Insects and Animals
Squirrel – Dumb Things They Chew On
I am no longer surprised at what squirrels find to chew on. From licking mortar to gnawing on a deck to eating a gas can, squirrels seem to find lots of thingd delicious. Why? My guess is stupidity in some...
Hummingbirds – Plants For Attracting
Few creatures in the landscape are as exciting as a hummingbird. The mysterious hum, the darting back and forth, the tiny size all make the bird a thrill to watch. If you want more hummingbirds in your landscape, plant some...
Head Lice – Control
Thank goodness my son is older than pre-school/elementary school age, when the most dreaded phone call was “Mr. Reeves, your son has head lice.” A neighbor recently went through the anguish of such a call. I thought I’d collect links...
Squirrels – How Do They Get in Attic?
A neighbor recently reported that he could hear squirrels in his attic. The noises were most pronounced at dusk and at dawn, so I know they were gray squirrels, not flying squirrels (which make noise in the middle of the...
Knock Out Rose – Decline
Knock Out rose has become a ubiquitous part of urban landscapes in the last decade. It blooms reliably and is resistant to black spot leaf disease. Usually it is trouble free. However, I have noticed several instances where the rose...
Kudzu Bugs Bothering You?
Those folks living near kudzu patches have known about the kudzu bug since 2009. This olive green/brown insect is about the size of a ladybug and imparts a distinct smell to the area where they congregate. It is well known...
Squirrel-proof Birdfeeders
Squirrels are the bane of bird feeders. I went though a half-dozen plastic and wooden feeders before I bought an Eliminator from Wild Birds Unlimited. It has a weighted, adjustable perch which allows lightweight birds to feed but slams a...
Snails – In the Classroom
When I worked for the UGA Extension folks several years ago, I was a member of the National Science Teachers Association. In an article, they suggested that kids could learn a lot by keeping large snails in the classroom. We...
Crayfish – In the Classroom
When I worked for the UGA Extension folks several years ago, I was a member of the National Science Teachers Association. Their magazine, Science and Children, contained many good ideas for teaching science to my 4-H Club members. I saved...
Box Turtle (Terrapin) – In the Classroom
When I worked for the UGA Extension folks several years ago, I was a member of the National Science Teachers Association. Their magazine, Science and Children, contained many good ideas for teaching science to my 4-H Club members. I saved...
Armadillo – Control With Electric Fence
Armadillos Outwitted!! by Harold Baker Some people think armadillos are stupid but they simply have extremely poor eyesight. If they are devastating your rose garden, as they were ours,you will find them to be a formidable adversary. Each night they...
What Happens When Celebrity Insects Die?
I consider myself reasonably imperturbable when it comes to Internet pictures…but this one made me...
Spring Cankerworm – Identification
Spring occasionally brings an influx of creatures you hadn’t noticed before. A warm winter can result in thousands of little green caterpillars raining down from oak trees on silk strands. Stnding under an infested tree is distasteful as tiny black...
Kudzu Bug – Control
First we had kudzu vine…now we have kudzu bugs! I guess it makes sense. This pest of kudzu plants in Asia somehow travelled to the US and now anyone living near a patch of kudzu often spots the insects on...
Deer Repellent – Using DMSO and Capsicum
Call all deer dislikers! Want to test a product for me? I recently became aware of a new product that claims to be very effective at repelling deer: Repellex Systemic Tablets. The technology is based on research from the University...
Ultrasonic Devices – Not for Bird Control
Ultrasonic Bird Control? Don’t Throw Your Money Away! Written By: Rob Fergus, Ph.D. Ornithology Sometimes hardware or lawn & garden companies advertise ultrasonic devices that are supposed to drive birds away with high frequency noises undetectable to humans. Sounds like...
Deer Resistant Vegetables and Herbs
Deer Resistant Vegetables and Herbs taken from NW Farms and Food If you want to minimize deer damage in an open garden, its best to start with plants that deer don’t like. Deer will “browse” on most anything when wild...
UGA Insect Publications
Following are useful publications from UGA concerning insects: 2011 Southeastern Peach, Nectarine and Plum Pest Management and Culture Guide A Parent’s Guide to the ‘Nitty-Gritty’ about Head Lice A School’s Guide to the ‘Nitty-Gritty’ about Head Lice Africanized Honey Bees...
