This document provides information about gardening and pest control. It includes tips on growing bigger plants and preventing common pests like ants. It also identifies common garden bugs and provides solutions to issues like yellow grass or holes in leaves. The magazine highlights new pest control products and systems and discusses how to determine the right treatment based on location and season.
1. home.
yard.
MY
Spring Buyers Guide 2013
MY
Inside this issue:
GARDENING TIPS
Want bigger produce and
blooms? We’ll tell you how!
KEEP PESTS OUT!
Rid your yard of ants and
other pests!
3. Key Terminology
Ornamentals
Plants used for
decorative purposes in
gardens or landscaping.
Think shrubs or
flowering trees.
Fungicide
To stop and prevent
disease including leaf
spots, rust, fruit rot
and mildew.
Broadcasting Bait
Sounds like a fishing
technique? Actually,
it’s the method of
applying bait across
your entire yard to
prevent and kill pests.
Fertilizer
The “good stuff”
(i.e. nutrients) added to soil
to take your grass or plants
from plain to pageant.
Pesticide
Used to prevent, repel or
kill any pest from harming
your plants or infesting
your home.
Contact vs.
Systemic Insecticide
Contact insecticides
control insects through
direct contact. Systemic
insecticides are absorbed
by the plant so that insects
ingest the insecticide
while feeding.
Edibles
Any homegrown plant
(like basil), fruit or
vegetable that can be
eaten. Lunch anyone?
Organic vs.Synthetic
Organic fertilizers are
derived from plants
or animals whereas
synthetics are man-
made substances.
› › ›
›
›
›
›
›
What
Say?
did you
Need to Know
04 | MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 | 05
Identifying the lawn and garden issue you’re
experiencing is the first step to easily eliminating
the problem and having a yard that neighbors envy.
Symptom Cure
If your flowers look a bit puny and lack the
radiance you’re after, we suggest an all-purpose
fertilizer. It takes the time and the guesswork
out of fertilization. On page 14, take a look at
our ultimate solution.
Yellow grass during peak “show season”
is most often caused by an iron deficiency.
Spread some Ironite®
granules to bring back
the green.
Pesky chewing insects are generally the culprit
if you begin to notice holes in your plant
leaves. Insecticides like GardenTech®
Sevin®
products can alleviate the issue and help you
get back to bragging about your plants.
Ant infestation peaks during the warm weather
months. Protect your home by applying an
ant bait, such as Amdro®
Ant Block®
Home
Perimeter Ant Bait.
If you’re noticing holes or even complete
removal of strips in your tree bark, it’s probably
due to insects boring into the trunk, stem
and other areas of the tree. Check out our
“Bug ID” on page 12 to determine the culprit.
Moss is commonly seen on lawns, roofs,
walkways and decks. Try spraying a herbicide,
such as Moss Out!®
For Lawns or Moss Out®
For Roofs, to get rid of the moss without
harming your lawns, plants or surfaces.
Withering
Plants
Yellow Grass
Holes in
Leaves
Ants
Ugly Tree
Bark
Moss
Symptom+ Cure
ver feel like you need
an encyclopedia to
understand the lingo
associated with creating
the perfect yard or ridding
your house of pests (we
mean insects, not your in-laws)?
Join the club! Before starting
your next project, let us solve the
mystery on a few key terms to help
you along the way:
E
4. zonesTake a look at these
plants and pest
facts based on high
impact zones around
the country:
high impact
MOSS
Because it thrives in damp, shady
areas, moss is a leading weed
problem in the Pacific Northwest;
however, it’s also picking up steam
in the Northeast. If left untreated,
moss can spread over your lawn and
structures, cause roof and foundation
damage, as well as crack driveways
and sidewalks.
FIRE ANTS
Imported and native fire ants impact
homeowners throughout the Southeast and
Southwest. To combat the spread of fire ant
colonies, homeowners should treat visible
fire ant mounds, as well as fire ants and
colonies beneath the ground. A mound can
house up to 200,000 ants.
