Friday, May 18, 2012

Wasting away in 'misquitoeville'!!!!!!

Oh my, oh my, it is that time again. The miserable female mosquito is back and seeking some assistance in her program of expanding the birth rate of the mosquito population. Who, besides we humans has to concern themselves with mosquitoes? Well...your pets and all other warm blooded animals that's who.


Heck, its just a mosquito bite! Oh yes, but what else bad can happen? Let's try West Nile virus, dengue fever, yellow fever, malaria and river blindness for starters. Think of all of the little children, you know the ones: yours! We all have seen the results: welts, sores, scabs, insane itchyness and damage to your skin. Malaria is unheard of in our country but in other places it is a different story.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

ALERT! Insects and your Azaleas, Boxwood and Holly

Now is the time for all of us to take a good close look at our shrubbery. Have you ever checked the replacement cost of an Azalea that is, let's say 3 'high and 6' in diameter?

Aphids

How about an American Holly at about 8' high and beautifully shaped? Can you imagine the replacement costs for mature American or worse yet English Boxwood?
Well you better be seated when you do: the costs of mature azalea, holly or boxwood can easily go to hundreds of dollars. How foolish it would be to lose several large azaleas, hollies or other large shrubs. Leaf miners, aphids, spider mites and lace bugs all do the same thing: destroy beauty. Yes, there are non-spray alternatives: notably soapy water, lady bugs, parasitic wasps and flower flies can and in some cases are all that is needed. If, however, your shrubs need help now then reconcile yourself to many applications of soapy water and remember that the bug predator approach is rather sketchy and probably won't do the job.

Lace Bugs

Of course the choice is yours: we did notice that one of the finer greenhouse locations does stock lady bugs for the purpose of dealing with the aphids and other insects. Aphids are a bug that just plain keeps on giving; they feast on the stems and leaves and secrete a substance popularly referred to as "honeydew" translation: a really sticky gooey slime on the plant and if you are really unlucky: all over the floor of your home. There are products available through your local lawn care company. First of all they will have staff available to diagnose the problem and to offer a solution. I do know in our home aphid damage is severe and has resulted in the plants death. Why use insecticides? Well, the insecticide used is organically based and is very effective. Soapy water, while an effective agent is not systemic and the soapy water approach must be repeated for many, many weeks!!! Lady Bugs are an excellent defense: if they will stay.

 Please, please inspect your shrubs: the signs are there and so is an answer to the problem. Contact us at: 1-800-529-6227 or 410-867-8873. Remember BOG: we offer solutions to your problems!