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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Finding clothes with tiny little holes, or silk-like webbing? Maybe you’ve got webbing clothes moths. They tend to hide when disturbed, so you might not notice them until they’ve damaged your fabric, fur, or feathered items. They’re especially drawn to fabrics with sweat, food, or urine stains. It’s the larval form of the insect that
Holes in your clothes? Read More »
Snails and slugs are the bane to most gardeners. Loosely related to octopi and oysters, they glide along on their muscular foot, secreting mucus to facilitate movement, leaving their trademark glistening trail behind. With similar biology, the snail carries an external shell while slugs have evolved without one. Both are most active at night or
It’s the Slimy time of Year Read More »
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 »
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 »
Fall is for planting! And no better time to add some native plants to your garden. Why natives? There are lots of reasons including conserving water, reducing chemical usage (no pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers are needed with natives) and encouraging wildlife. Want a colorful garden and don’t think you can do it with mostly natives?
Fall is for Planting Natives! Read More »
Ants on your leafy vegetables? Your fruit trees? Your house plants? They’re a prime indicator that sucking insects are feasting on your plants. There’s a group of soft-bodied insects – aphids, mealybugs, soft scale and whiteflies that feed by sucking juices from plants. Their damage can cause spotted, bleached, or curled foliage, and stunted growth.
It’s Likely More than Just Ants! 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 »
Got grasshoppers? During the last month there have been multiple reports of large populations of these pests covering people’s plants, especially in the Sacramento area. These sporadic garden pests can have population booms, usually every 8 to 10 years in California, sometimes lasting 1 to 3 years. The most destructive and widespread grasshopper species is
There’s a Whole Lot of Jumping Going on! Read More »
