Common Garden Pests

A lot of homeowners have a love-hate relationship with the insects in their garden. There are bugs that are great and beneficial for the garden since they defend plants against harmful pests, enhance soil quality, improve pollination, and much more.   

However, other pests can taint produce, stunt growth, and damage foliage. So, which insects are good for your garden and which ones are bad?  

Though the exact pests that invade any garden will differ on the season, weather patterns, plants, climate, and region, there are a couple of pests that are common and troublesome to homeowners in a lot of various regions. Today, we’re going to share with you some of the most common garden pests. If you’re having trouble with these pests, contact a professional garden landscaping Albuquerque company for help. 

Armyworms 

These greenish or brown larvae march throughout plants like an army. They skeletonize plants and chew through leaves. They will also gnaw into fruits. They’re typically active during the night. Luckily, you can control minor infestation with a simple hand-picking method. If more armyworms are present, you might require insecticides. 

Grasshoppers 

You can instantly recognize these leaping pests with their strong jaws, large heads, and long legs. Their jaws can defoliate the stems and leaves of a huge range of plants and crops. If you use row covers on young garden plants, you can discourage these pests.  

Other ideal control methods include rototilling in the spring or fall to destroy their eggs and allowing birds in the garden to eat the insects.  

Tomato Hornworms 

Tomato hornworms are big caterpillars. Typically, they’re difficult to detect due to their diagonal stripes and amazing green camouflage. However, you cannot miss the damage they can do to your garden. These pests can chew through fruit, stems, and leaves. The easiest way to get rid of them is to hand-pick them. You can also get rid of their larvae if you till the soil in early spring or late fall. You can also prevent hornworms with the help of ladybugs.  

Snails 

These shelled and slow-moving mollusks can do serious damage to your garden. Snails can chew on the foliage. They will also leave behind gross trails. However, hand-picking is a great method of control since they are slow. You can also allow birds to eat these snails.  

You can prevent snails from infesting your garden if you lower watering after dark. You should also try applying diatomaceous earth around your plants.  

Scales 

Scales look like white pale lumps that infest both outdoor and indoor plants. They usually suck the plant’s sap. Because of this, it stunts the growth of your plant and causes wilting. If the infestation is severe, it can kill the plant.  

If you want to prevent this type of infestation, make sure you’ve got praying mantises and ladybugs in your garden.  

Aphids 

Aphids are pear-shaped, pale green, and small bugs that appear in big groups. They suck the plant’s sap. This can lead to slow growth and wilting. If you’ve got a severe aphid infestation, you might have to hire a professional to get rid of them.  

Signs That You Have to Remove a Tree

For a lot of people, the trees in their properties have been around for a long time. Some of them might have planted and tended the trees from the start and are now big. Either way, it is known that a lot of homeowners form unique bonds with their trees and do not want to consider having them removed.

Aside from the sentimental problem, getting rid of a tree is a hassle. It can be extremely overwhelming to consider a tree removal service.

Naturally, trees have a life cycle and face a lot of threats that can compromise their stability and health. A lot of services are designed to maintain trees, such as tree pruning and tree trimming Greeley. However, there are still occasions where getting rid of a tree is inevitable. Today, we’re going to share some indications that you have to remove a tree.

The Tree is Close to Another Structure

People love their long-standing and large trees. However, the consequences can be serious if they’re getting a bit too close to another structure. Nothing will damage the relationship with a neighbor faster than having a huge branch of tree fall on their roof and causing damage. If this occurs, you won’t only find yourself spending a lot of money on repairs, you will also have to spend money to get rid of the tree.

Hollow Tree Trunk

It can be fascinating to look inside a hollow tree trunk, especially when you were a kid. While it is indeed magical, having a hollow tree trunk can affect the tree’s structural integrity. It might be time for tree removal if you notice a hollow tree trunk.

The Tree is Leaning

It can indicate serious structural issues that you have to tackle if you notice that the tree is leaning to one side. You should immediately contact a professional tree service company if you notice this problem. This is particularly true if the tree is leaning next to your property.

The Tree is a Runt

There are a lot of reasons why a particular tree does not appear as healthy as the other trees surrounding it. You have to take action if the tree is displaying thin leaf cover or discolored foliage or if it has stopped growing. There might still be ways to save it. However, only a professional arborist will be able to help you.

You See Huge Dead Branches in the Tree Crown

This can present a severe risk to the safety of a person near the tree. It’s only a matter of time before a branch falls if dead branches start to gather in the tree crown. This is particularly true if you’re living in a region with a windy climate. This is a threat you cannot afford. Hire a professional right away.

The Tree is Infected

Trees are prone to infections that can severely damage their structural integrity and health. A tree might be infected if you notice that the wood is soft or if there are deep cracks or splits in the bark. Call an arborist right away.

DIY Tips on How to Repair Patch Damages Without Spending Too Much Money

Concrete is basically one of the most frequently used materials for both residential and commercial construction. Over the years, however, concrete can now sustain chips and cracks that will affect its appearance and safety. In these situations, you can actually make use of the few do-it-yourself tips for repairing concrete. Take note that these are just temporary solutions and there is still no alternate to professionally repair of concrete. 

For Small Cracks 

Cracks that are small are easy to repair. It is highly suggested to correct small damages before it turns into a bigger issue. The following are some of the quick tips which you can use for the repair of your concrete surface: 

1. First, brush off dust or any debris which come from the cracked or chipped concrete. Use the broom and brush, and make sure that it is clean. Do not wash the surface with water because the professionals will apply a filler.
2. When clean, you may now fill the small cracks or chips with the use of the masonry crack filler. Then, you can buy one which is in the cartridge so that you may apply it with the use of a caulk gun.

Also, you have the choice to use the vinyl concrete patching compound in order to fill in the damages. It does not need a bonding agent. However, you only have to smooth it all out using your knife.  

For Larger Cracks 

Knowing how to fix concrete cracks is not particularly same when it comes to larger damages or problems. 

1. Undercut the crack with the use of a sledgehammer and a chisel. You should ensure that the base will be wider compared to the surface.
2. Brush away dust and any debris just like what you did with small cracks. You will have to wash the site with clean water.
3. Then, you should apply patching compound and use your trowel in order to spread it all over the cracks. Gently ta the patch to release the air pockets inside. Make sure you use the bonding agent first for those who use a patching mortar so the filler will adhere to the concrete.
4. Smoothen the patch. Allow it to dry naturally.

When Should You Call and Hire a Professional and Reliable Concrete Repair Service Provider? 

If you are not a professional or even a handyman, or you do not have enough time for do-it-yourself repairs, you always have the option to call for professional assistance. Beyond DIY repairs, a professional concrete repair service will use the appropriate skills and equipment so the solutions will be long-lasting. You can also count on the guarantees of the professional repairs. If any issues come up, you may call the service provider to have your concrete checked. 

Therefore, DIY concrete repair is a very easy task to do especially on small damages but when big problems happen, you have to tap the professional and reliable concrete repair service providers such as concrete sealing Kingston to handle the task on your behalf.