The Asian long-horned beetle, a species of beetles that originates from Asia, has made an appearance in Bedford, Massachusetts. The beetle was first sighted in the Massachusetts area back in 2008. However, despite this sighting, it is very rare for the beetle to be present in Massachusetts. It has been linked mostly to New York and the Chicago area. It is believed that the beetle made its way to America on a cargo shipment from China years ago. It was first spotted in New York in 1996. This isn’t the first time the beetle has been in Massachusetts before, it killed 18,000 trees in Worcester.
The beetle’s favorite type of tree is maple, however, it will go after hardwood trees including the birch and elm trees. The beetle is a huge threat to the nursery and development of these types of trees. Also, it can be a threat to ruin state forests, state parks and state trees. These beetles are usually seen from the late spring to the fall depending on what the weather is like. The problem with these beetles is that there is no chemical way to control these pests. They have very few natural predators in America, being indigenous to Asia. Officials are adamant that if you see this pest, to report it at once. Once they locate them, they will have to cut down all infected trees, chip them and burn them. This is a preventative way to stop the beetle. They are trying to prevent what happened in Worcester from happening in Bedford.
Well not really. As many of you may have heard, Florida is experiencing a cold front, which put temperatures into the 40’s. This has made it uncomfortable for many residents because they are used to the high 60’s. The chance of below freezing temperatures worries citrus growers. If the temperatures stay cold, the $6.5 billion dollar orange market could be wiped out for the season.
What else is happening because of the weather? Iguanas appear to be dropping dead out of trees! When the weather gets cold, Iguanas temporarily become paralyzed, and look frozen. The video below shows a 3 ½ year old girl going around her yard picking these Iguanas up and relocating them out of their yard. These reptiles feed off of many plants, especially in gardens. Check out the video below!
The state of Wyoming is getting on edge about a possible grasshopper outbreak this summer. Grasshoppers, in large numbers will eat the grass that is necessary for food for livestock.
“The Agriculture Department has $2.5 million in the governor’s recommended budget for emergency insect management. That money has been going to combat mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus.” – Hank Uhden Dept. of Agriculture
The department goes on to say that fighting Mosquitoes is more important because if the direct impact on human life, however they will allocate some of the funds to grasshopper control.
“There are more than 120 species in Wyoming, and 12 are harmful to crops and gardens, he said.” – Hank Uhden Dept. of Agriculture
It’s not uncommon to see multiple deer on a Sunday drive through town, especially in the wooded areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Deer are a huge nuisance to homeowners because they just love easting our most prized plants in our yards and gardens! We are honored to let you know that you do not have to worry about deer eating your plants and flowers any longer. JP McHale’s Deer Repellent program solves your problems.
Our Deer Repellent program is administered by our Tree and Turf Department, under the direct supervision of our Plant Pathologist, Doug McHale. Our technicians will first survey your property and discuss with you exactly where you see the deer, and they will formulate a custom plan for your property.
The products we use are conscious of both the environment and the deer. We will spray the repellent on all plants that deer will eat. When a deer walks over to start to eating your plant, they will immediately become uninterested because of the taste of the product on the plant. This taste is very similar to hot sauce on food (except no one likes the hot sauce). The deer will no longer feel the need to eat that plant, and look for other plants to feed off of…AKA your neighbor’s yard that didn’t get our service.
This service will only need to be done 1-3 times per season. Not only will this keep the deer from eating your plants, the deer will migrate away from your property, so you will not have to walk into deer waste in your yard any longer. This service is a popular one here at JP McHale and we encourage you to contact us so one of our inspectors can come and evaluate your property to get you started on this service as soon as possible.
Today we would like to announce the addition of the Western Conifer Seed Bug AKA The Stink Bug to our Pest Identification Center. The Western Conifer Seed Bug is an overwintering pest that is most active during the fall and spring months. Their behavior is very similar to ladybugs.
If you are interested in Western Conifer Seed Bug control please contact us!
1. Why should I aerate my lawn at this time of the year?
This is the optimum time to set your lawn up for success next spring. Aerating your lawnscape will relieve soil compaction and break down the barrier of thatch resting between soil and new grass seedlings. This exercise will make soil more receptive to water, and essential nutrients, simultaneously expanding root growth.
2. What is the most effective way to prevent wind burn or halt winter damage to my evergreen trees?
Applying an anti-dessicant application to your conifer trees will give the needles a healthy shine, while assisting your arbors in retaining important moisture levels. This environmentally sound, wax based product, seamlessly melts off in spring when your plants are ready to commence the growing season.
3. How do I best prepare my plants, arbors and shrubs for the blistering winter months ahead?
Winter temperatures and weather can wreak havoc on your arbors. Deep root fertilization aerates the soil and constructs a pathway of vitamins and nutrients directly to your arbor’s root system. Your trees and shrubs will retain these essential nutrients, in its root system, pulling from them when required, for early spring growth.
4. Describe the benefits associated with Lime applications to my lawn.
Weeds grow best in acidic soil while grass benefits from a neutral base. Lime neutralizes the soil ph and mitigates any adverse reactions to organic fertilizer applications. Neutral soil optimizes the effects of organic fertilizer. Making a long story short, healthy soil leads to healthy grass. Health grass combats weed development. You cannot get any greener than that!
