On several occasions in the past, we have mentioned that pests can sometimes be effectively controlled biologically. Not surprisingly, Mother Nature has a system of checks and balances for insects just as she does for the larger ecosystem. Thus, it would be in our best interests to learn how to work with nature to control…
Category: Plant Pests
Everything You Need To Know About The Insect Scale
Recently we received a question from someone about what to do about a severe scale infestation on some magnolias in their yard. We thought that it might be helpful to share that information with you. There are a variety of different scale species and scale affects a variety of ornamental plants such as hollies, boxwoods,…
How To Help Plants Blackened By Sooty Mold
Help! Its unsightly. It looks like a horrible disease that is suddenly covering multiple plants in my garden. Its even starting to show up on my patio furniture. You have just described sooty mold. Thankfully it is a non-harmful condition that will resolve it self when the root cause is eliminated. So what is sooty…
Those Little Green Bugs Covering Your Plant Are Aphids
Aphids. If you have been gardening for any amount of time you have probably seen them. Fortunately, while unsightly, they are not as much of a concern to the health of your plants as many other pests. In most cases, they will not actually cause any damage to the health of your plants. Because of…
The Harlequin Bug: A Closer Look At This Beautiful Pest
Have you have ever grown any kind of Brassica crop? Did you encounter a gaudy black and orange bug that is shaped like a stink bug on your broccoli or cauliflower plants? If so, this was the Harlequin bug, and it is a major pest of Brassica crops in the southern United States. It is…
Help! Something Is Eating My Broccoli. Its Cabbage Worms
You planted out these beautiful broccoli plants, and seemingly almost overnight one day the plants are almost completely gone. The leaves have been stripped back to just the stems. What happened? What do you do? Your plants were likely eaten by cabbage worms. Now saying cabbage worms is a bit inaccurate. These caterpillars feed on…