Warm days start stretching longer, flowers push green shoots through soil, and excitement builds about fresh tomatoes, roses, or herbs growing near the porch. Then something else wakes up too. Tiny ...

Bats flying around your home at night may signal a healthy ecosystem. These nocturnal mammals help control insects, pollinate ...

A successful garden does not need a chemical arsenal to stay protected. The right plants can stand guard, release powerful scents, and send many common pests searching for an easier target. Instead of ...

Thrips are tiny (around 1/20 inch long) slender insects that cause mostly cosmetic damage to leaves, fruit, and flowers.

I will bet everyone would love to receive a little free pest control in their yard. One way to achieve this would be to grow plants that provide food for beneficial insects. Beneficial insects can be ...

Ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects feed on plant pests and naturally make gardens more pest-resistant. But like pollinators, these “good bugs" also feed on nectar and pollen, and ...

July and August in the vegetable garden typically bring bountiful harvests of colorful vegetables. These are also the months when insect pests can really make their presence known, with plant and ...

Gardeners can protect their plants from common pests like aphids, whiteflies, and caterpillars using natural methods. Instead of harsh chemicals, opt for water sprays, neem oil, and encouraging ...

Support local journalism: Find offers for new subscribers here: Special Offers — FLORIDA TODAY. Want to read our e-Edition? Here are some tips for getting the best experience. I’m going to bet that ...

Rosemary is a herbaceous shrub many people grow for cooking. But it actually has many more uses in the garden, especially when grown with the right companions.