Core gardening guidance on soil, fertilizer, planting zones, pests, tools and routine garden maintenance to help home gardeners keep plants healthy.
Learn to spot thrips, understand the damage they cause, and choose the least-disruptive control method for your garden. What Are Thrips? Thrips (order Thysanoptera) are tiny, slender insects typically 1–2 mm long. Most species are plant feeders that use their…
Learn what millipedes really are, whether they harm your garden, and how to control them without unnecessary treatment. Key Takeaways What Are Millipedes? Millipedes are elongated arthropods belonging to the class Diplopoda. Despite their name (which means ‘thousand feet’), most…
Learn how to recognize deer ticks, understand where they concentrate in your yard, and take practical steps to reduce tick-friendly habitat around your home. 1. How to Identify Deer Ticks Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis), also called blacklegged ticks, are small…
Learn how to identify boxelder bugs, understand whether they’re truly harmful, and choose the right control method — without overtreating your home or garden. 1. How to Identify Boxelder Bugs Boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata) are flat, oval insects about 12…
Learn how to spot spider mites early, confirm the damage they cause, and choose the least-disruptive treatment that actually works. 1. How to Identify Spider Mites Spider mites are tiny arachnids — not insects — measuring less than 0.5 mm.…
How to identify termites, confirm damage or risk, and choose an effective control method — without unnecessary treatment. Key Takeaways 1. Identification Signs Termites are small (3–10 mm), soft-bodied insects that live in large colonies. Workers — the caste that…