Search Results

Pest ID help on seedlings #862903

Asked March 31, 2024, 12:21 AM EDT

I overwintered some potted peppers in my basement and subsequently ended up overwintering some pests, too. These bugs are getting onto my vegetable garden seedlings and I'd like to know if I can leave them be or is i need to be aggressive in trying to remove them. I'm picking them off as I see them for the time being. Take a look at the picture and let me know what you think. Kale cotyledon is what they're on the underside of in the picture. Thanks!



Hennepin County Minnesota

What are these swollen portions on thimbleberry stalks? #862902

Asked March 30, 2024, 11:22 PM EDT

What are these swollen portions on thimbleberry stalks?



Benton County Oregon

Parrotia persica Vanessa suffering from infestation or? #862871

Asked March 30, 2024, 2:48 PM EDT

I planted 3 Parriotia fall 2022. One of them has developed bark damage that I am unable to identify and treat. It appears as if an insect is eating the underlayer of the bark, or a fungus, but unable to figure this out. The damage is into the cambium layer on the trunk creating large sores. This one tree of 3 is also growing shoots along the trunk the others are not. I can find no insect infestation except for a few small spiders making nests in the damaged areas. The tree appears healthy otherwise as it is leafing out.



Lane County Oregon

Bedbug Identification #862860

Asked March 30, 2024, 11:23 AM EDT

Can you please tell me if this is a bed bug? I am currently staying at an AirBNB in Whitehall Montana. I am here with a group, but I am the only person who has been waking up with rashes and bug bites so I didn’t think so. But then this morning I found this in my bed. Can you please identify this bug for me? Thank you. 



Jefferson County Montana

Eradicate Star of Bethlehem pkant #862849

Asked March 29, 2024, 11:40 PM EDT

I have tried digging this plant out for years but with its many bulblets and fine roots, eradicating it has been impossible. We do not use chemicals and other than digging out the clumps or putting the dug-up soil through a sifter, I wonder what you might be able to suggest. In good years I try to ignore it and mow it low, but am disheartened that it keeps coming up. Thankyou! (And the same goes for Lesser Celandine!)

Montgomery County Maryland

Difficulty with greenhouse tomatoes and peppers #862841

Asked March 29, 2024, 8:11 PM EDT

Hello I'm doing my best to grow tomatoes and peppers in a greenhouse but the leaves start to get leathery, curl, and twist after a while. The plant looks otherwise healthy. What could solve this problem? Pictures attached



Malheur County Oregon

Crepe Myrtle bark scale treatment #862834

Asked March 29, 2024, 6:27 PM EDT

How do you treat it?



Wake County North Carolina

Tree Health #862807

Asked March 29, 2024, 1:12 PM EDT

Can you suggest someone to assess the health of two trees that we have in the backyard? One is a maple that’s at least 50 years old and the other is an ash. I’d prefer someone that is not also in the business of removing trees. I appreciate any help you can offer.

Boulder County Colorado

English Boxwood Blight? What to do? #862786

Asked March 29, 2024, 10:05 AM EDT

Hello, We llive in Bethesda, and our english boxwoods a gift when we moved in 30 years ago are dying. Thought they were mites and treated but still dying. What do we do? Pull out and put something different in? Transplant one of the healthier boxwoods in the yard? Thank you for your assistance. We love these boxwoods our inlaws got from Mt Vernon stock years ago. Thank you!

