A rare tick-borne disease is on the rise in the northeastern United States, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases of babesiosis rose by 25% from 2011 to 2019, causing the CDC to add three states — Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire — to the list of those [...]
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“Jumping worms, a group of species originally from Asia, are invasive species that alter soil qualities and make it inhospitable for some plants and animals. They do this by consuming the upper organic layer of soil, which leaches nutrients and erodes the ground. This makes it hard for many plants (including garden plants) to grow [...]
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In the Fall of 2021, we saw an unprecedented outbreak of Army Worms.  The Northeast had not seen an outbreak for over 40 years.  Army Worms are not a pest usually seen in the Northeast.  We received confirmation from the entomologist from UMass Extension Turf Program, these were indeed Army worms.  The damage was seen [...]
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Emerald Ash Borer was first confirmed in Sudbury, MA in 2020. It looks like blonding from woodpeckers going after emerald ash borer larvae. Treatment, if caught early, can be treated by giving the affected tree extra water and fertilizer to help it recover from the damage, and with insecticides. Insecticide treatment should only be done [...]
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The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced that a small stand of trees was found to be infested in Shrewsbury, MA (Worcester County) with the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula; SLF) earlier in January by MDAR surveyors. This is the second detection of a population of this insect in Massachusetts, following confirmation of SLF [...]
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Chinch bugs are dark in color and have wings. They are almost microscopic in size, similar to the size of a sesame seed. The best way to tell in they are affecting your property is to look closely for movement in the lawn at the leading edge of the damaged area. Chinch bug damage often [...]
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These wasps, despite their intimidating appearance, are really quite docile. They can fly all around you and never attack. However, we wouldn’t suggest you sit on one or try to crush one with your hands because then they may sting. Especially the females because they are known to have stingers, but the males do not [...]
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Crane flies can best be identified as looking like large, oversized mosquitos. The species found most commonly in Massachusetts have two flights per year. The first adults usually appear in the beginning of May and the second in the first few weeks of September. Crane flies prefer wet conditions, so making sure your lawn does [...]
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Lawn grubs, often called white grubs, are the immature form of various types of scarab beetles, such as Japanese beetles, June “bugs” or the European/Northern/Masked chafers. The size of the grubs can vary on the species and the age of the larva. Residential lawns in the North East are subject to severe and extensive damage [...]
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