Tag Archive | pests
Be Aware – The 17 Year Cicadas Are Coming
This year, 2021, a natural phenomenon will occur that you can either marvel at or be scared of. It’s the return of the 17-year cicadas. This insect is commonly known as the 17- year locust but they aren’t even related to the locust. It’s thought that they received that misnomer because they were associated with […]
Dormant Oil Kills Many Pests As They Sleep
Petroleum jelly is good for treating burns and other human injuries. It’s also good for treating trees and shrubs for insect pests while they sleep. In the case of trees and shrubs, I’m referring to dormant oil spray. Dormant oil spray is particularly effective against aphids, mites and scale. This material is highly refined oil […]
Time For Emerald Ash Borer Treatment
Spring is the best time to protect your valuable, majestic ash trees from the insidious emerald ash borer (EAB). It’s this invasive pest that’s to blame for all the dead and dying ash trees that we see around town. If you have an ash tree, it’s a sure bet that it will become a target […]
Firewood Precautions
As you begin planning for winter’s cold and the cozy fires you’ll enjoy in your wood stove, fireplace or even your fire pit, I want to remind you of the restrictions on the movement of firewood and the consequences of ignoring those restrictions. The federal government and many states have quarantines in place to restrict […]
Ticks & Mosquitoes Expected To Be Out In Force
Entomologists predict that we’ll have a bumper crop of dangerous insects this summer. They are referring specifically to ticks and mosquitoes. Both of these insects carry diseases that are dangerous to people. Lyme disease is carried by deer ticks. While they are called deer ticks, they actually are carried by a number of animals, especially […]
Spring Brings Out The Emerald Ash Borer
Soon, tiny green insects may begin flying around your ash tree(s). That could mean the beginning of the end for the tree(s). Or their decline may already have begun. These tiny insects are the dreaded emerald ash borers (EAB) in their adult stage. It’s flight is a mating flight to begin the next generation of […]
Dormant Oil – Insects’ Worst Nightmare
It may be the middle of winter but that doesn’t mean your trees and shrubs are free from insects. You may not see them at this time because both the insects and the plant are dormant. Come spring, though, the insects will be active again, feasting on the leaves of your trees and shrubs. And, […]
What Insects Will We Be Fighting This Season?
Plant Health Care (PHC) professionals are our industry’s doctors. It’s their job to examine plants, diagnose any insect or disease problems and treat the plant in the most environmentally friendly way. This is a pretty tall order, and I thank them for taking on this task. Like doctors who treat humans, PHC professionals have to […]
Stock Up On Firewood, Not Insects
You’d be surprised at what’s lurking in your firewood. It won’t be a pleasant surprise, however, if these hitchhikers turn out to be one of the increasing number of invasive pests that have been assaulting our trees. Most of these insects “sneak” into the country by hiding in the packing material of shipments from foreign […]
Now Is A Great Time To Protect Your Ash Trees
Last week I explained how the emerald ash borer (EAB) made its way to our area and how you can keep more from arriving. Today, I’m going to tell you how to protect your own trees from attack and how to treat them if they’re already hosting this insidious pest. We can apply a preventive […]