Search Results

White specs on crape Myrtle bushes #861769

Asked March 17, 2024, 7:15 PM EDT

Could you tell me what the white specs on my crape Myrtle shrubs are and how to treat it? And if I should give them a hard cut back while under treatment?



Howard County Maryland

grubs? #861752

Asked March 17, 2024, 4:27 PM EDT

I'm wondering what these grubs are that I'm finding in my garden beds, and are they pests or harmless to my vegetables and plants? I also have a lot of potato bugs and worms, are these okay for garden beds? 

Thanks so much for your help! 



Marion County Oregon

Yard infestation from Grubs. #861697

Asked March 16, 2024, 6:50 PM EDT

Hello, I have a pretty significant infestation of grubs that I believe to be crane flies that has killed a significant portion of our turf. I would like to know what I can use to kill them so I can redo my lawn this spring?



Marion County Oregon

StarJasmine with black spots #861687

Asked March 16, 2024, 4:48 PM EDT

What can I do to fix black spots on my 3 Star Jasmine vines. They are now 8 years old and have been performing wonderfully up until this. They have grown quite large and lush. Should I trim them back and then use a fungicide? Or should I pull them out and refresh the soil and start over? Or are there other or better options?

Clackamas County Oregon

Boxwood leaves turning white at tips #861683

Asked March 16, 2024, 3:57 PM EDT

I recently sprayed my boxwoods with neem oil for leaf miners (visible damage on leaves). About 1 week later there are a few leaves randomly on each plant turning white at tips with a brown line closer to base of leaf. These are established plants. I did transplant a couple of them, but even the no transplanted boxwoods have a few leaves like this. Thanks in advance.



Clermont County Ohio

Soil Testing #861660

Asked March 16, 2024, 11:04 AM EDT

Hi. 2 questions: 1) Will Reliance peach grow in Lexington & bear fruit ? 2) does extention service test soil for free ? Thanks, Ron

Fayette County Kentucky

What bug is this #861653

Asked March 16, 2024, 10:26 AM EDT

We have been finding these in our house. They appear to be a very small grasshopper that is clear or opaque. It does hop when try to catch. Likes a warmer window.



Ramsey County Minnesota

Browning Boxwood leaves #861610

Asked March 15, 2024, 4:48 PM EDT

Last year I noticed a gradual browning of segments of several of my boxwoods. I do not think that it is related to drying out, as the worst affected bush is in the wettest location. I also applied fertilizer last year near that plant because I transplanted irises nearby. BTW, the stems of the boxwoods look completely normal to me.



Baltimore County Maryland

leaning tree #861597

Asked March 15, 2024, 2:29 PM EDT

What advice do you have to give about a tree in our back yard has been leaning south about 7 degrees. After a day of strong winds here last week, I saw this same tree has developed a deep vertical split completely thru side to side and its about 8 ft high starting at the base, again on the high side of the trunk

Frederick County Maryland

Insect on lettuce #861595

Asked March 15, 2024, 2:22 PM EDT

What is this insect on the underside of my lettuce and spinach leaves?



Anne Arundel County Maryland

Red Chokeberry stems infested #861589

Asked March 15, 2024, 1:41 PM EDT

I am trying to support local wildlife and pollinators so I just purchased a red chokeberry a few weeks ago. I noticed about 5 days later it had little white specs all over the main stem and on some branches. I have searched the internet for hours but cannot find what it could be. I am scared to plant it. Don't know if I should treat it or try returning it?? Please help.



Somerset County Maryland

Wasp extermination #861585

Asked March 15, 2024, 1:28 PM EDT

We recently purchased a home and the previous owners said they contact MES regarding lethargic wasps that are appearing inside our home. She said it may be paperwhite or something and suggested we contact you to learn the best way to exterminate them. I appreciate your assistance. Elisabeth

Montgomery County Maryland

Fruit trees placement #861567

Asked March 15, 2024, 12:03 PM EDT

HI! I'm excited about my new fruit trees that arrived yesterday. One Rlberta peach, stella cherry, d'anjou pear, and one 2 in 1 apple tree. I'm wondering how far apart should they be planted from each other. I was going to plant along the back fence. The entire are gets full sun. According to the directions each one except the pear doesn't need a second tree. I'm in a two person household and ont need a monstrous amount of harvest to get a second tree for the rest. Thank you in advance.



Prince George's County Maryland

Choose a native Oregon Ash tree or a cultivar/other tree for a playground? #861547

