Diseases & Pests
Tina asks, “My place has been overrun with silverfish. I’m desperate to get rid of them, but I don’t want to use toxic chemicals. Help!”
Silverfish don’t bite, but they can be destructive to your belongings. Some of the less toxic options are the most effective. Read on for other options.
This holiday season has proved full of surprises. From the leaking roof to two fender benders in one day to the exploding gingerbread (trust me – the oven will never be the same), life’s lesson plan this season seems stuck on “disaster” of the sort that’s only comical after bolting back a few cups of eggnog. It’s been a season of going with the flow, sometimes clinging to an upside-down canoe.
Karen asks, “This year I lost most of my tomatoes from the late blight epidemic. What do I need to do to prevent another outbreak?”
Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is like the “flu” of vegetable gardens. Follow these tips to prevent the spores in your garden.
Brown spots in lawns are frustrating to deal with! Just when you think you’ve done everything right, suddenly there’s a patch of grass that’s dead or dying. There are a number of causes of brown spots in lawns, from insects to disease to human error. Read on for a checklist to help you determine the cause in your yard.
Mosquitoes are not only annoying, they can also carry serious diseases such as the West Nile virus. While spray on repellents work, they can be messy to use, have an odor, and bring strong chemicals in direct contact with your skin. To keep mosquitoes from ruining your time outdoors, consider an area mosquito repellent like those from ThermaCELL
ThermaCELL mosquito repellent provides an odorless 15’ x 15’ mosquito-free zone around you wherever you go. The butane cartridge inside the unit vaporizes the insecticide on the repellent pad to provide protection in a matter of minutes. ThermaCELL mosquito appliances are available at The Home Depot.
If you live in an area with foraging deer, you’ve likely watched with dismay as some of your favorite plants disappear overnight. But before you give up on gardening altogether, try making your yard less appealing to deer by choosing plants that deer find less appealing. Read on to find out more.
Find out how household products from baby shampoo and corn syrup to sugar and soft drinks can be used to nurture plants and improve soil.
