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Pests – Page 3

Bugs & Insects to ID

Question from Mark: Here are some bugs/insects I have found in my orange and pomelo trees. Are they something to worry much about? Answer from Pat: The brown bug on the orange tree is a leaf-footed bug (Leptoglossus fulvicornis) similar to a conifer seed bug or box elder bug, which are also leaf-footed bugs. Most […]

Artichoke Plant and gophers

Question from Kerry: I had this beautiful artichoke plant that I found almost completely wilted tonight. I believe gophers have attacked the root of the plant. Can it be saved? Should I dig it up and try to revive it? I appreciate your help. Answer from Pat: Yes you can save it. Plant it in […]

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Question from Carol: Can you identify this insect for me Answer from Pat: The insect you found is a Western Conifer Seed Bug or WCSB (Leptoglossus occidentalis.) This is “true bug”, not a beetle and it is native to California as well as Oregon and Nevada. Here it is in balance in our environment but […]

Citrus Leafminers

Question from Sandy: A HUGE favor! It pains me to see the very newest leaves of our booming citrus trees, still curling w those leaf-miners, even after spraying. ANY suggestions you might send (or re-send!) would be so appreciated! Answer from Pat: It seems as if all the citrus trees I see these days have […]

Raccoons in the Vegetable Garden

Question from Deedee: I live in Palos Verdes where I haunt our local farmers’ market and wish I could grow my own organic crops. My dog seems to have shooed off the ground squirrels but can’t control raccoons which are not afraid of anything. They eat a wide range of vegetables, pull up drip lines, […]

Concentric Rings On Tomatoes

Gardening Question from Steve: My first year planting tomatoes I have concentric rings on a lot of my plants what do I do? Answer from Pat: I need more information before i can answer this question intelligently: Where are the concentric rings on your plants. On the leaves? Under leaves or on top of leaves? […]

Stop Cats from Leaving Calling Cards

Question from Derrick: There is a raised bed in my garden which smells like cat poop, but there are no cats….fenced off yard. Answer from Pat: Cats are undoubtedly climbing the fence at night and leaving their calling cards when you are not around. Raised beds are an invitation for this perfectly natural but unpleasant […]

Baby snails killing our Blue Star Creeper

Question from Roger: Pat, I don’t know if you are willing to help readers of your book but am hoping you do. We had a beautiful area of Blue Star growing on well drained soil among our natural stone patio. This spring the blue-star started to blossom beautifully. In the last month we’ve noticed the […]

Exotic Ladybeetle Found In Southern California

Question from Lee: Ladybugs, once the championed protectors of backyard gardens, are showing spots of a less flattering color, and their public image looks like it could be taking an even bigger turn for the worse. A new study has found that invasive Harlequin ladybugs crossbreeding with a species of flightless ladybugs are creating a […]

White Grubs

Question from Elin: How to get rid of organically besides digging out? Did last year, back again! Answer from Pat: White grubs are the larval form of various beetles and bugs, such as June Bugs, who lay their eggs in the ground. White grubs eat plant roots. However, my experience has been that they don’t […]