The recent turn in the weather has me feeling all the fall vibes. I’m ready for leaves to turn, for pumpkin spice to be in everything, and for sweater weather. Although as a kid and young adult, Halloween hasn’t traditionally been my favorite holiday, my kids love it which means I love it. As our...
Recently, chilly mornings have me grabbing my hoodie before loading the kids into the car for school. Apple orchards are starting to advertise cider and donuts. Mums are starting to adorn front porches. And that smell…could it be? Pumpkin spice! I will continue to lie to myself and proclaim...
Despite the bad name they get, yellowjackets (Vespula spp.) are beneficial insects. The larvae are meat eaters, consuming caterpillars and other insects (and occasionally carrion) that adults have captured and brought back to the nest. Adults, on the other hand, primarily feed on flower...
For the most part, we think of fungal infections as undesirable and cause adverse effects on plants. Fungal pathogens can destroy crops, weaken and deform plant parts, or kill the host plant entirely. Fungal pathogens cause billions of dollars of economic loss annually. Within this context, as we...
You sprayed what? Where? There are a few occasions when it is a good thing people can’t read my facial expressions over the phone. One of those situations is when I get a phone call where someone has used a pesticide that is way off-label. By off-label, I am referring to spraying a pesticide...
If you’ve driven along any interstates or highways in Illinois, there’s a good chance you’ve seen tall plants with spiky flower heads. Teasels have become an increasingly common sight across Illinois. While they may appear attractive, especially for cut flower arrangements, these troublesome plants...
The time of year is nearing when the pawpaw (Asimina triloba) fruit will ripen and those lucky enough to have access to the fruit (and beat the wildlife to the ripened fruit) will enjoy a once-a-year delicacy. Those who have never been able to enjoy the fruit have time to search for a...
Finding interesting insects is fun! At least for me. I enjoy observing the intricacies of most insects. However, there are a few creepy crawlies I do not want to see, especially in my house. What insect has been on my “Most Un-Wanted” list? Termites. When we bought our house a few years ago we...
Magnolias are popular trees and shrubs in many landscapes. Their large, showy flowers can range from white to pink to yellow and provide a burst of color in the spring. While they are relatively pest-free, one of the biggest pests is the magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparvum), which...
Generally speaking, native plants are considered desirable since they support wildlife, can improve water quality while requiring less water themselves, are beautiful in the landscape, are generally more tolerant of climate conditions and soil types, and much more. However, from time to time a...
