 – 23. It’s an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health, to celebrate pollinators, and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Pollinator Week was initiated and is managed by Pollinator Partnership, and fourteen years ago the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval
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