The holes were likely created by sapsuckers. Sapsuckers, members of the woodpecker family, damage trees by drilling holes in the trunk or large branches. Sapsucker damage is very distinctive. They drill uniform, 1/4 inch holes…
The best way to prevent birds from eating the grape crop is to place netting over the grapevines. Netting can be purchased at garden centers or through mail-order companies. When placing netting over the grapevines, make sure the…
The most effective way to prevent damage to the sweet corn crop is to encircle the area with an electric fence. A two-wire fence with one wire 4 to 6 inches above the ground and the other at 12 inches should keep the raccoons out of the…
Trapping is the best way to get rid of moles. Trapping isn't easy, but it does work. Patience and persistence are required. Traps can usually be found in hardware stores and garden centers. When using traps, carefully…
The small, white “worms” are probably the larvae of the cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis spp.). Cherry fruit flies lay eggs on developing cherry fruit in May. Damaged fruit appear shrunken and shriveled when ripe, and usually…
Deciduous trees that have been girdled (the bark has been removed completely around the trunk) have essentially been destroyed. The best course of action is to replace the girdled trees. Wrapping the trunk or applying pruning paint to…
Purple, black, and summer-bearing red raspberries that have been badly damaged by rabbits will likely produce little fruit this year. (Purple, black, and summer-bearing red raspberries produce fruit on the previous year's shoots. …
The caterpillars are likely eastern tent caterpillars. Eastern tent caterpillars emerge in late April and early May from eggs that were laid on small twigs last summer by female moths. The caterpillars feed on the buds and foliage of…
The large, green caterpillars are probably tomato hornworms. Tomato hornworms are bright green, up to 4 to 5 inches long, and have red or black, horn-like projections on their rear ends. After feeding, hornworms move to the soil where…
The runways in the lawn were likely caused by the meadow vole. The meadow vole is a small, brown, mouse-like animal. Though common in Iowa, the meadow vole is secretive and seldom seen by most individuals.
One of our biggest frustrations with moles is the perennial misinformation that an insecticide application to kill grubs will solve the mole problem. This is the “lie that will not die.” Forty years ago, it might have been true that…
