Question: I’m thinking of introducing or bolstering a population of Tiphia vermalis to control Japanese Beetles in my yard. Do you have any recommended (ideally native) host plants for T. vermalis? Answer: Katherine Garland, Horticulturist Thank you for considering the use of biological control options for managing the Japanese beetle (Jb) population in your landscape. […]
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Question: I believe my garden is loaded with what looks like cucumber beetles. They are tiny flying beetles that are in the blossom end of the squash plant. They are killing the blossom and the squash itself. They are eating the leaf in a lace like pattern of tiny holes. They are in the cucumbers […]
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Question: There are little winged black insects on my tomato plants and white fuzzy stuff. I am hoping you can tell me what they are and what I can do. I have looked through your galleries and FAQ and may have missed them. Answer: Viña Lindley, Food Systems & Home Horticulture Professional Thank you for […]
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Question: This year the deer have been feasting off my perennials. What is recommended to keep them from doing this? I don’t want anything too smelly to keep people inside! Answer: Pamela Hargest, Horticulture Professional I encourage you to get in touch with USDA APHIS Program, who can help with your wildlife questions (damage control) […]
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Question: What is the black “gunk” on the stems of my Poppies that is rotting the stem and causing them to snap off below the blossom? This has never happened before. The plant had 33 pods and just prior to blossoming, this gunk started to appear and several of the stems rotted through prior to […]
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Question: We have both common and swamp milkweed in the backyard. This year we have noticed ants and aphids in the plants. We understand about their symbiotic relationship but wondered if they would damage the plant or the monarch caterpillars. If so, what is the best way to get ride of them? Answer: Pamela Hargest, […]
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Question: We have a Red Japanese maple tree that looks to be showing signs of disease. The bark is peeling and cracking and the crotch of the tree appears to have some rot. The leaves are not as full this year. There is no outward sign of insects that we can see. Last year, there […]
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Question: I planted a butterfly magnolia tree a couple years ago. Last year it had one flower at the beginning of the season. This year it doesn’t have anything and I noticed it has three splits in its trunk. I put fertilizer around it this year but just a day ago. It seems nothing grows […]
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Question: I’m interested to know about an infestation on our cherry trees. There are colonies of small insects living under the tree leaves which are curling in on themselves. These spots are of interest to ants for some reason. Is this a concern or a normal relationship between the tree, the little black insects and […]
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Question: I have noticed that many white pines in my neighborhood are turning brown. They are not near traffic (so not salt) and are very old white pines. What may be causing this? They are turning completely brown, not just dropping seasonal needles. Answer: Viña Lindley, Food Systems & Home Horticulture Professional Thank you for […]
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