As autumn gets under way crops such as squash, pumpkins and cucumbers will begin to ripen. Just as people get excited about the delicious flavors of the season, so do a number of insects. Bugs like cucumber beetles, spider mites, squash bugs and vine borers tend to come out in full force during this time of the year. Keep reading to learn how to manage these autumnal pests:
Cucumber beetles
Despite their name, cucumber beetles will feed on a number of plants, including pumpkins, squash and melons. According to Clemson University, these insects can cause severe damage to crops, either killing plants off completely or slowing their growth significantly. Cucumber beetles are identified by their yellow, black-spotted bodies and long black appendages. They will feed on all parts of plants and may even transmit wilt-causing bacteria, thus causing further damage. The University recommended covering plants before and after they have been pollinated to prevent beetles from infesting them. Weeding is another effective way of keeping the beetles at bay.
Squash bugs
These insects will lay their eggs on the leaves of squash bugs so that their nymphs will have a ready food supply after they hatch. According to Michigan State University, squash bugs are greenish gray in color and shaped like a shield. When in the nymph stage, they are small and white and leave oval-shaped holes in plant leaves. When left untreated, a squash bug infestation can cause crops to shrivel and die out. If the infestation isn't caught early - before the eggs hatch - the nymphs are extremely hard to remove. The university recommended pyrethroid insecticide as the most effective management solution.
Spider Mites
As their name suggests, spider mites are a member of the arachnid family. From a distance, groupings of the mites will look like a fuzzy brown or orange covering on a plant. Closer inspection, however, will reveal large numbers of mites crawling over the surface of the plant. The University of California reported that spider mites will cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off the plant. Broad-spectrum insecticides often cause mite outbreaks as they are resistant to the chemicals, but their predators are not. As such, farmers can use other predatory mites to control spider mite populations.
Before using any pesticides, always monitor pest population levels and read all warning labels ahead of spraying.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
