Care and How-To - Insects
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Hedge apples, from the Osage-orange tree, are yellow-green fruits popular for decoration. They are often touted as being an effective pest deterrent but in reality this myth doesn't hold up well.
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Whenever sprays are applied, it is important to follow label directions. Often the product label will direct to spray at certain developmental stages in the tree’s annual growth cycle. Many of the most effective management steps occur in spring, well before the apples form and ripen.
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Late-summer wasps and yellowjackets damage ripe fruit and annoy pickers. Harvest promptly, remove overripe fruit, use traps early, and destroy nests when needed.
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Several factors cause branch dieback on trees. Correctly diagnosing the problem(s) is the first step in managing an unhealthy tree. Below are some common causes of branch dieback on trees in the landscape. Use this guide to evaluate your tree and determine the likely cause of the branch dieback.
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Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable crop to grow in the home garden. Many diseases, disorders, and insect pests can affect tomatoes during the growing season.
Learn more about managing the common problems found with tomatoes in the home garden including blights, wilts, blossom end rot, viruses, fruit cracking, tomato hornworm, and more.
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Discover the importance of ants in ecosystems. Learn about their diversity, adaptability, and positive impacts on the environment. Gain a new perspective on these often misunderstood insects.
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Small ants are a common pest in the home kitchen or bathroom. Foraging ant workers may appear a few at a time over a broad area, or a large number may descend on food, refuse, pet food, or moisture available overnight. Of the dozen dif
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Hostas are typically easy to care for with few pest and disease problems - but that doesn't mean they don't have any. Learn about the common insect, wildlife and disease issue that face hostas.
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Peonies are easy-to-grow, long-lived, and reliable performers in the garden, but they occasionally have issues. The most common issues with peonies, such as failure to bloom, powdery mildew, and flopping over, are listed below.
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Most of the time, when we see ants, there is no need to worry; they are quite beneficial. However, if their mounds become a nuisance in the lawn or garden, then there are some steps you can take to manage the mounds (and keep the ants).
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Common bean pests, diseases, and stress can reduce yield; proper care and timely management keep plants healthy and productive.
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Discover how to care for succulents and prevent common issues like overwatering, insufficient light, and pests. Early detection ensures healthy growth!
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Roses have several disease and insect issues. When a problem comes up, identifying it accurately is the first step.
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Swarming occurs when a large group of honey bees leaves an established colony and flies off to establish a new colony in response to crowding within the colony. Swarming usually occurs in late spring and early summer and begins in the warmer hours of the day.
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Dealing with insects on houseplants can be challenging. Monitor houseplants frequently for pests. Deal with them early using multiple techniques. Isolate infested plants to prevent spread.
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After planting a new tree, sometimes you will see decline, dieback, or even death of the young tree. When trying to determine the primary cause of the problem, several factors need to be given consideration.
Learn about the factors that you need to investigate to determine why a newly planted tree is failing.
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Home gardeners face various problems growing potatoes, including green tubers, frost damage, scabs, cracks, and pests. Effective care and proper storage can ensure a healthy, productive harvest.
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Overall, lilacs are easy to care for and problem-free shrubs. Occasionally, problems arise like failure to bloom, flowers opening out of season, powdery mildew, and other disease or insect issues.
More information about common lilac problems and how to manage them is presented below.
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When tree health problems like dieback, leaf drop, bark splitting, and overall decline arise, it can be difficult to determine what is causing the issue. Use this information to evaluate and manage problems with your trees.
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Indoor orchids often encounter issues such as excessive light, fertilizer burn, pests, root rot, and viral infections. Learn how to prevent and treat them.