Articles
August Pest Alert
As you may have noticed, the field crickets are showing their faces a little earlier this year. Crickets are normally an outdoor insect, usually found under rocks, logs or any crack or crevice. However, they can sometimes enter our homes, mainly under doorways and windows... (read more)
Horizon Roses
Each year a book of commentary on new exhibition roses is published. It's called Horizon Roses and is available for $8 ($10 appreciated) from Johbny Premeaux 700 Westbury, Orange, Texas 77630. This year, I am looking at this publication with special interest because I am buying a house... (read more)
May Pest Alert
This year you many have noticed abundant numbers of yucca bugs, Haticotoma spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae), if you have yucca in your landscape. The adults are about ΒΌ inches in length with a red head and pronotum and grayish-black wings. (read more)
Attack of the Aphids!
Aphids are small, soft-bodied winged or wingless insects about 1/25 to 1/8 inches in length, with relatively long legs and antennae. Aphids can vary in color from black, green, yellow to even pink. Some aphids lay eggs, while others give birth to live young that can mature in as little as 7 to 8 days. (read more)
Using Oils to Manage Insects
The use of oils as part of a control program is becoming more favored instead of using synthetic pesticides. Oils can be distilled from petroleum such as horticultural oils, Volck oils, summer oils, dormant oils or mineral oils or oils can be extracted from plants and animals such as neem oil or fish oils. (Read more)
White Flies on House Plants
The silverleaf whitefly is the most economically important whitefly species in Texas, with a host range of more than 500 plant species, including poinsettias. (Read more)
Fungus Gnats Hovering
Fungus gnats are typically weak fliers, so they usually remain near the potted plant or rest on foliage or growing media. Adult fungus gnats are 1/8 to 1/10 inches in length, grayish black in color, slender bodied with long legs and antennae. (Read more)
Two Roses Added to EarthKind List
They have been around almost forever. They are hardy and deserve the EarthKind designation. To read about these two newest EarthKind roses, go to the Texas AgriLife web site. (Read more)
Entomologist To Help You
Kimberly Schofield is the entomologist who can help you with your bug problems. She is trained in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Her office in Dallas, near the George Bush Freeway on Coit Road. (Read more) (location)
Indoor and Outdoor Water Conservation Tips
Texas AgriLife's web site says, "Many water conservation methods can be accomplished by modifying just a few everyday habits and using inexpensive upgrades to fixtures in your home." (Read more)
Do Water Wands Work?
Do Water Wands Work? (read more)
Last update: Monday, July 26, 2010 6:26 PM