Pest & Disease Control

Snake mites are a common nuisance for reptile owners. These tiny parasites feed on your pet’s blood, causing discomfort, lethargy, and skin irritation. Getting rid of snake mites can be challenging, but introducing predatory mites is an effective biological control method. What are Predatory Mites? Predatory mites are beneficial insects that feast on snake mites, … Read more

Kirsten Brichler, Adjunct Faculty, Southwest Minnesota State University; and Douglas Pfeiffer, Marshall MN Professor of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA Most people who have grown strawberries or vegetables in the Southeast have had their experiences with slugs. These pests damage low-growing vegetable tissue and can be difficult to control. Here we will present some general … Read more

There are many ways to control aphids without using dangerous chemicals in your garden. Aphids have several natural enemies, including other insects, insect larvae, and birds; and they move rather slowly, making them easy to remove by hand or target with sprays. Aphids multiply quickly, so it may take a combination of methods as well … Read more

Cauliflower is a delicious and healthy vegetable that is a favorite for home gardens. However, this brassica is susceptible to several pests that can wreak havoc on the foliage. If you notice damage on your cauliflower leaves, chances are some type of bug is the culprit. Identifying and controlling these pests is key to growing … Read more

The quote above, as witty (and true) as it rings, is not, unfortunately, something that David Attenborough said. Most likely, this comes from a much earlier reference, Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle novel, specifically in this passage: Probably because David Attenborough narrated so many nature shows (including one called Empire Of The Ants), someone thought the … Read more

Have you recently noticed an increasing number of wasps swarming around your backyard without spotting their nest in the vicinity? It is not uncommon to see lots of wasps but no nest from late fall until the end of the winter months. This free movement of paper wasps may pose a threat to you. There … Read more

Brown spots on hydrangea leaves and flowers are rarely fatal to hydrangea plants. However, these unsightly blemishes can impact the look of your hydrangeas and they may signal that your plants are suffering from fungal disease, environmental stress, or another issue. If your hydrangeas are looking a bit spotty, here are a few tricks to … Read more

Rescue your Monstera from the dreaded black spots with our all-in-one guide to spotting, treating, and preventing them! ️‍♀️ ️ As a proud monstera parent, there’s nothing more disheartening than noticing those dreaded black spots appearing on your plant’s pristine leaves I know the feeling all too well. After spending months helping my gorgeous monstera … Read more

I’ve dealt with fungus gnats in my indoor and outdoor garden. While they didn’t do a lot of damage indoors, they decimated my outdoor sprouts during a particularly rainy spring season. They may not have the strength in numbers, but they damage plants quickly. Controlling fungus gnat populations is key. They go for potted plants … Read more

Black spot is a fungal disease (Diplocarpon rosae) that affects roses. The fungus develops black spots on the leaves, eventually causing them to turn yellow and drop off. Besides looking unsightly, black spot can seriously weaken the rose plant. Black spot thrives during cool, moist weather. Read on for information about black spot on roses, … Read more