Managing Insect, Diseases, and Animal Pests

Is there a way to safely compost without attracting bears?

Question: Is there any way to safely compost without attracting bears? I live in an area known to have bear traffic and am looking for advice on ways to compost without drawing their attention. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional I don’t have any direct experience with the problem (our bears went after the […]

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How do I kill off artillery fungus?

Question: How do I kill off artillery fungus? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional The solution to artillery fungus (Sphaerobolus spp.) is to remove the source of the ongoing infection–typically, mulch, compost, old wood shingle siding, any kind of decaying organic material. I would prune out heavily affected plant material (removing the deposits usually do more damage […]

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How do you dispose of trees that have an Emerald Ash Borer infestation?

Question: We have five Green Ash trees planted in 2018 that are now completely dead and the trunks are full of exit holes. I have never seen an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on the plants. They are scheduled for removal and replacement with apple trees. Considering the concern around EAB, are there removal and disposal […]

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How do I get rid of jumping worms?

Question: I have discovered jumping worms in my raised vegetable beds. I traced the source back to my compost pile (the finished compost). I assume they are due to potted annual plants I purchased and then composted at the end of last season. I have a couple questions: 1. Various university websites suggests letting the […]

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How do we deal with a critter digging up bushes that were just planted?

Question: We recently had a magnolia and lilac bush planted by a landscaper and there seems to be some critter that is coming and digging up these newly planted bushes. How do we deal with this situation? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Unfortunately, it’s often difficult to identify what’s working at those roots, […]

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Can you help identify the problem with the lilacs on my property?

Question: Two lilac trees on my property have some disease or pesticide infestation. Can you help me identify the problem and offer a solution?  Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Lilacs commonly suffer foliage fungal infestations, especially in hot, wet summers, and it definitely looks as though that’s what’s going on here. Typically, they […]

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Are my older high bush blueberry plants at the end of their productive years?

Question: I have 24 high bush blueberry bushes purchased about 20 yrs. ago (from a reputable garden store). This is the first year their production is considerably lower than in all past years. Should I be concerned that these plants are near the end of their productive years? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional […]

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