Are blowflies attracted to certain plants? I hate the sight of blowflies in my garden and around my houseplants. These annoying bugs are more attracted to the scent of plants than plants themselves. They generally prefer to gather around spoiled meat, carcasses, feces, trash heaps, and compost piles. But, a few flowers give off a…
I was all set to harvest the lush, ripe tomatoes in my garden when I noticed that they were crawling with ants. But will ants harm my tomato plants, or will they still go on fruiting normally? While the sight of them was disconcerting, I’ve learned that ants aren’t interested in my tomatoes, and their…
How often do pill bugs eat? I’m always finding pill bugs in my garden and in the landscape around my home. Sometimes they make their way inside the home as well, which can be quite alarming! But, luckily, pill bugs are easy to clear away when they get inside our houses. And, in the garden,…
Can you live with bed bugs? I can recall my parents saying, “Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!” But although this is a cute little rhyme, there is nothing cute about bed bugs. These creepy little pests live in your bed, feed on your blood while you are sleeping, and can…
Can sawtoothed grain beetles survive without food? Even if you keep your foods securely sealed and hidden away, these pesky insects can somehow find their way into your favorite treats! And they need to consume them to survive. Flour and died goods like pet foods and staple grains are common victims of sawtoothed grain beetle…
I have used white to kill caterpillars on my plants, and it is particularly effective at destroying the eggs laid by moths and butterflies before they turn into caterpillars. But it isn’t a perfect solution to the problem. No keen gardener wants caterpillars that can harm plants in the garden by eating their leaves. If…
Will ants harm my lemon tree? Lemon trees are one of my favorite sights in any garden. But, like any fruit-bearing plant, pests can be a major concern. Ants have a mutualistic relationship with aphids, the tiny sap-sucking insects. Aphids and some of their kin excrete honeydew, a sugar-rich liquid that ants fancy. In the…
What do mice make their nests out of? If you can hear light scratching in your home, or if you’ve found droppings on the floor, it’s likely you have mice. In fact, you might have even seen a mouse running around when the sun goes down! Mice prefer enclosed, dark nests situated near a food…
Will ants harm my apple tree? Ants are a fact of life for me and most other gardeners. Ants are attracted to our gardens because they provide them with food, water, and shelter. If you grow apples, you’ll see lots of different insects on your trees, including ants. But, it’s important to know whether ants…
Can mice climb glass doors? Mice are incredibly creative at finding their way into our homes, reaching heights and fitting through impossibly small gaps. These tiny rodents are excellent climbers, but a glass door will challenge them as they have nothing to grip with the tips of their claws. Today I’ll take a closer look…
