In recent years, gardeners have become increasingly frustrated by the emergence of superbugs – pests that have developed a natural resistance to pesticides. Insects are among the most adaptable, rendering many chemical insecticides useless. Additionally, chemical solutions tend to harm beneficial critters and sometimes even the plants they’re used on. Thankfully, natural remedies remain effective, … Read more
Neem oil is generally considered one of the safest, most useful natural insecticides on the market. In its purest form, it is literally the oils extracted from cold-pressing various parts of Azadirachta indica, especially the seeds. Pure Neem oil contains several active compounds, the most important of which is Azadirachtin. Azadirachtin interferes with an insect’s … Read more
The flowers on Hibiscus trees are gorgeous, short-lived, and tasty when made into an herbal tea. But if you begin to notice growing populations of winged bugs on the undersides of leaves and around your plants, you may be dealing with white flies on hibiscus. White flies on hibiscus can feed on your leaves and … Read more
Hibiscus is a common plant with almost 300 different varieties. The Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis is the most common variety found in garden centers and nurseries. Its beautiful flowers can add a tropical, exotic flair to the garden or home. The flowers send us on a trip to Hawaii with hula dancers with a hibiscus in their … Read more
Caterpillars can quickly decimate a vegetable crop. Controlling caterpillars takes a combination of prevention, avoidance, monitoring and suppression. It is the only way to successfully battle caterpillars. Natural Ways to Control Caterpillars Many people reach for chemicals to get rid of caterpillars. But there are some natural steps to add to your caterpillar control system. … Read more
If you have a wasp problem, you are no doubt asking, “How to get rid of wasps?” and what to do about it. Chemical wasp control is certainly less than desirable due to the negative impact it can have on the environment, your pets, children, and you. In this article, we will share some interesting … Read more
The United States considers Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (aka Halyomorpha halys or BMSB) as invasive pests. These insects come from Asia, but it somehow turned up in North America, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 2001. Many thought the brown marmorated stink bug made its way to this country by stowing away in shipping crates. Highly adaptable … Read more
Nothing can persistently damage your plants other than spider mites. These small arachnids live on the underside of leaves. Moreover, exterminating them may seem like a daunting task but not impossible to do. About Spider Mites and How to Spot Them Spider mites belong to the arachnids category, wherein spiders also fall. They appear very … Read more
There are more than 6,000 thrips species sucking the life from plants all over the world. Get rid of them naturally without resorting to toxic sprays by using these SAFE, organic methods. Identification: Most adult thrips are elongate, slender, minute (less than 1/20 inch long), and have long fringes on the margins of both pairs … Read more
When controlling any plant pest you need to know the type of insect to give the right control. Knowing the difference between nocturnal (night feeding) and diurnal (day feeding) insects will help you solve many problems. Night Feeders For example. when a plant’s leaves get more ragged every day, but you can’t see anything on … Read more