SNAILS AND SLUGS
Snails and slugs are some of the worst
regional garden pests in New England,
the Mid-Atlantic and the Pacific Northwest.
A slug can eat as much as it weighs,
a little less than one ounce, in one night.
NUTSEDGE
Nutsedge, Dollarweed and Wild Onion
are rampant in the South and are hard
to control! Specialized herbicides can
kill these tough weeds and help you get
back to enjoying your lawn.
CRAZY ANTS
If you live in Texas, Louisiana or Florida,
you’ve probably seen crazy ants. These
pesky creatures tend to show up in droves
once temperatures reach and remain
above 65° F.
JAPANESE BEETLE
You can thank human migration and
prevailing winds for introducing the Japanese
beetle to the Midwest. These bugs do not
have discriminating taste; they will destroy
everything from ornamentals to edibles.
Snails & Slugs
Japanese Beetle
Fire Ants
FERTILIZING
When planting an herb garden this year,
consider using a natural organic fertilizer to
grow lush basil, thyme and mint. You’ll be
in good company as more than 18 million*
households grew their own herbs last year.
*2011 National Gardening Survey
06 | MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 | 07
Crazy Ants
Nutsedge
Crazy Ants
Fire Ants
Japanese Beetle
Nutsedge
Japanese Beetle
Snails & Slugs
Snails & Slugs
Moss
Moss
Need to Know
5. Innovation never seemed
so easily at hand.
FLEX
SOME
And the best thing, no manual mixing, measuring or cleaning is
required. The adjustable, battery-powered sprayer automatically
combines concentrate from the cartridge with water from the tank.
Since mixing doesn’t occur in the tank, the tank remains clean.
Getting started is as easy as 1-2-3.
1. Fill the reusable one gallon tank with clean water
2. Twist in the patent-pending cartridge
3. Spray to treat your target pest or weed*
To switch between projects, simply take out the cartridge, flush the
applicator for 10 seconds with water from the tank and twist in a
new cartridge. Snap the partially-used cartridge into the convenient
on-board storage. Two cartridges fit easily on the back of the one
gallon tank for convenience, portability and less clutter – so say
goodbye to garage shelves full of half-used bottles.
*Consult label for pests.
MUSCLEForget the protein bars and weight lifting. Novice do-it-yourselfers and
landscape-aficionados alike are getting a power-boost this year with the
new Amdro®
PowerFlex®
Pest & Weed System. This system is an all-in-one
tool that allows homeowners to reclaim their properties from both problem
insects and weeds.
The first-of-its-kind system ensures fast-acting and broad spectrum
control of the peskiest of pests, such as dandelions, invasive grasses,
cockroaches, and yes, even ants, among others. Four specially-formulated
concentrate cartridges* allow homeowners to tackle an array of projects,
both indoors and outdoors.
08 | MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 | 09
YARD POWER
6. man vs
antDuring spring and summer, the
#1 pest consumers treat for is ants.*
Before they have time to set up shop,
try these easy steps to protect your
home and yard all season long:
To address fire ant
mounds and eliminate
colonies in your yard,
use a broadcast granular
treatment, such as
GardenTech®
Over’n Out!®
granules, to make your
lawn fire ant free.
Use a perimeter bait
such as Amdro®
Ant Block®
Home Perimeter Ant Bait,
to create a barrier around
your home so ants won’t
come inside.
*Synovate Indoor Pest Control A&U Study 2011
Planting native plants
and keeping shrubs and
mulch away from your
house will prevent ant
infestation.
Place outdoor ant
bait stakes near cracks,
crevices or near other
areas around a home’s
perimeter where ants
may gain entry.
Seal any gaps or
entry points such as
window frames, cracks in
the foundation and cable
television lines running
into the home with caulk.
Appliances (ovens,
dishwashers, refrigerators)
that give off electrical heat
are ideal ant hiding places
in a home. Indoor ant bait
stations should be placed
hole-side-up under sinks
and behind appliances and
other areas inaccessible to
children and pets.
