Managing Insect, Diseases, and Animal Pests

Should you use tea seed meal to eradicate Amynthas jumping worms?

Question: My lawn and raised bed garden have been infested with the Amynthas jumping worm that I first noticed in 2021. I’ve read that applications of tea seed meal will eradicate these worms. I realize that Tea Seed Meal will also kill the good worms are there any other downsides? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects […]

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Do ultrasonic deer repellants work?

Question: Do ultrasonic deer repellants work? We have a string of arborvitaes which the deer love to munch on in the wintertime. Is fencing the only other alternative? We have tried sprays and clip on deterrents but nothing like that works. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant The short answer, in my experience, is that […]

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What is causing the leaves to drop off my crabapple tree this summer?

Question: I have a flowering crabapple tree that has been losing its leaves all summer. I am wondering if it has a disease that I need to treat? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant I believe what you’re looking at on your flowering crabapple is a disease called apple scab. You can read more about […]

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What little green worm is eating my kale?

Question: My kale is getting eaten by a little green worm and there appears to be eggs on the plant as well. Do you know what this is and what I can do about it? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant There are several types of caterpillars that prey on brassica/cole crops like kale, with […]

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Should I remove the limb of a cactus that has a brown spot?

Question: I have a Blue Myrtle Cactus that is overall doing well. It is an indoor cactus. Over the past 3-4 weeks it has developed a brown spot at the end of one of its limbs where there had been some new growth. All the other limbs look great. I do not believe it has […]

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What can be done to save large diseased Hemlock trees from pests?

Question: I have some large diseased hemlocks that I’m hoping can be saved. It was suggested that I contact you regarding the possibility of using beetles to try to combat the pests. Can you please provide guidance?  Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant As you may have told, Hemlock woolly adelgid is a bit of a […]

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What has made holes in my blueberries?

Question: What has made holes in my blueberries? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant I believe you are dealing with blueberry maggots, the larval form of the blueberry fruit fly. The female adults lay their eggs just under the skin of the fruit and the emerging maggots tunnel through the blueberry, giving you the tiny […]

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What could be eating my basil seedlings?

Question: I just planted basil seedlings in pots and something is eating them.  What could be the culprit and what can I do to prevent it? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant Without knowing more about the damage or seeing photos, it’s tough to diagnose accurately. But I will point you to this excellent Clemson Univ […]

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What could be killing the dogwoods on my property?

Question: I have several wild alternate-leaf dogwoods on my property that have died previously. They are all located in a similar section of the property. There are two others nearby that are alive but look terrible, with leaves only at the top of the plant. I have not seen a bug or insect on the […]

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