Category: Pests & Disease

Join the 42nd annual Master Gardener Volunteer training class in 2025.

by Paul Schumaker
December 4, 2024

By Ralph E. Mitchell Are you a candidate for the Charlotte County Master Gardener Volunteer Program? Do you enjoy meeting and talking with people? Do you like searching for answers to gardening questions that you or others have? If so, ... READ MORE

The heartbreak of whiteflies

by Ralph Mitchell
August 20, 2024

I walked by a ‘Gold Mound’ golden dewdrop in my front yard the other day and noticed something strange. Many of the leaves at the bottom where blackened and sticky looking. I looked closer and saw clouds of tiny white specks flying ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Tags: Sooty Mold, Whiteflies

The summer of stinging caterpillars

by Ralph Mitchell
July 17, 2024

Summer is in full blast, and I wanted to reissue some information on the topic of stinging caterpillars. When you think of caterpillars, you think of worm-like leaf-eaters that are generally harmless to humans. Caterpillars may be hairless, ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Tags: Caterpillars, Io Moth Caterpillar, Puss Caterpillar, Saddleback Caterpillar, Stinging Caterpillars

Tiny purple Podocarpus parasites

by Ralph Mitchell
September 19, 2023

While many landscape plants can be considered “pest-free”, on occasion there are insects that pop up which are problematic or at least need some attention. Knowing about an insect pest, its overall impact to a plant, and how to manage ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Tags: Aphids, Neophyllaphis Varicolor, Pests, Podocarpus

The oleander moth – color and calamity

by Ralph Mitchell
August 25, 2023

Most moths are nocturnal and can be colorful additions to our backyards often attracted to lights at night or found on the side of the house in the morning. There are also what are called “day-flying moths” which include the polka-dot ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Tags: Caterpillars, Moths, Oleander Moth

2023 – a bumper crop of lubbers?

by Ralph Mitchell
July 20, 2023

UF/IFAS Extension had a booth at the recent Public Works & Community Outreach Day held at the Fairgrounds on June 10th. Here we displayed our programs and shared information on what we do as an organization in the community. I ... READ MORE

Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Tags: Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, Large Insects, Romalea Microptera

Mites are not a disease

by Ralph Mitchell
June 1, 2023

When does a blight on a plant look like a disease, but is not? A Mexican petunia with a disease-like condition that is actually caused by microscopic mites is the answer! Many gardeners who have Mexican petunias experience this plague ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Tags: CATEGORY I Invasive, Disease, Eriophyid Mite, Mexican Petunias, Mites

The telltale leaf notcher

by Ralph Mitchell
February 2, 2023

At least initially, it seems that some pests were blown away by Hurricane Ian. Once such pest in my yard was the Sri Lankan Weevil. I had a small infestation that I was managing by hand-picking. The Sri Lankan weevil or Myllocerus ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Tags: Citrus, Green Buttonwood, Hong Kong Orchid Tree, Lychee, Myllocerus Undecimpustulatus Undatus, Pest, Pygmy Date Palm, Sri Lankan Weevil

Once upon a millipede

by Ralph Mitchell
August 23, 2022

We receive many calls from homeowners having issues with worm-like, several inch long critters that turn out to be millipedes. Millipede populations periodically congregate as they migrate to other sites – maybe your lanai or garage. In ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease
Tags: Gardening, Household Pests, Millipede, Nuisance

Animated pumpkin seeds – take a closer look!

by Ralph Mitchell
August 3, 2022

Are your eyes playing tricks with you, or did you just see what looks like a crawling pumpkin seed? No, it's just a household casebearer! This seed-shaped, case-bearing caterpillar is not an uncommon sight in our area. Homeowners often ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Caterpillars, Household Casebearer, Moth

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