Blog Treasure Chest

Japanese Beetles Control in New Jersey
Lawn

Insect Control in the Home Lawn

Lawn insects come in many shapes and sizes but basically, they either feed on the grass stems or the roots. Knowing who you are dealing with is critical in effective insect control. There are different products and different timings recommended for different insects.  There are both preventative and curative products currently available.

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flowers that are a natural pest repellent
Flowers

Natural Pest Control: Planting Flowers for a Chemical-Free Garden

Companion planting can add color, support pollinators and increase plant diversity in a vegetable or flower garden. Some strongly scented flowers and herbs may also make it more difficult for certain pests to locate nearby plants. Flowers should not be treated as a guaranteed replacement for pest monitoring or treatment. They work best as one part of a broader garden-care plan that includes healthy soil, proper watering, weed control, crop rotation and regular plant inspections. Here are several popular companion plants to consider and where they may fit within your garden.

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Close-up of a Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)
Pests

Spotted Lanternfly Update: What You Need To Know

Invasive species are a serious problem impacting rural and urban landscapes throughout the country. Whether it’s iguanas in South Florida or Japanese green crabs on Cape Cod, invasive species wreak havoc on local ecosystems. They can effectively compete with, crowd, out, or kill native species changing habitats forever. On the East Coast, the spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that is again making headlines. New Jersey and Pennsylvania have placed dozens of counties under agricultural quarantine due to infestation.  These invasive pests have also been spotted in Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, Virginia, Ohio, and as far west as Indiana.

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Battling Japanese Beetles: How to Get Rid of These Garden Pests

The average Japanese beetle lifespan is only about four to six weeks, but as any gardener supply store could tell you, that’s enough time for them to make meal out of your garden. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless against these pests. Peak season is underway, so let’s take a look at some pest control methods you can use when battling Japanese beetles!

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How to Protect Your Garden from Insects

You love the plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables growing in your garden. So do bugs. And while some insect varieties can be beneficial to your backyard plant life, a lot of them can cause some serious damage. Before you reach for the spray, New Jersey gardeners, consider these pest control tips to protect your garden from insects.

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100 Years of Japanese Beetles in New Jersey

Here’s an anniversary that’s not exactly worth celebrating: 2016 marks 100 years of Japanese beetles in New Jersey!  From the Reading Eagle newspaper, July 22, 1923: “Seven years ago, concealed in imported azalea roots, an unsuspected grub entered this country from Japan. The destination of the roots was Burlington County, New Jersey. They got there and the grub came with them. It burrowed in the ground and hatched the Japanese beetle that already has done much damage and threatens to do much more.” A century later, the Japanese beetle is still a major gardening headache. As the newspaper account put it, “whatever green thing that comes in its way is grist for its insatiable devouring mill.”

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Visit Your NJ Garden Center to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles

Ah, the Japanese beetle. Nasty little buggers, aren’t they? If you grew up in the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic, or just about anywhere along the East Coast of the United States, you probably still have early-summer memories of capturing dozens of the copper-and-green bugs in your backyard with slippery Japanese beetle traps. As an adult with a yard full of lovely foliage, though, or perhaps a backyard garden or a rose bush, these miniature Asian invaders aren’t quite as much fun. Read on for information on how to get rid of Japanese Beetles. Where Do Japanese Beetles Come From? The bugs are believed to have first escaped Japan and entered the U.S. in 1916. It’s thought that they stowed away in a

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three backyard chickens and their mother hen

Backyard Chickens: 101

Wondering how to raise chickens?  Well, just wing it! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out with your backyard farm, keeping chickens can be a rewarding experience.

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