Target high-traffic
areas where ants are
most-often seen foraging
for food, such as along ant
trails and walkways, to
combat infestations.
4
6
2
5
3
1
1
3 4 5 6 7
2
7
10 | MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 | 11
BE A PEST DETECTIVE
7. BUG
I.D.
Ants
There are roughly 1,000
different ant species in the
U.S. ranging in color and size.
They generally appear during
the warmer seasons.
Japanese Beetle
With a shiny green-metallic
body, Japanese beetles cause
leaves to turn brown and
eventually die.
Chigger (Mite)
Are you near a heavily wooded
area or have a large amount of
shrubs? Look out for chiggers.
They bite!
Ticks
Ticks are most often found
in tall grasses and other
overgrown areas. To check for
ticks: slowly drag a one-square-
yard piece of white cloth across
the area. Drag cloth for 15
to 30 seconds then stop to
examine for ticks.
Armyworm
“Chewing” damage on grass
blades and young grass plants
appear ragged or chewed off at
the crown level when this pest
is at work.
Stink Bug
To determine if stink bugs
are present, in late May/early
June place a light-colored
cloth beneath plants you
suspect are infested and
shake vigorously.
Elm Bark Beetle
These beetles cause very small,
round holes in tree bark. In
severe cases, their pestering
can result in tree death in as
little as one year.
White Fly
The presence of holes chewed
into corn ears, tomatoes, bean
pods or other fruit appears
when this fly is at work.
Aphid
These small, soft bodied
insects cause yellowing and
curling of vegetable leaves and
stunt plant growth.They can be
green, yellow, black or red in
color depending on the species.
Spittle Bug
Ever see a foamy, frothy
substance that looks like spit
or spittle oozing over leaves
and in the crotches of stems?
It’s caused by spittle bugs and
they are mostly attracted to
your fruit-bearing plants.
Cockroach
Adult cockroaches range from
1/2” to 1” long with shield color
ranging from light brown to black.
Infestation is generally in the
winter when insects move inside
homes for warmth through any
openings available.
White Grubs
White Grubs harm your grass first
by causing yellowing followed
by brown spots. During extreme
infestation, small patches of
grass die out. If left untreated,
white grubs turn into Japanese
beetles. Yikes!
Bugs are everywhere!
Some are a nuisance in the home while others attack your
plants. Ever wonder what type of critter could be
causing those holes in your leaves or missing
tree bark? What exactly is that eight-legged
creature in the kitchen? Take a look at
this cheat sheet to help identify
common bugs that can be
easily eliminated from
your home.
MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 | 13
BE A PEST DETECTIVE
8. 16 | MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013
Introducing the new Pennington®
Smart Feed™
Sprayer System, a
revolutionary spin on an age-old-problem:
plant feeding. The specialty premium
fertilizers ensure efficient feeding,
proper nutrition and vigorous plant
growth. Meaning: bigger plants, vibrant
flowers and flavorful vegetables.
The four-way, adjustable sprayer
ensures a faster and more uniform
delivery of nutrients, while using less
water and providing more consistent
feeding – yielding better results with
bigger blooms and produce.*
Three convenient formulas are
customized for the unique needs
of various growing environments,
plant types and applications
(All-Purpose; Flowers & Blooms;
Tomato & Vegetable). The tablets
come pre-measured and ready-to-use.
By taking out the guesswork, feeding
becomes a no-brainer. So go ahead
and unlock the true potential of your
plants and landscape this season.
Unlock Your Plant’s
Full Potential
The easy-to-use system
requires no measuring,
pouring or mixing.
Just twist off the clear
sprayer canister
Load one or two water-
soluble fertilizer tablets
into the sprayer
And Spray
1
2
3
How do you get your plants to grow bigger,
bud faster and bloom longer?
MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 | 15
* vs. unfed plants.
LAWN GARDEN ENVY
9. What’s the first step to ensuring
healthy plants?