5. I hear rodent activity spikes this time of the year. How do I protect my house from rodent activity?
As cooler months come upon us rodents will seek entry into warmer areas. It is important you examine potential avenues of entry around your house to exclude these commensal creatures. Openings around garage doors, pipe chasings and foundation cracks can provide access. Seal these openings! Establishing bird houses or feeding bread to birds within 25 feet of your home will attract rodent activity. Do not store bird feed, dry dog food or any other type of feed in bags. Transfer the contents of these products into plastic storage bins if kept under your sink or in basement areas.
Please contact us if you are interested in any of our services. We service New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
This post was written by Nathaniel over at Evans Pest Management, located in San Francisco. Thanks again, Nathaniel.
Wooly aphids are one of the more stubborn insects to infest trees. Some species feed on bark or roots causing cankers and burls to develop on tree limbs. On roots, nodular masses of gall tissues may form. The species that feed on foliage cause leaves of infested trees to curl, distort, and discolor. Many species secrete honeydew which results in blackish, sooty mold on foliage or pale waxy secretions which drip copiously onto everything beneath the canopy of the infested tree. (This can be very messy!)
Wooly aphids are most commonly a problem on apple, ash, oak, and elm trees.
These tiny insects (about a tenth of an inch in length) can be more easily identified by the damage they do than by their actual appearance.
If you notice that any of the above descriptions match what appears to be happening with your trees, call for professional help immediately. Homeowners without professional equipment can do little to control such stubborn pests. There are quite a few different products that a qualified pest management professional can apply, in season and at the necessary rates. When made correctly, these applications can control wooly aphids quite effectively, whereas, left unchecked, they may eventually kill a tree or entirely ruin its aesthetic value.
The front page of the Wall Street Journal today featured an article written by Gwendolyn Bounds about using natural pesticides to control pest activity around your home.
The use of natural products to control pests is not new. Garlic based sprays have been used for many years to control outdoor pests such as mosquitoes. The author of this, reported on the products she used to control pests on her property. Garden pests can cause a lot of damage to your plants, therefore controlling them is imperative.
Many companies that manufacture over the counter pest control products are trying to release new green products. There are a few problems with launching these new products, the most popular being consumer acceptance. Bounds’ makes a great point from the consumer’s view.
“…consumers say we want (natural products) and what we really want (dead bugs, now!).”
Another interesting side was that the side effects of pesticide to not even come close to the effects of Lyme disease and West Nile like virus.
“…pests can transmit illnesses such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease that can be more harmful than some potential side effects from pesticides. S.C. Johnson & Son Inc., for instance, launched a Raid “Earth Options” product in 2006, then discontinued it the next year due to low consumer acceptance.”
Spectrum Brands Inc. said that they released a mosquito repellent without DEET, and it did not sell well.
“Over the years, the EPA has banned some insecticides considered too risky from use in the home market, such as diazinon and chlorpyrifos. It also now maintains a list of active ingredients used in what it dubs “minimum risk” pesticides. “It’s a pretty good bet it’s a safe product if it’s on that list,” says John Kepner with Beyond Pesticides, a not-for-profit group based in Washington, D.C.”
In conjunction with all natural products, it should be known that some pests, such as ladybugs, can be used to control harmful pests such as aphids in your garden.
The author mentions in the article that she could not find an all-natural method to control carpenter ants.
JP McHale is constantly exploring new environmentally friendly products, also taking into account the effectiveness of them. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pesticide products, and the way they are applied. Please contact us so we can create a custom home pest prevention program to protect your family and home from pests.
The original Wall Street Journal article can be read here.
Thermal pest control? How about shooting hot air at 125 miles per hour at all the crops on a farm? This method of pest control proves to head shock fungi and improve the quality of the produce. This practice is widely used and one farmer says he has been using it on fruits, most specially grapes and cherries. Farming costs are reduced in the long run. He does not need any type of spray, and:
“the heat shock appears to improve the color, flavor, and storage capability of his cherries.”
-Florencio Lazo
The machine is gas powered and can only run about 3mph, it is pulled by a tractor. This heat treatment is done about every 15 days. This method of pest management is undergoing testing by universities to further understand how and why it works so well.
“Lazo believes that one of the greatest potential benefits is the opportunity to differentiate the product in the marketplace. Fruits are a commodity, but fruit grown with the Thermal Pest Control system can be certified chemical-free. “
The Asian long-horned beetle, a species of beetles that originates from Asia, has made an appearance in Bedford, Massachusetts. The beetle was first sighted in the Massachusetts area back in 2008. However, despite this sighting, it is very rare for the beetle to be present in Massachusetts. It has been linked mostly to New York and the Chicago area. It is believed that the beetle made its way to America on a cargo shipment from China years ago. It was first spotted in New York in 1996. This isn’t the first time the beetle has been in Massachusetts before, it killed 18,000 trees in Worcester.
Today we would like to announce the addition of the 
1. Why should I aerate my lawn at this time of the year?
5. I hear rodent activity spikes this time of the year. How do I protect my house from rodent activity?
The front page of the Wall Street Journal today featured an article written by Gwendolyn Bounds about using natural pesticides to control pest activity around your home.
“the heat shock appears to improve the color, flavor, and storage capability of his cherries.”