Explaining IPM and how Beneficial Insects fit into the equation by Brad the Bugman. IPM or integrated pest management is a unique process where several methods of pest control are combined to maintain a healthy balance of bad bugs and good bugs. It was started after WW II, gathered from studies in ecology between pests and their natural enemies. Sometime … Read More
Bug hotels, where the good bugs can check in
Bug hotels, where the good bugs can check in so that the bad bugs stay checked out. More and more gardeners are realizing the worth of beneficial insects and are starting to create ways to keep them around. Most of us have heard about pollinator gardens, a place for butterflies and bees to forage. But what about the creepy crawlies, … Read More
Facts about flies and Beneficial Insects
Facts about the common fly and how beneficial insects can keep those pesky, annoying, biting buggers under control. Musca Domestica is the technical name of a fly and the most common insect we encounter. During the warm months, they invade our homes, picnic areas, backyards and barns. They are elusive, annoying and far too difficult to eradicate completely. They are … Read More
March is the Time to Start Working your Garden
March is the time to start working and planning your summer garden and yard. Gardeners know March can be a very busy month with all there is to do outside. Don’t get overwhelmed. Here are some helpful tips to get you organized and started. This is the best month to cut back ornamental grasses for re-growth. Lop the grasses back … Read More
The Story of the Spider Mite and the Persimilis
The Story of the Spider Mite and the Persimilis told from a gardener’s point of view. Most people are familiar with Mary Howitt poem The Spider and the Fly. For years, parents and teachers have used it to teach children to be aware of flattery and idle silly words because if they didn’t they could end up like the fly. … Read More
The Mighty Thrips and How to Control these Pests
The mighty Thrips and how to control these pests from destroying your plants and gardens. Thrips are tiny insects that may or may not have wings. There are more than 6,000 species of these horrid bugs. They can vary in size from 0.5 to 5 mm in length and are known to proliferate quickly and swarm heavily in greenhouses and … Read More
The Iridescent Green Lacewing
The Iridescent Green Lacewing and the benefits to your garden. Green lacewings are one of several insect predators. They are ½ to ¾ of an inch long with delicate-looking wings that give them their name. These insects have golden colored eyes and long antennae. There are many different varieties of green lacewings, though they closely resemble one another. Their eggs … Read More
Ode to a Ladybird Beetle by March Biological
Ode to a Ladybird Beetle by March Biological and why these circular red flying beetles are the best. Hippodamia convergens or as they are more commonly known – the Lady Bug, is not a bug at all. They are beetles, and their correct name is The Ladybird Beetle. There are about 400 different types of Lady Bugs in the Coccinellidae … Read More
Insect Experts are Already Predicting a Heavy Invasion
Insect experts are already predicting a heavy invasion of flies and mosquitoes for this summer. According to the 2016 – 2017 Farmer’s Almanac it is going to be a very wet winter for the Southern half of the States. A warmer and wetter spring may bring the onslaught of flies and mosquitoes. For most people that doesn’t mean a whole … Read More
Nematodes in my Garden?
Nematodes in my garden – is that good or bad? There are different types of nematodes. Some are harmful, spreading serious diseases in humans and/or destroying crops and plants. Fortunately, most types of nematodes have no adverse effect on humans. In fact, they can be highly beneficial. They live in soil, fresh and salt water, feeding on bacteria, protozoans, fungi … Read More