Animal -- Repellents
The only sure-fire animal repellent is fencing high enough to prevent jumping over and crawling under. Commercial sprays are available at veterinarians and pet supply stores that claim repellent qualities if used daily. Home Improvement Topics ... [... more]
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Pests Bagworms
Bagworms feed mainly on evergreens, though they can be found on many deciduous trees and shrubs, forming a "pine cone-like" cocoon to live in. Bagworms overwinter as eggs in old "bags" that hang on trees, and hatch in June. New [... more]
Old House Web |
Beer -- Slug Control
Beer baits aren't as effective as many are led to believe. Saucers or containers of beer are buried at ground level. Slugs are attracted to the yeast smell and drown, with a smile on their faces. However, the slug population is usually so large ... [... more]
Old House Web |
Bacillus Thuringiensis
Bacillus thuringiensis, commonly sold as B.t., is a bacteria from which a toxin is manufactured that has insecticidal properties against vareious insects. Compounds sold as B.t. contain the manufactured toxin and not the bacteria. Several strains ... [... more]
Old House Web |
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
Eastern tent caterpillars spin webs on various ornamental and flowering trees during April, May and early June. Caterpillars are bluish-black with a white stripe down the middle of their back with two yellowish-red lines on either side and feed ... [... more]
Old House Web |
Fall Webworms
Fall webworms spin webs on various ornamental and flowering trees during late July through October. Caterpillars are greenish yellow with lots of hair and black dots and feed on leaves. As feeding continues, the silken web enlarges to cover the ... [... more]
Old House Web |
Gypsy Moth -- Control
A single defoliation seldom kills a hardwood tree. Loss of one-half of the tree's foliage results in little more than a reduction in growth. However, when most of the foliage is lost, the tree doesn't have the ability to produce growth. Stored ... [... more]
Old House Web |
Gypsy Moth -- Identification
Only the larval or caterpillar stage does damage. One two-inch caterpillar will eat one square foot of foliage every 24 hours. Seldom, though, do you find just one caterpillar; usually they occur in colonies over a million. Gypsy moth eggs hatch ... [... more]
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Locust -- Insects
Locust are NOT found in the United States, but in the Middle East and Africa. Commonly assumed to be locust are cicadas. Cicadas are commonly found in trees during the summer, shedding their skins occasionally, and creating, what some people ... [... more]
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Mealy Bugs
Mealy bugs are houseplant insects that produce a white cottony mass around their body. Damage occurs due to the sucking action of the insect, distorting the new tissue and leaves. A sticky sap-like substance may be found on leaves and ... [... more]
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Moth Balls
Moth balls or naphthalene flakes are used to repel animals such as rabbits, dogs, cats, moles, chipmunks, and squirrels, though the effectiveness is somewhat questionable. Moth balls and flakes dissolve quickly in water or rain. Home Improvement ... [... more]
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Mouse -- Control
Field mice will attack trees and shrubs during the winter, using the wood as a food source. Fruit trees are frequently damaged. To prevent mice damage, encircle the trunk of the tree with chicken wire fencing at least three feet high. Leave an ... [... more]
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