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Lawn Grubs have landed
Bay Area lawns get their first influx of lawn grubs in May and June, with damage showing up in July and August. Beneficial nematodes can help! Nematodes are microscopic worms that seek out and destroy over 200 kinds of soil-dwelling insects, including young lawn grubs. We carry beneficial nematodes in all our stores. See what lawn grubs look like.
Look for Larvae; they Eat Aphids
Did you know that the larvae of beneficial insects look a whole lot like pests? Learn to recognize and protect garden allies like syrphid fly larvae and ladybug larvae from egg through to adulthood. These helpful garden insects love to devour aphids and other soft-bodied insect pests.
Spittle Bugs?!?
Have you seen the globs of foam on some perennials, grasses and leafy shrubs that resembles, well, spit? Spittle bugs are the nymphs of an insect related to leafhoppers known as frog hoppers. The nymphs secrete the froth to protect themselves and feed by sucking a plant's juices. Damage to the host plant is usually negligible and the use of sprays is not warranted. Hosing off affected plants with water is all that's needed to control them. It takes about 5 weeks for the nymphs to become adults at which time, the “spit” will disappear. See what spittle bugs look like.
Our stores have red worms, praying mantids, and ladybugs galore this year.
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