Questions tagged [pests]

For questions about garden pests such as insects, birds and mammals.

In horticulture, the word "pests" is usually used for macroscopic animals, although smaller organisms (e.g. bacteria, fungi, viruses, nematodes) could be considered pests, as well as invasive plants (e.g. vines and parasitic plants).

Macroscopic animal pests are dominated by insects and mammals, although other arthropods, reptiles, and birds could all be pests.

All of these groups primarily contain beneficial or neutral organisms, so generally control methods should be limited and in the form of deterrents rather than chemical poisons.

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Green mould/mushrooms on houseplant soil

I recently took some cuttings from a friend, let them root in water, and then planted them. About a week later, suddenly there’s lot of green fungus/mould on the top of the soil! Any help identifying would be appreciated. Is it harmful to the…
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Help identifying species of vegetable garden pest

I am having trouble determining what type of pest has invaded my vegetable garden. It has started with the bok choy and is working its way toward the peppers and herbs. Please advise.
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Any disease or pest problems planting a Honey Locust?

My goal this spring is to plant a tree in the backyard. The Honey Locust or Gleditsia triacanthos inermis is native, planted in my area, somewhat pest free and would do the job nicely. When I mentioned this my arborist he said it was a poor choice…
kevinskio
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What is this pest on a weeping fig?

I recently noticed that my weeping fig isn't going well and many of its leaves have white traces and black dots on them. After inspecting the leaves for a while, I think I found the culprit. It is about 1 mm long, it moves extremely slowly, and it…
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Is this white root rot on my philodendron?

I got this plant from my mother, who had been keeping it in a pot that doesn't seem to drain. I was digging around to see if there was gravel at the bottom or if I'd need to repot, and discovered this mold. Not sure if it's white root rot or…
victoria
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Scale like matter and dark spots on Lipstick Petiole

I found this scale like matter on my leaves and i noticed they have been droopy lately. There is also tiny black things on almost every petiole.
Dina Magdy
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Please identify small black cones on avocado branch

One small branch of this five year old avocado tree is covered in black cones that resemble barnacle shells. Ants are clearly interested in them. What is going on here? Has something other than the ants colonized the tree?
Aaron Brick
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What's going on with my Green Buttonwood?

All the new growth is stunted. I was told it could be a thrip of some kind. Any help would be appreciated as I planted this to replace my Ficus.
ScapingBy
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Can Anyone Identify These Freaky British Annelids?

The first of these fast-moving worms is almost like a caterpiller in that it appears to have feet (if you look closely at the photo); however the second most definitely does not and is therefore more worm-like. Both of these creatures like damp…
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Are these whiteflies under my tomato plant's leaf?

For the last week or so, I have noticed several small yellow spots on the top of one of the leaves. Today, I looked under the leaf and noticed a bunch of very small, dark lumps, and a couple of small white flies. Afraid that they were eggs, I…
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Citrus treatment for scale bugs and whether fruit is edible

I have some citrus trees with scale bugs, they are kept as house plants and live outside during the warmer months. They've been sprayed (regrettably) with a pretty nasty pesticide. It's called Bug Clear Ultra and Acetamiprid is listed as being the…
Tally
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What is this on my lawn?

I saw a suspicious flock of birds all over my lawn today. I went over to inspect the areas they where pecking, and saw this: In the past it has been grubs, but seems 1. late in season and 2. doesn't look like grubs.
Marinaio
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Is too much sun better than full shade for Haworthias?

I recently had several scale-aphids attacks. It involves many of the shaded Haworthias. Systemic insecticides, soap-water blasting, removing and cleaning rotted roots and affected areas, weak bleach solution, fixing soil/drainage issues had no…
Christmas Snow
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Is it a Peace Lily and can I rescue this?

Bought two of these (Peace Lily?) for the bedrooms but this one is in trouble - what can I do to rescue it? Am thinking it has been overwatered by house sitter during my absence and seems also to have contracted a ‘pest’! Any help and advice greatly…
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what are these brown spots on my potato plant?

I have noticed brown spots on my potato plant but cannot figure out what it could be. Do you might have an idea?
Herrsocke
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