What is July “known for” in the landscaping world?
Pests!
Yes, you heard us! Pests come out to play in the summer (pretty much as soon as it gets a little warmer outside) and they munch on your plants!
But don’t worry too much about it. Our IPM program (Integrated Pest Management Program) is able to take care of this issue for you.
How will you know when it’s time to sign up for it? Luckily we can show you what to look out for.
Below are some of the most common pests to watch out for, which plants they will be targeting and how they will be effecting them.
-BSL
Please direct your attention below:
Pest: Spider Mites
Plant: Alberta Spruce Tree Spider
Mites are little “small as sand grains” spiders. They leave small webbing inside or on the area that is affected by the pest so that is how one can identify them. Spider mites need to be identified early; if they get identified too late, we might need to talk about replacement options for the Alberta Spruce tree. Where else could we see Spider Mites? Arborvitaes (they have similar foliage to Albertas).
Flower of the Month
(Image copyrights belong to carmenjohnstongardens.com)
July's Pick : Endless Dream Hydrangea
Pest: Aphids
Plant: Crape Myrtle
Aphids specifically infest crape myrtles. This specific pest sucks the plant juices off the leaves of the plant (on the underside specifically). A good amount of the juice leaving the plant becomes this sugary fluid that is sticky and called “honeydew”. Leaves that are covered with honeydew become infested with a fungus called sooty mold. Sooty mold produces a coat over the leaf that is dry and black. That makes the leaf drop before it’s time. Where else can we see Aphids? Hollies & roses.
(Image copyrights belong to texasinsects.tamu.edu)
Pest: Bagworms
Plant: Evergreen
Bagworms do the same thing as butterflies. You probably will not see the bagworms themselves, but you will see the little brown cocoon-looking camouflage bag they make in the tree. Bagworms prefer evergreens over any other kind and once they find the one they like – they start munching on it. They will eat buds and foliage causing the tip of the branch to turn brown and die. If the bagworm isn’t stopped before it eats 80% of the evergreen, the entire plant may die.
(Image copyrights belong to extension.umd.edu)
Pest: Lace Bugs
Plant: Azalea
Lace bugs are the number one pest of azaleas. Why do we call them lace bugs? Because the wings of the bug have markings resembling to lace. Those markings make them difficult to be seen on the leaf. Both adult and nymph lace bugs suck plant sap from under the leaf.
The leaf then gets damaged and turns into a grey color. If the damage is severe, the leaf will turn white and will drop early. The saddest part is that most of the time, we won’t catch the lace bug damaging the plant until it is already visibly white. The black bits you can see on the leaf backside are bit of of insect waste and skins casted off.
(Image copyrights belong to extension.msstate.edu)
Mosquito Prime Time
Is your backyard swarming with mosquitos?
Getting tired of being feasted on when you’re sitting outside on your gorgeous patio?
Are you over slathering your skin in bug repellent every time you step outside of your home?
Give us a call; we’ll come, spray ’em away with our mosquito program and you won’t have to worry about them again.
(Image copyrights belong to ci.cambridge.mn.us)
Plants that “take over”:
As you all have probably guessed by now; we love plants! We like the greenery and enjoy when nature takes over and just “does it’s thing”. But sometimes, there are curtain plants that like giving us a harder time than others. That being said, keep a close eye on some invasive plants this summer that might take over your yard and will do it so gracefully you won’t even notice it happening.
English Ivy:
This plant looks beautiful but drowns every other plant around it by blocking the sunlight out. The leaves can cause an allergic reaction if touched. How do you get rid of it? To eradicate the vine from a surface – grab a pry bar, place it under the vine and gently pull away from the surface. Mowing ivy groundcover to ground level multiple times within the year and that will slowly kill the spread of the ivy.
(Image copyrights belong to smpilconsulting.com)
Japanese Stilt grass:
Considered one of the most damaging and invasive plant species in the U.S. Behind the stilt grass one can see native vegetation trying to fight the onslaught of the invader. How do you fight it? Mulch, maintain a healthy grass and remove throughout the beds and wooded areas.
(Image copyrights belong to bygl.osu.edu)
Russian Olive Tree:
A hardwood tree full of thorns that can easily take over river banks, choke out cotton woods, boxelders and willows. These trees are known to smother creeks and canals while interfering with stream flow. How do you get rid of it? Chemical application on the cambium rings of the stump. Which chemical? Glyphosate products.
(Image copyrights belong to smpilconsulting.com)
Alert!!
If you see these invasive plants on your property and need help controlling them give us a call. We can help!
(Image copyrights belong to arborfacts.com)
Do You Have A Soggy Yard?
Did you know water pooling in your yard can destroy the roots of your grass and plants? When soil does not drain properly, several problems surface. Erosion, puddles, and pest are the main problem that can cause your yard to look less than perfect. Don’t know how to start? We can help! Give us a call or send us a message!
We offer multiple drainage solutions to fit your unique needs!
Mulching Done Right
Landscape Lighting
Cleanup and Mulching
Irrigation Turn-on
Stump Grinding
