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Evergreen Tree or Shrub Problems
What is causing damage to the needles of my spruce tree?
What is causing damage to the needles of my spruce tree?
The two most common insects that attack spruce trees in Winnipeg are the spruce budworm and the yellow-headed spruce sawfly.
Spruce budworm larvae have black heads and greenish-brown bodies that are lighter on the sides. They usually have two rows of whitish spots along the back. They tend to be wasteful feeders. Instead of eating the whole needle, they bite off the needle at the base. The needles are left hanging in a mass of silk. Damaged trees have a characteristic, reddish-brown colour.
Yellow-headed spruce sawfly larvae have a yellowish or orange head with a light yellowish green body. The body has gray green stripes running lengthwise. Damage first occurs on new needle growth. As the larvae grow, they consume the older needles. They can completely strip trees. Damaged trees are ragged in appearance.
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Turf Grass Problems
What is causing yellow or brown patches in the lawn?
What is causing yellow or brown patches in the lawn?
In the Winnipeg area, we can often blame two turf pests, the sod webworm and the glassy cutworm. These insects cause yellow or brown patches in the lawn in mid to late summer.
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Garden Problems
How do I control slugs?
How do I control slugs?
Slugs cause considerable damage to gardens. Slugs feed at night. During the day they seek cool, dark and damp places. They prefer succulent fruit or leaves.
To control slugs
- Reduce overcrowding of garden plants so that air and sunlight can reach the ground to dry it out.
- Keep the soil on the drier side.
- Regularly remove decaying vegetation from the garden or surrounding area.
- Remove boards and bricks in contact with the ground.
- Bait slugs by laying a board down in the garden and collect slugs under the board during the day.
- Use bait products containing the insecticide metaldehyde
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Household Insect Problems
What are the annoying tiny flies I find in my home?
What are the annoying tiny flies I find in my home?
These tiny flies are most likely the fruit fly, sewer fly or fungus gnat. Each fly comes from a different problem area in your home. Call the Bugline at 311 (or 1-877-311-4WPG) for more information or bring a sample to 1539 Waverley Street during business hours.
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Insect Bites and Stings
How do I get rid of wasps?
How can I control mosquitoes?
How do I get rid of wasps?
For effective wasp control, use aerosol sprays containing propoxur, pyrethrin or rotenone. These are available at garden centres. Always be cautious when treating wasp nests since the wasps will attempt to defend the nest. Treat the nest when it is dark outside as most worker wasps are present in the nest at that time.
How can I control mosquitoes?
Anything that holds water for up to a week will develop mosquitoes. This includes old tires, birdbaths or rain barrels. Turn over or remove anything that holds water for a week or longer. To kill mosquito larvae in rain barrels, pour one to two capfuls of bleach into the barrel. This does not harm the plants when you water. Low-lying areas should also be filled in.
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Spiders
What are the big colourful spiders found around backyards and homes in the summer time?
What are the big colourful spiders found around backyards and homes in the summer time?
Shamrock spiders (Araneus trifolium), because of their size and colour, often triggers people’s curiosity. They can measure up to 20 millimetres in length. A shamrock spider’s abdomen may be pale green, or brown to gray, or even purplish red. The abdomen is also smooth and has light spots. Its legs are conspicuously marked with white bands. Shamrock spiders spin large orb webs and are not poisonous.
Jewel spiders (Araneus gemmoides) are another commonly seen spider. They are approximately the same size as the shamrock spider and are usually pale brown. The abdomen of the spider has two humps and markings that make it resemble a cat's face leading to its other common name, the cat faced spider. It too builds a large orb web and is not poisonous.
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Aphids
What are the small insects that group together and leave a sticky sugary substance on my plants, car or sidewalks?
How can I control aphids?
What are the small insects that group together and leave a sticky sugary substance on my plants, car or sidewalks?
These insects are aphids. They are commonly found on trees, shrubs and flowers. Aphids come in many different colours such as green, yellow, brown, pink or black and sizes. They are soft-bodied insects that suck the sap from the plant leaves or roots. Aphids excrete a sugary substance called honeydew on the leaves which overtime can cause sooty mold. In most cases aphids are found in the folded over part of leaves, known as a clutch. This is where the eggs and the next generation of new nymphs are present.
How can I control aphids?
You can control aphids on trees, shrubs and flowers by frequently hosing plants with high water pressure. Hosing your plants knocks most of these insects off and kills many of them. It may require several treatments to reduce the population.
If you have a severe aphid infestation, mix one to two tablespoons of pure dishwashing soap to one gallon of water. Spray this mixture in the early morning or late evening and rinse the plant thoroughly the next morning. Some plants may be sensitive to the soap and cause the leaves to have a chemical burn. Test on a small area first before treating the entire plant. Or you can purchase an Insecticidal Soap from home and garden centers.
We do not recommend using chemical insecticides for aphid control because the aphid population will rebound to the same level in about a week. Insecticides such as Malathion® or Sevin® can be used occasionally. Make sure to follow label directions.
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