Harmful Insect Control, In the Landscape

Most of us are still waiting for spring to get here so we can get out in the yard and start cleaning up after the winter. Speaking of cleaning up, hopefully we did a good job of getting the leaves off lawn areas last fall. There is sure to be damage to grass areas if leaves were not removed from the lawn.

One of the last things on our minds right now is any kind of bug or insect control in the yard. But one of the best ways to protect the bees and other pollinators is to avoid using harsh chemicals. Dormant spraying is a way to do that but timing is critical. Dormant Oil sprays are not toxic and when it is applied, in just a few weeks, before leaves and flowers begin to develop, this spray can suffocate harmful insects in the egg stage or very immature stage of development. It only makes sense to spray when the insects are most vulnerable and that is when they are just about ready to hatch and to begin to damage our plants. If we can cover the egg masses of mites, aphids and scales with a coat of very thin, highly refined oil, this will exclude the oxygen they need to survive and develop. These insects require the most oxygen just before they immerge so they are more vulnerable to suffocation about the first or second week in March.

We can only spray when temperatures will be above freezing for 48 hours after the spray is applied. Avoid spraying any needled evergreens that have blue foliage, like a blue spruce, because it may take the blue color away for that season. Read the label for other plants to avoid spraying.

This is the best way to eliminate harmful insects because it is:
• the most economical control,
• the least toxic to the environment and
• the most effective product to eliminate the most detrimental insects in the yard.



For information about a "soft" product to apply in early spring as a dormant spray go to http://qr.bonide.com/about/SearchForm?Search=dormant+spray&action_results. A dormant spray is particularly good for any scale insects. Bonide's oil spray is organic and can be used throughout the year, it is called All Seasons but an early dormant spray is most effective. If you have any Euonymus or Mugho pines in the landscape these plants are very susceptible to Oyster Shell Scale and should be sprayed annually before they begin growing in the spring. Rick, Scott or Earl can help answer any questions.

Send questions or comments to info@meadowview.com and we'll get back to you promptly.

Team Meadow View

www.meadowview.com.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Landscaping/Gardening Information:

Related Articles

Gardening and Flowers
Gardening is one of life's pleasures whether you grow flowers, vegetables or herbs; we look forward to the planting season. But whether you are new or seasoned gardener, it's important to remember a few basic things.
Viburnum
Viburnums are related to the honeysuckles, so it should come as no surprise that many of them have fragrant flowers. But that's not all they have in their favour.
Teak Furniture - How to Care for it Properly
Many finer homes and businesses feature beautiful indoor and outdoor furniture made from teak. Although the obvious reason is the beauty that comes from teak, there are many benefits to choosing this type of wood.
The Perfect Porch Swing
There is a magical quality to porch swings. In his summertime classic Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury describes the "ritual of the front-porch swing.
Garden Room Boundaries
The areas of your landscape can be divided into several sections and areas, which are also known as garden rooms. Garden rooms are spaces where you plant, grow, and display different ideas in gardening in various creative methods.
Closing Up Your Container Garden
All good things eventually come to an end and so summer is waning, even as autumn gives most of us a fresh start. I'll bet your summer container plantings aren't really benefiting, though, from the "back to school-oh I love a clean notebook" boost and aren't dying as gracefully as summer itself is.
Are There Really Black Roses?
Throughout the course of time, black roses have conjured up a variety of symbolic meanings. From unnatural worlds to death, vengeance, farewell or rebirth, the black rose has come to be viewed in a number of different ways depending on the occasion.
Selecting Outdoor Benches
Outdoor benches are an excellent way to enhance a garden, create additional seating in a backyard or add a resting spot for a business. With outdoor benches, you will discover a huge selection of materials such as stone, wood, concrete, brick, etc.
Canopy Swings - Escape the Weather with One
Do you love to sit outdoors and swing for hours but have to cut your relaxing excursions short due to the intense sun or brief summer showers? Do you get tired of having to wipe down your outdoor furniture before you can actually sit in it and enjoy it without fear of soiling your clothes? If so, maybe you should think about getting a canopy swing or purchasing canopies for your existing swings.Canopy swings offer a haven of comfort on extremely hot and sunny days or cloudy days when brief showers threaten.
Garden for Birds #4
I would like to know..
Guide to Basic Lawn Mower Maintenance
Trying to start your lawn mower after a long winter can be very frustrating. Performing a few routine maintenance tasks before you store your lawn mower for the winter can save you time in the spring, prolong the life of your lawn mower, and save you money over the long run.
Best Perennial Plants for Summer Color
Summer is here and it's time to plant and enjoy the beautiful flowers that blossom during the heat of the season. A perennial plant is one that remains in the ground for two or more years and ultimately gives a garden its character.
Grow the BEST Tasting Tomatoes
Tired of tomatoes that are rock hard and taste like cardboard? Stupid question! Use these tips to grow your own tomatoes bursting with flavour.Tomatoes are the most popular home garden vegetable grown for good reason.
Black Walnut Trees Produce A Natural Insecticide
The black walnut tree manufactures a substance that is anatural insecticide according to experts at the Texas StateUniversity in Austin.American black walnut tress contain a tannic acid chemistscall juglone.
Budget For Your Garden
Have you ever thought about how much it costs to maintain your garden? Most people never give it much thought - spending the odd day in the garden when they have time and impulse buying plants at the local nursery.But if you're serious about saving money and adding value to one of you're most important assets it's worth thinking about the ongoing costs associated with garden maintenance and how this can be minimized.
Trust Your Plants - They Know How To Grow!
I've done a lot of container gardening over the years, and one thing is a given for potted plants: it's a life of constant change. Moving around from one part of the garden, patio or sunroom to another, moving indoors and back outdoors again, and of course the inevitable periodic re-potting.
Come With Me To The Casbah!
A ripe persimmon is a thing of beauty - sweet, succulent and an amazing shade of orange-red. Orange and red continue to be popular colors in decorating this year but 2004's shades are softer and more vibrant, like ripe persimmons and pomegranates.
Companion Planting
If you look closely at the natural landscape, you'll never see a large area populated by a single species. Why then would it make sense to plant a single crop in a field or in a section of your garden? It doesn't.
Park Benches - Making the Right Choice
When most people hear the words, "park bench", they envision one of two things - someone sitting at the local park feeding the pigeons or Forest Gump. No matter what your mind conjures up, park benches have been popular for a long time and will continue to be a place where people can sit down and relax while visiting the park or zoo.
Landscape Wallpaper
Landscape wallpaper can be a great addition to your computer's desktop. Since most of us always have our PCs running, it is refreshing to see a beautiful masterpiece on the display when the computer is not in use.