Pests Archives - Page 3 of 5

Aphid Control – Do Yellow Sticky Traps Work?

Aphid control is a real concern of gardeners and several options have been proposed including yellow sticky traps. These can be yellow cards or yellow drinking cups, both coated in some sticky material.

The concept is simple. Aphids are attracted to the color yellow and head for the trap. once they get they become stuck and die. Problem solved.

You can buy these commercially, or make your own following many DIY online recipes. But do they work? Will they solve an aphid problem in the garden? Lets find out.

Aphid Control - Do Yellow Sticky Traps Work?, photo source: The Fervent Gardener — Aphid Control – Do Yellow Sticky Traps Work?, photo source: The Fervent Gardener

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Gypsy Moth Caterpillar – Proper Identification and Control

The gypsy moth caterpillar has a major outbreak every 7 to 10 years and early signs are that this is going to be a bad year for them. Many of the control methods need to be started when the caterpillar is still small and before they do much damage to trees. If you wait longer, it will be much harder to control them.

There is a lot of talk about the gypsy moths on the internet, but many people confuse it with other look-a-like caterpillars. It is import to ID them correctly, because different caterpillars require different control methods. If you don’t know which one you have, you might be wasting your time.

The internet is also full of DIY solutions that just don’t work. In this post, I’ll help you ID your caterpillars and show you how to control the gypsy moth.

Gypsy Moth Caterpillar - Proper Identification and Control — Gypsy Moth Caterpillar – Proper Identification and Control, photo credit Toronto Sun

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Should You Buy Ladybugs for the Garden

Ladybugs, which are also called ladybirds and lady beetles are good predators for things like aphids and many people recommend buying them as a natural method of pest control in the garden.

Does this work? Should you buy ladybugs for the garden?

Should You Buy Ladybugs for the Garden, photo source Sam Prestigiacomo

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Mosquito Repelling Devices – Do They Work?

“Virtually every year, a new product appears on the market that claims to be the answer for the elimination of mosquito nuisance. In nearly every case, the promotion is accompanied by a great deal of advertising, but the merits of the product are rarely backed with scientific testing. The American public has invested billions of dollars in zappers, repellers, and plants that claim they will keep mosquitoes from biting. ”

This quote is from Dr. Wayne J. Crans, Professor of Entomology, Rudgers .

In this post I will review a number of products for keeping mosquitoes away and determine if they work. Unless specified differently, the following quotes are taken from Dr. Crans’ report.

Mosquito Repelling Devices - Do They Work? — Mosquito Repelling Devices – Do They Work?

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Mosquito Apps for Your Smart Phone – Do They Keep Mosquitoes Away?

There are mosquito apps for your smart phone that are designed to keep mosquitoes away. You can even view a Youtube video that does the same thing. In both cases, a high frequency sound is emitted that scares skeeters away.

This sounds like great technology since most people now have a smart phone. When you go outside, all you have to do is turn on the app and enjoy a mosquito-free environment. No more bites and you don’t need to lather on chemicals.

This is a case of where a little science has been used to create a new gardening myth and make some money.

Mosquito Apps for Your Smart Phone - Do They Keep Mosquitoes Away? — Mosquito Apps for Your Smart Phone – Do They Keep Mosquitoes Away?, image by Stoppestinfo

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Do Plants Attract Dragonflies to Your Garden?

There seems to be a big surge in interest for attracting dragonflies to gardens and many online sources are suggesting the best plants for the job. Titles include, 12 Best Plants to Attract Dragonflies and Best Plants to Create a Dragonfly Garden. The lists include things like rudbeckia, milkweed, yarrow and sage.

But do plants really attract dragonflies? And if they do, which plants work best?

Do Plants Attract Dragonflies to Your Garden?, photo by André Karwath

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How To Get Rid of Slugs and Snails in the Garden

How to get rid of slugs and snails in the garden, is one of the most asked questions, especially by people gardening in wetter climates. They can cause huge amounts of damage as they eat up your plants.

Check the internet and you will find plenty of home remedies and DIY projects for getting rid of slugs and snails. The problem is that most of them either don’t work or have a limited effect on slugs. What does work?

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Controlling Slugs with Ammonia – Which Methods Work?

Household ammonia is reported to be great for controlling slugs. Some people spray the slugs directly and apparently it kills them. Others spray plants so slugs stop eating them. Spraying soil is also a common method of controlling slugs and snails.

Do these methods work?

Ammonia is a strong cleaning agent and it surprises me that spraying it on plants will not harm them, but maybe the dilution used is low enough to prevent damage. If that is true, what is the ‘safe’ dilution ratio?

Controlling Slugs with Ammonia - Which Methods Work? — Controlling Slugs with Ammonia – Which Methods Work?

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Praying Mantis Egg Case – Should You Buy Them?

Praying mantis egg cases are now being sold in many locations. The eggs are easy to hatch allowing you to add this natural pest control system to your garden.

Are these native praying mantis? Do they stay in your garden? Are they a good option for controlling pests in your garden? Before buying a praying mantis egg case read this post and get the facts.

Praying mantis egg case, Should you buy them?

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Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar – Is It Poisonous?

I was reading one of the Facebook groups and found a picture of the Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar; also known as the black and white tussock moth caterpillar. Someone posted that it is very poisonous and it should not be touched? I started to wonder – how poisonous is it?

It is common for such warnings to be aggregated. I think back to the Hogweed and pictures of people in hazmat suites trying to clear it. I grew one, touched it, and no reaction at all. How dangerous is the Hickory Tussock? Will you die if you touch it? Will you get a serious rash and blistering? If there is a reaction, how common is it?

In my search for an answer, I found a lot of confusing information and realized that many people, including myself, don’t really understand the difference between a poison, a venom and an allergy. Lets have a closer look and understand how dangerous this cutie really is.

Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar - Is it Poisonous? — Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar – Is it Poisonous?

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Asian Lady Beetle Attacks Dogs – The True Story

By now most of you are familiar with the Asian lady beetle. They look as cute as our native ladybugs, but they bite. They invade our homes in fall and crawl all over our windows in spring. But worst of all, the Asian lady beetle attacks dogs and can kill them. Or at least that is what is reported in social media and some newspapers.

Some people are quick to point out that this is a complete myth. The posted pictures, like the one below, are photoshopped. Fake-news sites use them to create fear in the minds of dog owners.

What is the truth? Gardenmyths.com has looked into the matter and will reveal all.

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Slug Bait – Metaldehyde vs Iron Phosphate

How do you get rid of slugs? I’ve looked at several home remedies, and although some work a bit, most don’t work at all. The most effective way to get rid of slugs is to use a chemical slug bait. Slug baits contain both food for the slug and a poison that kills them.

There are two main classes of baits: Metaldehyde and Iron Phosphate. There is a lot of controversy about which should be used. Which is safer for the environment? Which is more effective? The short answers given by many websites do not tell the whole story.

Slug Bait - Metaldehyde vs Iron Phosphate — Slug Bait – Metaldehyde vs Iron Phosphate

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