Questions tagged [insects]

Six-legged arthropods

Arguably the most successful group of animals to have existed, and they will significantly out number all other groups of animal in your garden. Most insects are benign, although some (eg. aphids, and hornworm larvae) can be pests. Similarly, many are encouraged as predators to eat those that are considered pests (e.g. Ladybugs and lacewings).

Insects typically have six legs, although larvae are an obvious exception. Similarly, most are capable of flight although not necessarily in all stages of growth.

Use this tag for questions about insects in the garden or landscape. For an unknown insect, also add the tag and include a photo. For questions about controlling insects, add the tag.

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What are these hard white/brown spots growing on my houseplant?

A little more then an year ago I got six palm trees (two vases). It was the Californian equivalent of an Areca palm (the guy in the nursery suggested this one after I asked for an Areca for its air cleaning prowess but now I can't recall the exact…
gcb
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How do I get rid of white flies on my basil?

I've recently noticed that my basil and other herb plants are infested by tiny white flies. They spread out like snow-flakes when I spray the plants with water, and there are scary looking number of what appear to be the eggs of those flies on the…
Kei
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Ant colony in my compost bin: are they beneficial?

I've got a smallish black plastic compost bin in my garden and I recently noticed that an ant colony has taken up residence. This has happened a couple of times in the past, but they tend to move on when I turn the compost (not surprising, given I'm…
Mal Ross
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What plants will keep ladybugs happy?

What plants/grasses can I plant to entice the ladybugs in my garden to stay? They are great for controlling aphids, but seem to move on pretty quickly.
kmm
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Insect infestation on my pepper plant, what do I do?

I have spotted that one - and only one - of my peppers plants has a number of small black flies of some type hanging around the soil. And while writing this I've just spotted that one (and only one!) of the leaves has what I guess might be aphids on…
DMA57361
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How to get rid of insects on basil while leaving the leaves safe to eat?

With reference to this question: Insect infestation on my pepper plant, what do I do? I have these insects in my indoor "kitchen window sill" basil and they do seem to be chewing it fast enough to slow new growth, which is annoying. The first…
Lisa
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tomato plant rotting from the inside -- what's going on?

I have a hydroponic garden in a greenhouse in my yard. Everything was going just great until today when I noticed that one of the 7 or so tomato plants (the biggest one in fact) was looking rather wilted. Upon further examination I noticed some…
statichippo
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What are these red cocoons in my trees leaves?

The tree In my garden as lots of red cocoons on its leaves, I assume these are insects, do I need to be concerned or are they harmless?
Dan
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My indoor plant has an orange mold-like substance growing on it and has tiny white bugs. How can I remove it?

I have my very first plant in my cube and it seems to be doing just fine. However, there is an orange mold-like substance growing on the top of the soil, and I can see a few tiny white bugs crawling around in the soil. Did I do something wrong? …
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How can I kill or remove insects from cut flowers that I bring inside?

When I cut flowers (typically daylilies) from my garden and bring them inside, I often find I am treated to a barrage of flies over the next few days. I'm going to guess that there are maggot larvae within the flowers, which matures inside my…
glenviewjeff
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Are these bright orange bugs with beady black eyes ladybugs?

I have a few bugs on my pumpkin plant that seem to be eating the leaves. They are shaped like ladybugs but the color isn't red and black. It's more of a shiny bright orange. Since ladybugs are good for controlling aphids and pests, I want to keep…
Spinor8
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What is the best way to grow vegetables without using chemical insecticide?

I am looking for tips and recommendations because I do not want to use any pesticides. I am in Jamaica where insects are a big problem. I am using a combination of dish soap and hot pepper. Any suggestions as what to mix with the soap? I have a…
Gardening Directions
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Ants on trees - ok or bad?

I have two trees that experience significant traffic of ants up and down? Crataegus 'Pauls's Scarlet' - An established mid-age tree. Ants go up to the top of the tree, can't see what they are looking for. No visible damage or decease of the…
Alex Alex
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Is it a good idea and how to introduce frogs in my garden?

I am trying to sustainably get a grip on the flies, mosquitoes and other such insects' population. We live in the San Francisco Bay Area. We have a decent sized backyard (about 3000 sq ft of garden/landscape space). We have a bird feeder and a…
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My basil is "rotting", here's all the clues I have gathered

This is my third try in having a basil that lives more than a month and I've been rather successful with my last try. But now, for some unknown reason to me, it's dying. Here are many pictures of what I have gathered and my comments to help you…
Gil Sand
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