Protecting Your Landscape From Destructive Insects (NAPS)—There are more than 91,000 species of insects in the United States Many are beneficial Ladybugs, for example, have an enormous appetite for aphids— one of the most common plant pests Lacewing larvae feed on aphids, thrips, scales, moth eggs, small caterpillars and mites “But many insects can cause serious damage to your landscape,” says Bayer Advanced garden expert Lance Walheim, coauthor of “Landscaping for Dummies” “The pests can attack your trees, shrubs, flowers and lawn and cost you lots of money if left unchecked” The Emerald Ash Borer is smaller than a dime, but it has killed tens of millions of ash trees in Michigan and in several other states The hemlock woolly adelgid has spread throughout the Eastern US, killing Eastern and Carolina hemlocks The Asian long-horned beetle was discovered in Brooklyn, New York, in 1996 but has now been reported in Worcester, Massachusetts The pest prefers maples, but infestations have also been discovered in horse chestnuts, poplars, willows, elms, mulberries and black locusts According to the most recent study by the US Department of Agriculture, Japanese beetles cause more than $420 million in damage annually to trees, plants, flowers and vegetables Armyworms cause arcs or circles of dead, brown grass Mole crickets cause thinning or torn-up grass that dries up or turns brown Grubs eat grass roots, too Symptomsinclude brown patches, Proper careis the keyto prevent- ing damagefrom insects and in extreme cases, you can lift up yourgrass like a blanket Proper care is the key to preventing damage from insects: Deep watering: All trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns require deep watering to promote deep roots that ensure healthy growth Allow soil to partially dry between waterings Insect protection: Bayer Advanced” (bayeradvancedcom) offers a numberof different products that will protect your trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns from damaging insects Some of the products even include fertilizer and/or disease protection Always read and follow label directions Regular fertilization: Nothing will grow without proper nutrition, and fertilizers provide the necessary nutrients to keep all elements of your landscape healthy Taking a more proactive ap- proach to your landscape will make a big difference It’s a little like establishing a wellness pro- gram Preventing problemsis far better for your landscape and your wallet
