Pest Control

Hoo boy. I get asked this question all the time by Rural Sprout readers. One minute, your tomatoes are doing fine, and then, within a day or two, you have …

I’m going to begin this article with a rather bold statement, and it will probably upset many gardeners. Squash bugs aren’t killing your squash plants. Excuse me? What did you …

Tomato gardeners, I’d like to paint an all-too-familiar scene for you. You’re out in the garden, happily picking ripe tomatoes from your plants, when you notice a twiggy, leafless branch. …

Nothing spoils a summer evening faster than the high-pitched hum of an incoming mosquito. And you know it’s never one; they always bring friends. It only takes a few bites …

The imported cabbageworm (Pieris rapae) is a notorious pest, known by gardeners all over North America. As lovely as they are, seeing the small white butterflies flit about your brassicas …

In late spring, around the time the weather starts to be consistently nice – it happens. You’re outside, soaking up the sun, when you feel a tickle on your arm. …

Attracting ladybugs to your garden is one way to maintain diversity and manage it organically. Organic gardening always involves recognizing that we are not alone in our gardens. Successful gardens …

As any seasoned weed-puller knows, keeping on top of weedy growth in the lawn and garden is a never-ending grind. Some weeds are easy, yank them up once and they’re …

Earthworms are among the most beloved residents in the home garden. Tireless in their quest to tunnel, feed, and poop, worms are amazing for aerating the soil, breaking down organic …

Earwigs are abundant in the moist and dark nooks of the garden. Moving a flower pot or overturning a stone can be a startling reminder of their presence, revealing dozens …

As summer evenings start to edge on the cooler side to make way for fall, you can put your ear close to the ground and hear the percussive march of …

We’ve already discussed the many ways that Castile soap can save you time and money inside your home. So, how about you grab your favorite bottle of liquid Castile soap …

A thriving garden ecosystem is like a world in miniature. Right under our noses, there’s a constant struggle for survival going on. Between battles for food and territory, mating rituals …

Ah yes, summer is finally here. And with it comes popsicles, sunscreen lotion, and the annual emergence of the one pest that sets every gardener on edge – the Japanese …

Pests are not as common a problem in indoor gardens as they are outdoors. However, that doesn’t mean they should be ignored either. There are several common indoor pests that …

Right up there with ants, wasps, and mosquitoes, house flies are one of the summer’s most annoying insect pests. (Although you really do need to learn to love wasps.) Getting …

Frog spit, snake spit or cuckoo spit. We all grew up seeing these blobs of ‘spit’ on plants in our backyard gardens or in the field we were playing in. …

Squash are some of the easiest vegetables to grow in your garden each year. Whether you love the light, tender taste of summer squash like zucchini or you prefer the …

If you’ve never had a carrot fresh from the garden, you really don’t know what you’re missing! The sweetness and crunch of a fresh carrot can’t be beat, and when …

Cabbage is a must-have vegetable in your home veggie patch. It’s a robust plant that is among the easiest foods to grow, rewarding you with crunchy goodness in as little …

Lurking in the dark and damp underbellies of the home, silverfish are six-legged scaly insects that only come out at night. Perhaps you’ve gone into your kitchen for a midnight …

No summer is complete without the sweet crunch of a cucumber. Whether they’re in salads or pickled for an easy snack, you can’t go wrong with these scrumptious veggies. They’re …

Out of all the pests that can plague a garden, aphids are just the worst. They don’t munch on the leaves or fruit but literally suck the life out of …

Neem oil should be in every organic gardener’s tool kit. It has a number of uses that make it a good thing always to have on hand. In this article, we’ll …