Annuals may not bloom for a variety of reasons. If your petunias or geraniums suddenly quit blooming, the first thing to check for is budworms. These small green caterpillars that will eat the blooms before the buds even open. Million bells…
Little Barley is a grassy weed that can also be a concern for pet owners and anyone with socks on in early summer. This winter annual will produce seedheads and turn brown in early summer, even if it is mowed…
Nutsedge, sometimes called nutgrass or watergrass, looks like tall, thin, glossy blades of grass in the lawn and in landscape beds. It is actually in the sedge family. The fastest way to identify it is to roll an entire spring or…
Grubworms are the larval form of various beetles, the Masked Chaffer being the most damaging in Kansas. When the grubs are at their largest in late summer they can do considerable damage to lawns by eating the roots of the…
Powdery mildew is a disease that can affect a wide range of plants. It forms a very distinct-looking white powder, generally on top of infected leaves. In severe cases, it can also be found on the undersides of leaves, buds,…
Spider mites are very small, so they can’t be seen with the naked eye, but they can cause a lot of damage. The first sign of their presence is pale, dirty-looking patches of foliage. The simplest way to confirm their…
Aphids are small, soft insects with sucking mouthparts. They come in a variety of colors and can attack a wide variety of plants as well. They are generally found under leaves and on tender new stems, often in colonies. The…
Whiteflies are tiny insects that feed on the undersides of the leaves of many plants including houseplants, tropicals, and even vegetables. Hibiscus are especially prone to whitefly. Whiteflies are a sucking insect that can damage the leaves by removing too…
While many homeowners are aware of the damage boring insects can do to trees, they may be less familiar with the uniform holes of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. This bird is a woodpecker that feeds primarily on the sap of trees…