Montgomery County Maryland

Timing of Gall Fly Emergence #862779

Asked March 29, 2024, 12:33 AM EDT

I am a teacher interested in looking at goldenrod galls with students and opening them to see if they contain the original fly (Eurosta solidagnis as either larva or pupa) or one of their parasites instead (wasp or beetle). I read that the flies emerge in "late or mid-Spring". I have a few questions regarding the timing of their life cycle in Michigan (Lansing area). I am wondering when specifically they emerge in Michigan, so I have an idea of how late in the season I have for my class to look at them and expect they are likely to still contain pupa or larva before it is "too late." Do they emerge in May / June, or could it be as early as April? If we open galls in April, would they most likely still be inside assuming a bird didn't pull them out (for the flies, wasps, and beetles)? If they are likely to still be inside the galls, would they already be in the pupal case by April, and if so how would we know if the pupa is the fly, beetle, or the parasitic wasp? What specifically triggers their final change to the adult form and emergence from the gall... would the mild winter we had cause them to emerge sooner than usual (is it temperature), or is it more related to light or some other factor? I know the flies only live for a short time once they emerge and lay their eggs on goldenrod stems, but I am unsure of how they "know" that goldenrod stems would have sprouted and be "ready" for them. If I gather some galls in February or March, can I store them in a fridge or freezer to later look at during a lesson in April (would the cold temperatures keep them from moving to the next life cycle stage - whether that be pupa or adult?). I've read some articles about the life cycle but still need help figuring out timing and whether examining the gall contents is still possible in April since April is when we do a unit about insects so is the most suitable time to look at them in terms of my curriculum. An additional question I have - I looked at some galls in the past during September, and many of them (more than half of the 20 we looked at) did not seem to contain any larva at all (not of fly, wasp, or beetle) nor signs of an exit hole... do you think this means the larva just somehow died and decomposed, or do the galls form for other reasons not related to the insects, or is there another explanation you would suggest? Thank you for your feedback!

Ingham County Michigan

Memorial Tree #862768

Asked March 28, 2024, 6:58 PM EDT

This year we found this at the base of the weeping cherry tree, some of the branches also look like they have been injured. Wondering what is the cause and if anything can be done? This is a memorial tree, on the grounds of a funeral home. The tree was planted in 2020. I spoke with the nursery that I bought it from, they said it was a beetle.



Jackson County Oregon

Juniper Trees turning yellow #862752

Asked March 28, 2024, 3:51 PM EDT

Of two large juniper trees, one of them is turning yellow while the other stays vibrant green. Last year I did trim out some branches that had turned brown. This year notice entire tree is turning yellowish. Lots of rain so not need watering.

Lincoln County Oregon

Body mite? Lice? #862750

Asked March 28, 2024, 3:44 PM EDT

I was recently in California and came home itching, I have been able to capture two very small insects on my body, How can I get them identified?

District of Columbia County District of Columbia

Nellie Stevens Chlorosis #862740

Asked March 28, 2024, 2:55 PM EDT

Good Afternoon. Can you shed any light on the problem I am having with my Nellie Stevens? It is only 5 years old and is severely chlorotic and losing leaves like mad. BTW, I have other "Nellies" which are perfectly glossy and healthily dark green. I have just made an application of Iron, but wanted to see if you think that is what the problem is. If is is a more serious problem, I want to get it out of that location before I transfer the issue over the rest of my landscape. If it is a serious or communicable problem, would I need to remove soil, mulch etc from that location? Many thanks! So grateful for this valuable resource to the average gardener!



Harford County Maryland

What are Cacadas #862697

Asked March 28, 2024, 8:48 AM EDT

What are cicadas and how do you control them

Jackson County Oregon

Centipedes, Clover Mites, Fleas, Roly-Polys Springtails #862695

Asked March 28, 2024, 8:46 AM EDT

I have been dealing with a long running infestation of Springtails mostly (but occasionally centipedes and roly-polys and very often clover mites and fleas) in my home. I have been dealing with this problem since August of 2023, and nothing seems to be helping. Can you please offer any suggestions, such as purchased remedies, home remedies, possible sources for living/breeding so I can stop them at the source, etc. I have spent thousands doing the following: removing mulch, sealing with caulk open flooring/wall/bathroom areas, pest sprays inside the home (Ortho Home Defense, flea and tick sprays, etc.), lawn sprays, professional pest control services, purchasing de-humidiers, moisture bags, flea lamps/traps, and sticky traps, removing carpet from all floors and replacing with faux hardwood, replacing a leaky water spigot on exterior of home near foundation, air duct cleaning, steam cleaning, home remedies (apple cider vinegar, bowls of water with Dawn in them, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, vacuuming for hours each day, etc.). They have infiltrated everything: clothes, bedding, drawers, etc. Last summer they took over my whole life so much that I had to stay in a hotel for about 30 days just to have them off of me/get any sleep. Please help. Thank you. (I live in Fortville, IN now - I used to be a resident of Lansing and Portage, MI, but a friend suggested I reach out to you with the hopes that you could offer suggestions).