Asked March 15, 2024, 10:44 AM EDT

Hello kind people at the Extension Service! I am a parent volunteer designing a playground for a charter school, and we have a donor giving us funds to develop our landscape. We have some tree choices to make, and one in particular that I wanted to ask about. My plan is to plant about 9 trees along the base of the slope to help uptake the excess water in winter that creates muddiness in the playground, as well as provide light shade for the slope. The trees need to do well despite neglect, as the school is maintained by volunteers that rotate out as their kids graduate. The trees will have wet feet in winter, and neglect in summer (I will be out there to water during the next 2 summers though). I was thinking that the Oregon Ash (fraxinus latifolia) would be a great choice for the bottom of a south facing slope. In the winter, the soils are quite wet, and in the summer, it is hot and dry. Oregon Ash seems to grow anywhere! However, it's not the prettiest tree. In the plant descriptions, Autumn Purple Ash (fraxinus americana 'Autumn Purple') needs well-draining soils. I'd love to plant this tree for an autumn "tree moment" for the kids, but if the trees won't thrive, then it would be a waste of money. Could Autumn Purple do okay? Maybe if planted slightly higher on the slope? Would that provide enough winter drainage, or just be wet on a slope? The attached photos are of the site. The trees would go along the bottom of the slope between the buildings and the playground, which is flat at the bottom. The buildings are N of the playground, making the slope south facing. Do you have any other suggestions for trees that would do well in clay soils, with wet feet in winter, dry South-facing full sun in summer, are non-toxic, easy to maintain, grow quickly, and have no thorns. Maybe a poplar? An Alder? Oregon Ash seems to fit the bill, but seeing it growing in ditches doesn't make it an exciting tree for the people at the school, even though in my opinion it does give nice shade. Thank so much for any advice or suggestions.



Marion County Oregon

Ginko girdle #861546

Asked March 15, 2024, 10:36 AM EDT

Hello, My question is regarding a Ginko tree of ours that downey woodpeckers decided they liked over the winter. They have pecked substantial parts of bark off the trunk. About 3/4's around the trunk. This is a young tree that is only about 10 feet tall and about 4 inches around the trunk. I have wrapped the pecked parts in tree wrap but the birds have moved to other areas of the tree and done additional damage. My question is will this damage the tree so much that it will not survive? or be stunted? Should we consider taking it out and replacing it? So far, it is still showing leaf buds all the way to the top. Thanks for any help you might offer. Yours, Jeff Reed

Dakota County Minnesota

pruning crapemyrtle and roses #861528

Asked March 15, 2024, 6:27 AM EDT

Is is ok this time of the year to trim back Crape myrtle and knock our roses?

Montgomery County Maryland

Spotted Lantern flies #861523

Asked March 14, 2024, 10:00 PM EDT

I live in baltimore city in Fells Pointthere are two large - at least 40 yrs old ailanthus trees in my not very large backyard! There arr also teo very old grape vines and a Japanese maple. I have some other plant- rose bushes hydrangeas a lilac bush and a river birch about 25 ft high as well Which sits under one of the ailanthus and maybe partially under the second. Should i cut down the ailanthus trees or st least one. Last summer the grape vines, hydrangeas! Maple tree as well as furniture had sticky black residue on them. Whst is the best thing to do. I understand they hibernate/breed?? on/in the ailanthus! If i remove the ailanthus i understand thst should happen very soon! Thank yoi

Baltimore City County Maryland

Lady Bugs in the House #861513

Asked March 14, 2024, 8:26 PM EDT

We live in Seal Rock, just south of Newport. Lady bugs are appearing in our kitchen/eating area. As many as 30 to 40 at a time. They appear in the afternoons, particularly on warm sunny days. There are several large windows in this area and they are attracted to them. There is also a chandelier and when it is on they are attracted to the lights in the chandelier. There are 8 potted plants in this area, 6 fairly large and 2 small. One of the large potted plants has a history of scales. My theory is that they are laying eggs in the potted plants. We've looked in the pots for the pupa and larva but have not seen anything. There doesn't appear to be any opening to the outside they could come in through. We don't kill them. We catch them and release them outside. They don't appear anyplace else in then house (house is 2,800 sq ft and 2 story). My questions are: 1) where do they come from; and 2) how do we get rid of them? Thank you for your help.

Lincoln County Oregon

What are these holes on my willow tree? #861504

Asked March 14, 2024, 6:57 PM EDT

What are these holes on my willow tree?



Baltimore County Maryland

Pond larvae #861497

Asked March 14, 2024, 6:15 PM EDT

What is the best way to identify what appears to be some type of larvae swimming in my small backyard pond? They are not mosquito larvae (unless this is a very early stage - I have only seen the mosquito larvae that are near the surface and jerk around). These appear to be swimming in schools but there are no fish in it and no way for fish to get there without assistance. I looked online at various larval stages and can't find anything that looks like these. Thanks for any assistance!

Polk County Oregon

Scale control #861475

Asked March 14, 2024, 2:54 PM EDT

What is the best way to control scale on indoor houseplants?

Franklin County Ohio

Peaches and apples #861424

Asked March 14, 2024, 9:35 AM EDT

I am interested in preventative insect and disease treatments for my 2 peach trees and 2 apple trees at my house. Prefer organic but not necessarily. Publications are fine, or specific recommendations

Geauga County Ohio

Sciota celtidella #861404

Asked March 13, 2024, 8:31 PM EDT

What is the reproduction cycle of Sciota celtidella? That's the little green worm that climbs up things and then descends on a thread.

Bastrop County Texas

Praying Mantis indoor hatching #861392

Asked March 13, 2024, 6:35 PM EDT

Can praying mantis egg cases be hatched indoors?

Would that be a good idea if it may be an invasive mantis?

Montgomery County Maryland

Azalea lace bug #861391

Asked March 13, 2024, 6:30 PM EDT

What should I spray? I have it on my rhodies as well.

Lane County Oregon