Tracy Hodge
Garden Guides Editorial Policies
Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
Stories By Tracy Hodge
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Bugs On Lupine
Bugs On Lupine. Lupine is a flower grown in many yards and gardens. This plant is susceptible to damaging insect infestations. Aphids and blister beetles are the two most common pests of lupine. These insects can damage the health and appearance of lupine. Heavy insect infestations usually respond best to a combination of cultural control methods and chemical insecticidal products.
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Spirea Diseases
Spirea Diseases. Spirea is also known by the scientific name Spiraea japonica and is a member of the Rosaceae family. This evergreen produces lovely pink blooms from May to July, especially when planted in full sun. Spirea is generally free from serious disease, but occasionally suffers from a few common plant problems.
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Do Pantry Bugs Like Sugar?
Do Pantry Bugs Like Sugar?. Many homeowners find bugs in their pantries and cupboards, infesting the foods they eat. A variety of pantry pests are attracted to processed foods that are high in sugar. Breakfast cereals, chocolate and sugary dried fruit are favorites of pantry bugs. Locating the source of the infestation and eliminating it is key to controlling pantry bug infestations.
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Bugs That Like Morning Glory Flowers
Bugs That Like Morning Glory Flowers. Morning glory flowers thrive in flower beds in full sun and are often used as a ground cover. These flowers are generally healthy and mostly free from damaging insects. However, two common pests can infest morning glory and damage its health and appearance. Both aphids and spider mites are sucking pests that can damage morning glory by feeding on its leaves.
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Swimming Pool Lighting Regulations
Swimming Pool Lighting Regulations. Many public swimming pools have lights for swimming at night. Swimming pools must meet certain standards regarding lighting and electrical wiring before permits are approved and given to the operators of the pools.
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Mushrooms That Grow In Bunches
Mushrooms That Grow in Bunches. Mushrooms are fungi used in recipes, beverages and medicinal preparations. This fungi often grows in clusters on wood and the forest floor. Certain clusters of mushrooms indicate fungal diseases in nearby trees, and some are considered edible delicacies. However, all mushrooms are not edible and can produce symptoms of poisoning. Proper identification is important when using wild mushrooms for food.
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Town Of Brookhaven Fence Requirements For A Swimming Pool
Town of Brookhaven Fence Requirements for a Swimming Pool. The rules and regulations of the town of Brookhaven, Connecticut state that homeowners must place a fence around an outside in-ground swimming pool, spa, hot tub or above-ground pool. Fencing requirements are designed to reduce drowning accidents.
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What Eats Pine Trees?
What Eats Pine Trees?. Pine trees are often found in home landscape designs and are often used as specimen trees. While pine trees are generally healthy, they are susceptible to infestations of insects that can damage the tree and its needles through feeding. Two common pests of pine trees are the European pine sawfly and the Southern pine beetle.
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Ventilation Requirements For Swimming Pool Chemical Storage
Ventilation Requirements for Swimming Pool Chemical Storage. Swimming pool chemicals are added to pools to reduce the growth of germs that can cause disease and protect against the growth of algae. Pool chemicals are dangerous substances, however, and should be stored in a well ventilated area.
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Ornamental Pepper Plants That Are Poisonous
Ornamental Pepper Plants That Are Poisonous. Ornamental pepper plants are members of the Solanaceous family, which includes vegetable plants such as potato, pepper and eggplant. While the fruit is the most commonly consumed portion of these plants, the green leaves on Solanaceous plants are toxic to animals and humans.
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Tiny Circular Worms In Outdoor Carpet
Tiny Circular Worms in Outdoor Carpet. Millipedes are worm-like animals that live outdoors and can be found coiled up in flower beds, on outdoor carpet and underneath leaf litter. Homeowners often find these creatures indoors, as well. Millipedes prefer to live outdoors, where moisture is abundant, and are primarily a nuisance for homeowners.
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Solutions For Maple Tree Mites
Solutions for Maple Tree Mites. Maple trees are an attractive addition to any landscape. There are a wide variety of maple trees to choose from, such as the Japanese lace leaf maple, the red maple and the silver maple. Maple trees are susceptible to infestations of pests such as spider mites, which affect the appearance and overall health of the tree.
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My Hibscus Leaves Are Turning Yellow & Curling Up
My Hibscus Leaves Are Turning Yellow & Curling Up. Hibiscuses are tropical shrubs best known for their bright, colorful blooms in shades of pink, red, yellow and orange. These shrubs thrive in warm climates and generally bloom all year. While hibiscuses are generally healthy, they are susceptible to infestations of aphids, which can cause yellow leaves that curl and twist.
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My Rubber Tree Plant Leaves Are Turning Brown & Droopy
My Rubber Tree Plant Leaves Are Turning Brown & Droopy. Rubber trees (Ficus elastica), also known as Indian rubberplants, are members of the Moraceae family. These trees often are used as specimen trees or as a screen. While rubber trees generally are free from damaging pests and diseases, they can turn brown and droop if not cared for properly.
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What Is Safe To Spray For Bugs In Food Cupboards?
What Is Safe to Spray for Bugs in Food Cupboards?. Pantry pests are a common problems in homes, grocery stores and restaurants. A variety of insects feed on dried fruit, grains, seeds, flour, sugar and meal in our cupboards and infestations are often difficult to control. While there are no safe insecticidal sprays for food cupboards, infestations of pantry pests can usually be managed with cultural control practices and sanitation methods.
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What Will Cause A Cedar Tree To Die?
What Will Cause a Cedar Tree to Die?. Cedar trees make lovely specimen trees and are often used as a wind screen. While cedar trees are generally hardy, they are susceptible to insect infestations and damaging disease that can cause them to die suddenly. Cedar trees injured or under drought stress are at an increased risk of insect infestations and disease development.
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Mites In Evergreen Shrubs
Mites in Evergreen Shrubs. Spider mites are common evergreen pests. One spider mite is particularly damaging to evergreen trees and shrubs. The spruce spider mite is often found on pines, juniper, arborvitae and cedar, causing damage to the evergreen plant while feeding on its leaves. Spider mites are often quite difficult to control when large populations are present.
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