Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Susan asks, “I’m having a serious problem with ladybugs. Do you have any ideas for ridding my home of these beautiful but pesky insects?”

For many homeowners, the battle against ladybugs is a yearly chore without a satisfying solution. Prevention, along with regular removal, is the best strategy. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Comfort is key for outdoor activities so go prepared. Remember to drink fluids, wear sunscreen, and bring an area mosquito repellent. ThermaCELL mosquito repellents are 98% effective in fighting mosquitoes, black flies and no see-ums, and they create a 15′ x 15′ comfort zone from biting insects. Read in full.

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With West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis becoming more prevalent in the United States, consumers want and need to become more familiar with reading mosquito repellent labels. What is the active ingredient that makes one repellent more effective than another and when should a specific repellent be used? Read in full.

Danny and Allen discuss mosquitoes and how to repel them with 98% effectiveness. Watch this video.

Crop rotation is a simple process that is vitally important to the health and productivity of the garden. From disease prevention to nutrient balancing, the benefits of crop rotation make it worth the extra bit of planning required. Here’s an easy-to-remember crop rotation plan for any size garden. Read in full.

Barbara asks, “I have trouble growing tomatoes in the heat of the Deep South. Are there any varieties you recommend?”

Once temperatures get above 90° F during the day (or above 75° at night), tomato plants are very susceptible to blossom drop, resulting in a poor crop. Here are some ideas that might help. Read in full.

Brenda asks, “We have an enormous number of caterpillars in our yard this spring. Why is this and how do we control them?”

Not all caterpillars are the same, and not all are considered pests. Before you do anything about your caterpillars, you need to ask the following questions. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Brenda asks, “We have hundreds of earthworms on our driveway. Why does this happen, and how do we control them?”

Earthworms breathe through their skin and require a balanced level of moisture in order to survive. When there is adequate surface moisture, they venture out to look for new places to burrow. Read in full.

Bill asks,“My tomato leaves have white lines on them. What causes this, and what should I do about it?”

Those white squiggly lines are caused by leaf miners. Leaf miners are insect larvae which hatch from eggs deposited between the upper and lower surface of plant leaves. The hungry larvae munch their way around the leaf, leaving a telltale white trail or tunnel. Read in full.

Carrie asks, “Are there any soil additives or other recommendations to neutralize dog urine so that it doesn’t kill my grass?”

This is one of those topics that abounds with home remedies, old wives’ tales, and myriad commercial products, all with mixed results at best. Here are some facts and solutions that can help. Read in full.