What’s that Webbing on My Tree Trunk?
There are numerous insects and insect relatives that can produce webbing, and webbing can be a sign that something unwanted is near. Arachnophobes might grow uneasy at the sight of a spiderweb, and gardeners might frown to see the tiny filaments that spider mites...
Plan on Doing a Fall Garden, Plan Now!
Yay, we are halfway through with August and our summer is winding down! This is the perfect time to start prepping for that fall garden. Growing a productive fall vegetable garden requires thoughtful planning and good cultural practices. This...
Yellow Jacket Wasp – Aggression and Understanding
It is late summer and many of us enjoy being outdoors in the landscape and taking early morning walks before the temperature rises for the day. There are precautions to take while being outdoors and the activities as many insects are very active, including the...
Math for the Home Gardener
Math isn't always fun! Here is Euclid explaining math in Raphael's The School of Athens. Credit: Creative Commons. There are a lot of things gardeners need to know to cultivate a beautiful landscape. Between plant zones, scientific names, soil chemistry, and pest...
Summer Tasks
Summer should be the time to relax and enjoy the fruit of all the hard work performed in the landscape over the previous winter and spring. However, there are still some essential tasks that need to be completed during the summer. Perform them in short...
Stinging Hymenopterans – Medical importance.
Introduction Summertime is known for cookouts, barbeque, a stroll through the park or even in your backyard; Be aware of stinging insects. These pests are especially active during the second half of summer and early fall when the colonies forage for food to sustain...
The Very Rare Pseudoscorpion
Sometimes the tiniest creatures can freak you out! One creature that may give you the chills is the pseudoscorpion. Pseudoscorpions are arachnids like other traditional scorpions, but they lack the stinging tail. They can range from 2 to 8 millimeters in length, so...
Citrus Survey for Homeowners
Are you a homeowner in Florida? Do you have citrus on your property? Consider helping the University of Florida/IFAS Extension by taking a survey! This survey is part of a research project carried out by the UF/IFAS to gather information on citrus pests in residential...
Plant of the Week: Crossandra
Crossandra in a back porch containter. Photo courtesy of Daniel Leonard. In Florida, selecting the right plant for a sometimes-shady spot can be tough. Generally, plants that can handle the stress of even a few hours of direct summer sun are considered...
Reduce Gasoline Use in Your Yard
With gas prices increasing, there are practical ways to reduce gasoline use in your own backyard. There are electric, battery, solar powered and robotic (autonomous) lawnmowers. Do you remember the non-motorized reel mower? Or, you could use sheep. But, for the time...