Managing cockroaches without pesticides
By Ralph E. Mitchell I often ask people who want to control pests this question: “Do you prefer to mop up the floor or shut off the faucet?” This relates to the logic of whether… Read More
Category: Pests & Disease
Mealybugs – soft-bodied villains!
By Ralph E. Mitchell They creep in slowly with their unassuming soft-bodied nature settling in on plants like a meeting of tiny, friendly jelly donuts. Unbeknownst to the gardener, these insects, known as mealybugs, have… Read More
Puff goes the weed!
By Ralph E. Mitchell There is a subtropical/tropical plant in our area that in some parts of the horticultural world is a terrarium plant, a greenhouse resident or coveted house plant. Unfortunately, in many parts… Read More
There are good stink bugs
By Ralph E. Mitchell My reaction to a stinkbug on one of my plants is to squash it as quickly as possible – I have no qualms about handpicking pests – even stinkbugs! However, in… Read More
COVID-19 and UF/IFAS Extension
Updated 03/16/20 As we continue to monitor COVID-19 in Florida, I wanted to take a moment to update our UF/IFAS Extension community about our current status, best practices and next steps. Please call your local… Read More
Holey…black olives?
By Ralph E. Mitchell The title of this article needs a great deal of explaining! First, I am talking about the black olive tree, Bucida buceras, (not a true olive) a common, well-liked shade tree… Read More
Cigarette beetles in the house
By Ralph E. Mitchell While I often write about plants and pests outside the house, on occasion I also like to talk about common household pests that many of you may be dealing with –… Read More
New year’s gardening resolutions for 2020
By Ralph E. Mitchell Time for some personal horticultural growth and goal setting in the gardening department! The New Year is a great time to make some horticultural resolutions that will benefit any landscape. Let’s… Read More
Let nature help you
By Ralph E. Mitchell For every pest, there always seems to be a pest of that pest – a predator, parasite or some type of beneficial organism – that suppresses any aforementioned pest to levels… Read More
Rotten butts – the heartbreak of Ganoderma
By Ralph E. Mitchell To newcomers and long-time residents alike, palms make Florida a paradise to the eye and spirit. Unfortunately, there is a “little devil” of a disease that attacks our palms – Ganoderma… Read More