Ingham County Michigan

What to spray on fruit trees Mar/Apr 2023 #862682

Asked March 27, 2024, 10:42 PM EDT

Hello! We moved into a place in S. Albany with two ‘Asian pear’ (probably - they taste and look like Asian pears at least!) trees that are well-established (our neighbors suggested they are 15+ years old!) and a few dwarf fruiting trees (a pear, peach, and cherry) that were planted maybe in late ‘21 (we moved here in spring ‘22 - I suspect ‘curb appeal’ came into play!). The first year the Asian pears were great and I was able to can with them (pear conserve and pear butter - yum!). The last few years the Asian pears have been mealy and wormy, and the dwarves have never really bore much fruit (likely because they are very young - I picked two cherries last year after seeing blooms for the first time, we accidentally knocked down two pears before they were ripe the last two years; and while blooms were enjoyed last year, nothing resembling a peach yet!). My limited understanding is that the type of season we have may dictate what types of things to spray fruit trees for. So, what to spray, and when? If it’s helpful, the Asian pears have full blossoms already. The dwarves have just started budding leaves (and there’s some colorful buds maybe opening a few weeks out yet). What should we investigate further, what actions can we take next (and/or next year if we ‘missed the boat’), and (if needed) where can we procure sprays and other resources for future bountiful harvests? Thank you! - K

Linn County Oregon

What are local berries sprayed with? #862679

Asked March 27, 2024, 8:35 PM EDT

Hello! Every Spring & Summer, I really look forward to picking local strawberries and blueberries. Last year I noticed that the blueberries were slick with something sort of oily that looked like it had been sprayed on... and I saw a truck closeby that looked like it could have been the sprayer. And at another place, I saw strawberry plants that I had picked from one week, and the next week I drove by and saw all the plants were suddenly brown and dried up. I started wondering what all these plants might be sprayed with. Pesticides? herbicides? fungicides? I understand it's almost impossible to do organic growing all the time, unfortunately.. but I just want to know what I'm consuming. I could ask the people working there but sometimes they are young kids or it's possible the people wouldn't know (or they wouldn't tell the truth..?) Is there a standard practice that local growers use...? Thanks!

Wicomico County Maryland

Is this a termite? #862620

Asked March 27, 2024, 10:49 AM EDT

Found this bug coming in and out of a hole hear our foundation. Want to know if this looks like a termite?



Denver County Colorado

What’s wrong with my Madrone Trees? #862601

Asked March 26, 2024, 10:40 PM EDT

Hi, I live in Jackson County Oregon, and on the hillside in front of my house there are many oak and Madrone trees. Several of my Madrone seem to be rotting at the base of the tree. Can you help?



Jackson County Oregon

Locust tree bark breakages? #862599

Asked March 26, 2024, 9:14 PM EDT

Our locust tree has developed some worrisome cracks and bark peeling over the winter. We have watered it several times this winter, whenever there has been a longer dry stretch. I'm including some photos and would appreciate advice on how to help the tree.



Boulder County Colorado

Struggling jasmine #862588

Asked March 26, 2024, 7:19 PM EDT

In the past two months my star jasmine has started to look unhealthy. Many dry and brown leaves. I’m thinking it started with the icy weather in February but don’t know for sure. It’s fairly well established and has generally been healthy with an occasional period of spotty or dry leaves. What’s wrong and what can I do to help it recove



Multnomah County Oregon

Flying Insect Identification #862581

Asked March 26, 2024, 6:27 PM EDT

Looking to try to identify the flying bug in the enclosed photo that came into our place today. Can we take any actions to try to prevent future incursions? We live on the 11th floor and are unclear on the entry point. Note that we first sprayed this guy with Deet, to minimal immediate effect it seemed, and then with a mix of dish soap and water to disable it. Hopefully expanding the picture will give you the detail needed to make the identification. Thanks



Montgomery County Maryland

rust on hemlock branches #862544

Asked March 26, 2024, 1:27 PM EDT

A presumed hemlock we walk by every day "suddenly" has extensive rust-color on its stems. My questions are is this bad, is there anything we can do, and is the self-seeded tree actually hemlock (fairly near a very large hemlock).



Calvert County Maryland

Spring leaf cleanup #862530

Asked March 26, 2024, 10:54 AM EDT

I live in Anne Arundel county near Annapolis when is it safe to remove leaves and debris from garden beds so as no to disturb hibernating insect

Anne Arundel County Maryland