Posts Tagged ‘insects’
Gasoline- Weed Control
Q: My neighbor told me he uses gasoline to control weeds. He says it works better and is cheaper than Roundup. What are your thoughts? A: Gasoline also removes dirt better than soap, but I’ll bet your neighbor doesn’t bathe...
Cucumbers – Pollination
Q: My father is having trouble with his cucumbers. The plants are healthy and produce prolific blooms. However, the cucumbers are extremely tiny and they never grow larger. A: I think it’s a pollination problem. Bees must visit a flower...
Gray Rat Snake – Identification
Q: Found this snake in the house. I don’t like them in the garden, but never in the house. What kind of snake is it? What can we do to keep these out? A: According to Jim Rogers at Nearly...
Chives- Insect Control
Q: My chives are covered with small, dark gray insects. My husband thinks they are aphids. How can I control insects on edible plants? A: Any herb gardener who grows chives knows to look out for the dark invaders known...
Vegetable Planting- Termites
Q: Is it safe to plant vegetables near termite baiting systems? A: Termite expert Dan Suiter says the insecticide contained in a baiting system is held within the stations. It does not leave unless a termite eats it and carries...
Silver Queen Corn- Worms
Q: Is there anything that will keep worms out of our ‘Silver Queen’ corn? Almost all of our corn this year was infested. A: Corn earworm is also known as tomato fruitworm and cotton bollworm. The life cycle starts when...
Tree Trunk- Painting
Q: Why do some people paint the trunks of trees white? A neighbor recently did this to three large trees in their front yard. I have seen this in the countryside and guessed it was to reflect light, so cars...
Flowering Plants- Peppermint Spray
Q: Recently I read an article about using peppermint spray for bugs on flowering plants. Have you ever heard of this? A: Indeed there are several plant oils being sold as insecticides. Clove oil, peppermint oil, lemon oil and corn...
Crepemyrtles- Bugs
Q: My mother has crepe myrtles on which flying bugs have taken over. She says they are slowly dying and the leaves are oily looking. They also get on the hood of her car and turn it oily. A: Undoubtedly...
Insecticides- Plant base
Q: Are there any systemic fungicides that could be used like a systemic insecticide by pouring around the base of a plant? A: There are indeed systemic fungicides but their use is not as simple as with systemic insecticides. Since...
Woodpecker – Prevention
Q: A small woodpecker-type bird is pecking large holes in the synthetic stucco facade of our chimney. What can we do to prevent this? A: Woodpecker “drumming” is common at this time of year. They seem to be making noise...
Adelgids – Insecticide
Q: We own a home in north Georgia and have hemlocks located twenty feet from a small creek. The trees are infested with wooly adelgids. Last year we sprayed them but could not get to the tree tops. We also...
Boric Acid – Gardenias
Q: My husband put several tablespoonfuls of boric acid on my crown of thorns and a gardenia, trying to kill ants. Now these two houseplants are suffering greatly. Is there anything I can do to rescue them? A: Boron is...
Woodpecker – Prevention
Q: A small woodpecker-type bird is pecking large holes in the synthetic stucco facade of our chimney. What can we do to prevent this? A: Woodpecker “drumming” is common at this time of year. They seem to be making noise...
Burford Hollies – Infestation
Q: Our dwarf Burford hollies had tons of berries, which the birds dutifully picked off. Now the bush is buzzing. There are hundreds of bees living in it. How long will they be here? A: All of our nectar loving...
Boric Acid – Rescue
Q: My husband put several tablespoonfuls of boric acid on my crown of thorns and a gardenia, trying to kill ants. Now these two houseplants are suffering greatly. Is there anything I can do to rescue them? A: Boron is...
Fleas – Control
Q: I went into the dirt-floored utility room under my house and came out covered with fleas. I don’t have a dog or cat, so how did they get there and how can I control them? A: Dogs and cats...
Fruit trees – Production
Q: Can you provide any recommendations as to what fruit trees produce well in this part of Georgia? A: Even though Georgia is known as “The Peach State”, peaches are not very easy to grow here. Plums are not much...
