Spiders can be beneficial in many situations since they eat a host of other insects. Unfortunately, some are also very venomous to humans, and they are also unwelcome indoors and around our landscapes where we might run into their webs.…
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…
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…
Fescue lawns occasionally get a fungal infection called Brown Patch. It occurs when nighttime temperatures are above 65 degrees, and there is high humidity. Symptoms include browning patches or a thinning lawn. Blades of grass around the infected areas will…
Blossom End Rot is a common disease that affects the fruit of many of our favorite vegetables. While tomatoes are the vegetable most affected, peppers, eggplants, and even summer squash can all exhibit blossom end rot. This disease develops as…
Bagworms are one of the most damaging pests to evergreens in Kansas. Bagworms are easily recognized by the bags they sew together from needles or leaves off of their host plant. In large numbers, they can defoliate and kill juniper,…
Poison ivy is a noxious weed that can quickly spread in shady and unmaintained areas of the landscape. Poison ivy can grow as a groundcover, as a vine up the trunks of trees, and even as a bush in some…
Johnson Grass is a grassy weed that requires particular attention because it is a spreading perennial that can ruin lawns and landscapes if not dealt with. While this grass is generally not a pest in well-managed areas, in lawns that…
In bird, butterfly, and organic vegetable gardens, chemicals are often not an option if a pest problem arises. One solution is to attract or buy beneficial or predatory insects. These insects can naturally reduce pest populations. The most common example…
