Home and Garden Information Center

Download a PDF version of the 2019 Annual Report

Phorid flies on sticky tape Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Their common name, humpbacked fly, reflects their humpbacked appearance . Adults are about 1/64 - 1/4" in size. There are several species of small black flies that may occasionally become pests in buildings...

Ornamental pink muhly grass (left) with switchgrass in the background. Photo: Mikaela Boley Key Points Understand the term “native” versus “ornamental.” Learn which size and type of native and ornamental grass varieties are appropriate for your garden. Learn which ornamental and native grasses have...

Indian meal moth Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Key Points Proper identification is the first step prior to managing any pest. In most circumstances, an infestation can be brought under control without hiring a pest control company. Proper id, sanitation, managing...

Meyer Lemon. Photo: Ria Malloy, University of Maryland Extension Key Points Citrus plants grow naturally in tropical and substropical regions of the world where they thrive with warm temperatures, high humidity, and sandy, slightly acidic soil. In Maryland, citrus plants need to be in containers...

Houseplant Problems Symptoms Possible Causes Control/Comments Plant wilting Overwatering or lack of water : overwatering can cause root rots. Healthy roots should be light-colored and firm. Use a well-drained, soilless potting media labeled for houseplants. Water should be able to drain from the...

Wolf Spider Photo: Lesley Ingram, Bugwood.org Key Points There are many families of spiders. Spiders are general predators , feeding on a wide range of prey (insects, other spiders, etc.). They are beneficial to people because they feed on harmful insects. Spiders are important in reducing the...

Privacy screen created with a variety of different plants. Photo: Ria Malloy Key Points Choose a variety of different plants for your privacy screen rather than many plants of a single kind. Screens with a variety of plants are more resilient to diseases, pests, and climate challenges. Prioritize...

Winter damage on cherry laurel Key Points Tree and shrub problems, to a large degree, are not due to diseases or insects. They are often referred to as abiotic (Latin word meaning “without life”) causes. It may take a long time for abiotic problems to cause symptoms or a problem and sometimes it...

Symptoms Details Possible Causes Leaf and Flower Spots Spots on leaves or flower bracts; 1/8 inch spots or smaller (spring) Spot Anthracnose (Elsinoe) Dark spots on leaves and flower bracts; blighted leaves; causes defoliation (spring) Dogwood Anthracnose (Discula) 1/4 inch angular spots on leaves...