Search Results

Ant problem #830608

Asked May 17, 2023, 5:18 PM EDT

We have recently noticed a significant number of ants in the house. We do not see any specific location for where they are coming from. Can you offer any suggestions on how to get rid of them? I have included a picture, if that helps. Thank you in advance for your assistance.



Jackson County Michigan

Landscape Perennials: to keep or not to keep #825665

Asked April 14, 2023, 2:23 PM EDT

We purchased a two year old home with immature landscape in August of 2022. Much of the new landscape looked rather sickly then and now - April 2023 - I am not sure if any of the sickly looking plants are worth keeping or if we should replace them. Please see the attached photos. Thank you!



Yamhill County Oregon

Destroy ant hills in lawn and kill Queen #825518

Asked April 13, 2023, 4:12 PM EDT

My name is Bill and I live in Oakland County. I am retired but do a little bit of lawn mowing and basic landscaping.

I have lawn customer who at the end of last year had more than 100 anthills in her 13,000 sq.ft. lawn, also in Oakland County. Perhaps more than 200 ant hills. Just ravaging her lawn.

I found out about Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade last year and planned on applying it to her lawn this year. I called the manufacturer and they told me the package would give me directions on how to mix the powder with water so I could make a slurry to apply to a large lawn.

But the Customer Service Rep reminded me about what has to be done to get rid of the ants permanently and that is kill the queen. And Diatomaceous Earth will not do that.

So she recommended I contact your dept. to get your advice on what product to use on all the ant hills, but also what “bait” to use to kill the Queen.

Also I need direction on when to apply the products. I am getting ready to spread Spring fertilizer on my customer’s lawn. Can I kill Queen Bees and get rid of all the ant hills while also fertilizing. Or should I fertilize first, then kill the Queen Ants and all the ants too.

Any advice will be welcomed. I need to see simple, step by step instructions on “what products “ to use and when and in what sequence. I want my customer to be satisfied with the results so I can get on with fertilization and growing new grass in various areas.

Looking forward to your advice. The sooner the better. I assume we are already into the season for killing ants and queens.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bill VanHorn

4231 Crestdale Ave

West Bloomfield, Mi. 48323

Oakland County Michigan

Our neighbor brought 4 horses and other animals to their home and are keeping them in their large yard. They keep the horses closer to our home and the poop is piling up.They keep moving the large pile of poop located next to the property line 3 or 4 feet to the left or right a couple times a week. Is this hazardous to us and our neighbors? We have well water and the poop is located in close proximity to our well. We are also concerned about pathogens and flies. #825272

Asked April 11, 2023, 10:34 PM EDT

Our neighbor brought 4 horses and other animals  to their home and are keeping them in their large yard. They keep the horses closer to our home and the poop is piling up.They keep moving the large pile of poop located next to the property line 3 or 4 feet to the left or right a couple times a week. Is this hazardous to us and our neighbors? We have well water and the poop is located in close proximity to our well. We are also concerned about pathogens and flies.

Wicomico County Maryland

Any tips on how to keep cats away from my garden beds? #821850

Asked March 06, 2023, 10:56 PM EST

Hello, I have just started gardening with my Grandma the past couple of years. I have a garden at my house (I live with my parents) and we have 5-6 barn cats that are out during the day. The past two years I have found that the cats seem to think that the garden beds are their litter boxes. They have destroyed many young squash plants by digging them up and pooping on them. The garden is a little far from the house so I don't always have eyes on it to keep them away. When I do see them in there (the garden is fenced but they always jump over or get in through the broken greenhouse we have) I spray them with the hose to scare them out. I am hoping to find a better way of keeping them out of the garden and saving some of my plants for this year, any tips, tricks, or suggestions? Thank you!

Clackamas County Oregon

Ant invasion #818737

Asked January 17, 2023, 5:31 PM EST

We are inundated with tiny tiny ants in only one part of the kitchen. Can't find source of nest. What can we do to eradicate these little pests. They're more annoying than anything else.

Benton County Oregon

Needles for berries #817341

Asked December 07, 2022, 5:35 PM EST

I usually use pine needles to mulch my berry plants (blue and rasp). I'm not finding many this year but have a source for giant sequoia needles. Will these work and is there anything different I should do? I usually just pile them on or around the plants. I'm concerned that the sequoia might not be too dense or thick and might not break down. thanks for your response.

Lane County Oregon

PINE NEEDLES #815483

Asked October 29, 2022, 10:28 AM EDT

In the fall my backyard is carpeted with pine needles. Leaves can be turned into leaf mulch after time. Are pine needles of any use in my garden or yard?

Cuyahoga County Ohio

Red Pine #813827

Asked October 10, 2022, 3:32 PM EDT

I have a large red pine that is split about 4-5 ft off the ground with 2 main trunks. Each trunk is about 24-30 in in diameter. My cabin is about 8 ft away. Should I be concerned that this tree could fall on my cabin? It appears healthy overall.



Ogemaw County Michigan

Mugo pine losing needles #811860

Asked September 22, 2022, 5:10 PM EDT

Hello, We live in Lakeview Oregon and planted four 15 yr old mugo pines - pinus mugo fastigiata - last year. One is losing needles (browning) from the center trunk out, the others are showing a few branches with the same issue. The browning started this spring. We did have an issue this year with pine sawyer beetles (google image search of this bug), and didn't realize they could be susceptible to pine wilt, so we didn't pre treat with a systemic. All trees were planted in area that we felt provided a well drained area for their roots, and were watered per the instructions of the grower since planting. Two questions - 1) is this possible pine wilt (due to the parasite of the pine sawyer beetle or some other issue that possibly an arborist would need to see? 2) how can we save our mugo pines, including insecticides? (they are not near a water source, but preferably one that doesn't harm birds}. I've attached some pictures that might help. Many thanks, Mary Dax



Lake County Oregon