If you’ve discovered narrow surface runways in your lawn, gnawed bark on young shrubs, or disappearing bulbs, voles may be the culprits. Often called “meadow mice,” voles are small rodents that feed on grasses, roots, bulbs, and the bark of young trees and shrubs. While they can be frustrating garden visitors, pesticides are rarely the […]
Are Voles Visiting your Yard? Read More »
In Marin, flies are often a nuisance during summer and fall, and some species enter our homes. Here are the most common: Filth-breeding flies like house flies and blow flies develop in compost, animal waste, dead animals, and garbage. These flies are commonly contaminated with bacteria, including those associated with food poisoning and can spread
Flies can be a Nuisance Read More »
If you’re looking for an alternative to synthetic herbicides, horticultural vinegar can be an effective option for controlling young weeds. Unlike household vinegar, which contains about 5% acetic acid, horticultural vinegar typically contains 20% or more. This higher concentration makes it much more effective at burning the leaves and stems of small, actively growing weeds.
Horticultural Vinegar: A Natural Tool for Weed Control Read More »
Home composting is one of the best things you can do for your garden—and the environment. By turning kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into rich, nutrient-filled compost, you reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, improve your soil naturally, and help plants thrive without relying as heavily on commercial fertilizers. It’s a win for
Compost Smarter: Keep the Good, Keep Out the Rats Read More »
It’s summertime, a busy time for travel. One thing you don’t want to experience on your trip is bedbugs – those small, wingless insects that feed on blood, causing itchy bites, and generally irritating their human hosts. While the EPA, CDC, and the USDA all consider bed bugs a public health pest, bed bugs are
Don’t bring Bedbugs Home with you! Read More »
Mulch is a popular addition to gardens, offering benefits like moisture retention, temperature regulation, and weed suppression. However, not all types of mulch are created equal, and some can pose risks to both your plants and the environment. It’s important to be aware of the potential hazards associated with certain mulches, particularly chemically treated wood,
Is your mulch safe? Read More »
During this time of year, many insects, including ants and termites, search for new places to establish colonies. When conditions are right—warmer temperatures, brighter sunlight, and light winds—winged insects leave their original nests. This mass flight is known as swarming, and the winged insects are called swarmers or alates. Although dramatic, swarming itself is short-lived
Is that an Ant or a Termite? Read More »
Boxelder bugs and stink bugs are occasional indoor pests, most often noticed in fall and winter when cooler weather drives them to seek shelter. While they can be annoying, neither insect reproduces indoors or causes structural damage, and both are best managed with prevention and gentle control rather than pesticides. Boxelder bugs are dark gray
Good, Bad, or Nuisance Bug? Read More »
First, you see them, then you don’t. The glossy new leaves on your dwarf fruit tree vanish overnight. The mahogany-colored foliage on your prize rose is suddenly shredded. Even the tough, leathery leaves of a California live oak show heavy chewing. A closer look reveals little more than ragged leaf edges and missing tissue. Chances
What’s eating your leaves? Read More »
Egrets and herons are best known for stalking fish and frogs along shorelines, but these elegant birds are also effective predators of gophers and other small rodents. In gardens, fields, orchards, and open landscapes, they can play a helpful role in naturally reducing rodent populations. Both egrets and herons belong to the family Ardeidae and
Surprising Predators of Rodents Read More »
