When should the feeders for Hummingbirds and Goldfinches be set out. Hummingbirds are active in Parker County from about April through September. These dates are not set in stone. Weather and other factors will affect the migration to our area to some degree....
Moles in the Landscape
Moles in the Landscape Friend or Foe? Although there are other species, the most common mole in our Parker County sandy soil landscape is the Eastern Mole, a relatively small but robust, short brown-furred mammal that can tunnel in the right soil conditions at speeds...
Kissing Bug and Chagas Disease Info
What do I need to know about the Kissing Bug and Chagas Disease? The Kissing Bug has got lots of press in the past few months. The actual insect, genius Triatoma has been reported to have been located in Parker County. However, there are 38,000 varieties of...
Keeping Rabbits Out
I live in a community that continues to develop (with new home construction) and we have rabbits all over the area. My specific problem is that a few rabbits have found a couple of areas in my yard where they sit or rest. Not necessarily nesting, because it’s an open...
Gnats in my Houseplants, Help!
I have two containers of ivy and assortments that have gnats in them. What's the cause? I'm thinking that watering is probably the problem. What should we do? I've now got the plants on the patio and I'm hesitant to bring them in the house because I don't want any...
Fire Ants ~ How to Get Rid of Them!
Fire Ants are a real problem in lawns, around homes, and in pastures. Texas A&M Extension service has developed a Two - Step Method of Fire Ant Management. Below is the text from that report and links to the report itself. From experience I can say this...
Deer Resistant Plants
There seems to be an unending number of deer that come right up to the house and are seemingly fearless. I have a beautiful garden of perennials that I have spent years cultivating. Should I just leave them and forget having a lovely flower garden given the deer...
Deer Eating My Plants and Trees!
Deer are eating my Crape Mytles and other plants! Deer have basically three types of vegetation that they eat. The first is their food of choice.. grasses, briers, and other young growth that is tasty to them. Second is the rough stuff. Not as good as someone's grass...
Cockroaches Under Our Deck
We have an outside deck with many cockroaches under it. What can we use to get rid of them? American Cockroach -Periplaneta americana This is generally the cockroach that people in our area see running around at night and sometimes in the daylight if...
Cicada Killer Wasp
From late June to early October cicada killers, Sphecius speciosus can be seen buzzing around your home. This insect has the menacing appearance of a large hornet, but is really quite harmless. The female can administer a mild sting if handled roughly or step on with...