Filtering by tag: integrated pest management ✕

Pest Alert - Root Aphids

Most gardeners have heard of aphids. These little soft-bodied insects, like their cousins whiteflies, mealybugs and scale, have a needle-like mouthpart that they use to suck the nutritious sap out of…

Pest Alert - House Fly Control

Houseflies can be a real annoyance when they get into the home. The occasional stray fly can be dealt with. However, when there seems to be an abundance of flies in the home, there is something going…

Cluster of hairy caterpillars resting in silk webbing on tree branches and leaves

Pest Alert - Common Insect Pests of Landscapes and Gardens

Common Insects Pests of Plants In western North Carolina, there are many species of insects. Most are beneficial to us and the environment and we should protect them. Other insects however, are pests…

Organic and Biorational Pest Control Options

Home owners and home gardeners often express interest in environmentally friendly gardening and landscaping. As an alternative to pesticides we recommend: Using native plants more often. Planting…

Slime Molds and Yeasts- Not a Pest

There are many unusual forms of life on this planet. Man has classified the different types of life into Kingdoms including the animals, the plants, the fungi and the protists. All of the kingdoms…

Weed Control in Fescue Lawns

Using Less Pesticides in LawnsPreventing weeds, insects and diseases is the key to using less pesticides in lawns. There are many things we can do to help our turfgrass resist pests. A healthy…

New 'Organic Lawn Care' Publication From NC State Released

According to a new NC State University Organic Lawn Care publication, "Lawns are more than attractive recreational spaces for homes and communities; they also serve many useful purposes. Lawns…

Pest Alert - Shothole Disease on Cherries

Each year we get questions about holes in the leaves of flowering cherries and cherry laurel. Concerned gardeners find the holes and wonder if an insect is eating their plants. The cause is shot hole…

Pest Alert - Protect Your Plants While Protecting Beneficial Insects

Thankfully most insects (97%) are either beneficial or benign as far as humans are concerned. Some of those 3% of harmful insects can be troublesome to gardeners. So for the most part, we need spend…

Irrigate newly planted trees, shrubs and turf

Plant Health Alert - Keep Plants Healthy and Reduce Pesticide Use

Who enjoys using pesticides? I think that most of us would like to limit our exposure to chemicals. We all would like to save money and avoid buying expensive pesticides.Many plant problems can be…