Have you been startled by a flurry of little flying beasts bursting out of the container of flour or corn meal you planned to use? If so, you’ve met one of the nasty “pantry pests.” Meal moths and pantry beetles are unwanted visitors to your food and dry goods stash. They can crawl through cracks, […]
Nasty pests in the kitchen Read More »
For most of us, cockroaches are high in the yuk factor; even worse is seeing one running across the kitchen floor. These are pests of both indoor and outdoor environments that provide food, water, and shelter. During the day, roaches hide in dark, moist areas like cracks, water meter boxes, sewers, and crawl spaces. They
What’s that skittering across the kitchen floor? Read More »
Got problems with rats, mice, or gophers? Interested in environmentally friendly methods to help reduce these pests? It’s easy – support your local owls and encourage them to hang around! These birds of the night that you’re more likely to hear than see, can be a boost to an overall approach at controlling unwanted rodents.
Owls are great at rodent control Read More »
It can be frustrating to have big animal pests going through your yard and making a mess, or worse yet, harming your plants or pets. Whether it’s deer, raccoons, rabbits, coyotes, or other critters, excluding them from your outdoor space is your best option. These critters share our environment and while we may not want
Learning to live with wildlife Read More »
Enjoying your houseplants but noticing some small flies zipping around the soil? They may be fungus gnats. These dark, delicate-looking flies look similar to mosquitoes. They’re attracted to light, so you first might notice these pests flying near windows indoors. Check your plant pots. If the soil in the pots is overly moist, fungus gnat
Got gnats buzzing around your houseplants? Read More »
Ticks are sucking insects that can live all year round in our mild climate. If you’re planning to do some hiking around the holidays, learn how to protect yourself from having one hitch a ride on you. If you do get bitten, here’s how to properly remove the tick. These insects are not only a
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If you see this plant pop up somewhere in your garden, be careful! This robust invader is American pokeweed, also known as pokeberry, and poke salad. Native to the eastern U.S. it’s spreading in parts of California including Marin backyards. Left on its own, it can grow about 6 to 10 feet tall, produces long
Watch out for this poisonous weed Read More »
It’s National Spinach Month, and a good time to consider growing your own little crop of greens. This easy to grow plant is generally seeded directly into the ground, and not transplanted. Check out this video on planting and harvesting spinach. While the featured yard is in zone 5 versus our Marin zone 9, all
Snails and slugs can mow down your spinach Read More »
In our mild climate, fleas can be indoor and outdoor pests all year long. Find out if spot-on products are safe for your dogs and cats, and even your children. Keeping our furry friends free from itch-inducing fleas takes some planning and diligence. Learn more about Nontoxic Ways to Protect Your Pet.
Fleas got you or your pets down? Read More »
Some of the BEST pest controllers you can have in your yard are reptiles. Yes, those things that might slither past your feet on the patio are REALLY GOOD for the garden. Lizards, skinks, toads and snakes are all reptiles, animals that are cold-blooded, breathe with lungs, and have dry, scaly skin. One of the
Welcome reptiles to your yard Read More »
