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Pests
Exotic Ladybeetle Found In Southern California
Question from Lee: Ladybugs, once the championed protectors of backyard gardens, are showing spots of a less flattering color, and their public image looks like it could be taking an even bigger turn for the worse. A new study has found that invasive...
Getting Rid of Citrus Pests
Question from Jon: I have something here that I need some advice on. I have attached 3 photos of a branch on my Meyer Lemon tree. I have a steady stream of ants crawling on just 1 branch. When I inspected it much more closely, I could see something...
White Grubs
Question from Elin: How to get rid of organically besides digging out? Did last year, back again! Answer from Pat: White grubs are the larval form of various beetles and bugs, such as June Bugs, who lay their eggs in the ground. White grubs eat plant...
Organic Snail Control
Credits: Genevieve Schmidt & Ester the Chicken Question from Tressa: I love your month by month gardening book and have read it almost cover to cover. My problem is armies (literally of snails) I live in Claremont, Ca. (new Pomona not San...
Gray scaly bark on Crape Myrtle
Question from Jonnie: My crepe myrtle was purchased with a gray scaly bark = it looks like fungus. What organic spray can I use to rid the plant of this fungus. What kind of soil would you use to put in ground for the crepes? Answer from Pat: Without...
Snails
Question from Tressa: I don’t have a question just a note for you. I bought your organic gardening book last year and sent you a message asking for help with snails. I was so impressed that you take the time to answer emails. Anyway, we...
Animal Pests Chomping on Winter Vegetables
Question from Bonnie: I planted my winter vegetable garden, and something chomped my brussels sprouts and cauliflower seedlings. I think it is crows. Can crows be a problem for a vegetable garden? I don’t think it is rabbits. It could be a possum...
Thrips on Indoor Succulents
Question for Mary: I have a query regarding succulents. I bought two tiny cathedral plants about 30 years ago on Canal Street in New York. They grew into a huge gothic cathedral, so beautiful, 11–feet tall in my livingroom. Had to cut off the...
Leaf Eating Insect on my Geraniums
Question from Kathy: Something is having a picnic on my Geraniums! I never had any problems (ever) with insects doing this. I 1st thought it was the Brown Grasshopper, cause they would hang around on the leaves. Again, it was the 1st time I saw that...
Spiders
Question from Cynthia: Our yard seems to be over populated with spiders of all shapes and sizes including black widows. Webs cover the creeping fig on the walls and spring up over night on the play equipment. We have a two year old granddaughter. I...
Citris Threat: Asian Physillid
Question from Julie: I am new to your site and appreciated reading through your info. on the leaf miner and worm castings for ants. I am concerned about a new citris threat, asian physillid??? and a greening disease called “yellow dragon”....
Ground Squirrels Undermining Bank
Question from Maria: I have a few questions ~ What kind of plants do ground squerals hate and will avoid nesting near on this very steep, very high hill side in Oak View Calif. It is covered with these little darlings and their homes. I don’t want...
Clover Attracts Ladybugs
Question from Olivia: Ladybug Do you think Lady Bugs are attracted to clover? I am a landscape designer and landscaper. I have a client in Clairemont, California. I just finished her garden. She told me that her garden was overgrown and not taken...
