Incorporate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices into your gardening and yard care. Start by planting plant cultivars that are resistant to disease. Remove pests first by hand picking or spraying with water or horticultural soap. When necessary, use pesticides that are the least toxic to fish, wildlife and humans. Minimize chemical drift by using low pressure sprays that produce large droplets. Always follow the directions on the label.

If your compost pile isn’t heating up, mix in green matter and manure to aid decomposition. Make sure to keep the pile moist, but not soggy, like a squeezed out sponge.

Climbing roses don’t actually “climb”—they have long canes that require support. Roses produce more flowers on horizontal canes, opposed to those that grow vertically. As you loosely tie the canes to a trellis or arbor, guide them back and forth across the trellis to promote blooms.

Reduce the insect problem on your deck or patio at night by using red or yellow light bulbs. Insects are not as attracted to these colors as they are to white lights.

The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.

Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.

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This page updated:  July 3, 2006