The rains of winter are still in progress, and along with it is the veritable carpet of green that now surrounds us. Plants may be growing, especially the ones you don’t want – the weeds in your garden. You know the saying – a weed is simply any plant in a place you don’t want …
January 10 is Save the Eagles Day. The bald eagle is a classic icon of the United States, standing for strength, courage, and freedom. Chosen in 1782 as a symbol for our national emblem, today the bald eagle is depicted on a variety of official U.S. items, including passports, quarters, and the one-dollar bill. These …
Have you been startled by a flurry of little flying beasts bursting out of the container of flour or corn meal you planned to use? If so, you’ve met one of the nasty “pantry pests.” Meal moths and pantry beetles are unwanted visitors to your food and dry goods stash. They can crawl through cracks, …
For most of us, cockroaches are high in the yuk factor; even worse is seeing one running across the kitchen floor. These are pests of both indoor and outdoor environments that provide food, water, and shelter. During the day, roaches hide in dark, moist areas like cracks, water meter boxes, sewers, and crawl spaces. They …
What’s that skittering across the kitchen floor? Read More »
Got problems with rats, mice, or gophers? Interested in environmentally friendly methods to help reduce these pests? It’s easy – support your local owls and encourage them to hang around! These birds of the night that you’re more likely to hear than see, can be a boost to an overall approach at controlling unwanted rodents. …
It can be frustrating to have big animal pests going through your yard and making a mess, or worse yet, harming your plants or pets. Whether it’s deer, raccoons, rabbits, coyotes, or other critters, excluding them from your outdoor space is your best option. These critters share our environment and while we may not want …
Enjoying your houseplants but noticing some small flies zipping around the soil? They may be fungus gnats. These dark, delicate-looking flies look similar to mosquitoes. They’re attracted to light, so you first might notice these pests flying near windows indoors. Check your plant pots. If the soil in the pots is overly moist, fungus gnat …
If you see this plant pop up somewhere in your garden, be careful! This robust invader is American pokeweed, also known as pokeberry, and poke salad. Native to the eastern U.S. it’s spreading in parts of California including Marin backyards. Left on its own, it can grow about 6 to 10 feet tall, produces long …
Some of the BEST pest controllers you can have in your yard are reptiles. Yes, those things that might slither past your feet on the patio are REALLY GOOD for the garden. Lizards, skinks, toads and snakes are all reptiles, animals that are cold-blooded, breathe with lungs, and have dry, scaly skin. One of the …
Fall is a busy time for tree squirrels as they comb their environment for food to store for the winter. While they can be fun to watch, they can also be a real nuisance for bird feeders and the garden in general. They feed on a variety of fruits, nuts, and other crops and plants, …