There are many factors that contribute
to healthy plants. First, you must
determine whether you have the right
foundation for growth by conducting
a soil test. A soil test evaluates the
condition and level of nutrients, namely
pH, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
levels. A soil’s pH level determines how
well plants will be able to draw the
nutrients they need. Because soil pH
levels tend to change over time, you
should test regularly. Soil tests are easy
to perform. You can either purchase a
home test kit, available at most lawn
and garden retailers, or have your soil
tested by a local county extension agent.
Results will help you determine whether
you need soil amendments or fertilizer.
Insects are damaging my indoor
and outdoor plants. Is there a
product I can use to protect
both plant types?
With any insect control product, it’s
always important to closely read and
follow the label instructions. The Sevin®
line is specially designed for outdoor
usage and should not be applied indoors,
on bedding or pets, or in vehicles. For
household plants, Sevin®
insecticides
can be used as long as plants are taken
outside. Once dried, the treated plants
can be brought back inside. They cover
a wide range of insects including ants,
caterpillars, Japanese beetles, white
grubs and other listed insects.
How does a slow-release
fertilizer work?
Once in soil, slow-release fertilizers
typically activate 7-10 days after
application and when soil temperature
reaches approximately 70º F. As soil
temperature and moisture changes, this
type of fertilizer releases different rates
of nutrients to mirror the potential growth
patterns and nutrient needs of the plant.
If my plants have turned from
green to yellow, what might be
occurring? Are my plants dying?
An easily recognizable symptom of iron
deficiency is that plants turn from green
to pale green or yellow. Chlorophyll is the
green pigment found in almost all plants,
and Iron is necessary for chlorophyll
formation. Use a mineral supplement,
such as Ironite®
granules, to ensure
plants receive the essential secondary
and micro-nutrients they need for fast-
acting, long-lasting “greening”.
There is something spongy
and furry on my plants. Is this
fungus? If so, how do I treat it
without harming my plants?
Yes, sounds like fungus. Fungus can be
easily eliminated by applying a ready-to-
use fungicide like GardenTech®
Daconil®
.
Simply spray and you’re done! Fungicides
also prevent a broad spectrum of plant
diseases and symptoms, including leaf
spots, rust, blights, fruit rot and mildew.
We’re often asked lawn and garden questions.
Here you’ll find a few to help you with
common issues:
MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 | 17
LAWN GARDEN ENVY
10. 18 | MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 MY HOME. MY YARD. SPRING 2013 | 19
Kills, stops and prevents a broad
spectrum of plant diseases
and symptoms, including leaf
spots, rust, blights, fruit rot
and mildew. Ideal for flowers,
vegetables, shrubs, and fruit
and shade trees.
New, all-in-one system
offers fast-acting and broad
spectrum control of a variety
of weeds and insects,
including invasive grasses,
dandelions, ants and more.
No mixing, measuring or
cleaning required.
Easy as 1-2-3:
Fill. Twist. Spray.
Four specially-formulated
concentrate cartridges*
available. For indoor and
outdoor use.
*Consult label for pests
*2,000 square foot 40’ x 50’ building
Creates a barrier around
a home’s perimeter so ants
don’t come inside. Worker
ants bring the bait back to
the mound, resulting in the
entire colony, including the
queen, being destroyed.
Highly attractive to
15 different ant species and
one bottle contains enough
bait to treat the average*
home up to six times.
A new system of specialty
premium fertilizers designed
for efficient feeding, proper
nutrition and vigorous
plant growth.
No measuring, pouring
or mixing required.
Just Twist. Load. Spray.
Fertilizer tablets come pre-
measured, ready-to-use and
customized to unique needs.
Three variations include:
All Purpose, Tomato
Vegetable, Flowers Blooms.
AMDRO®
Ant Block®
Home Perimeter Ant Bait
AMDRO®
PowerFlex®
Pest Weed System
Pennington®
Smart Feed™
Sprayer System
GardenTech®
Sevin®
Brand Insecticides
Corry’s®
Slug Snail Killer
Protects the hard work and
investment of gardeners from
marauding slugs and snails.
Features a new, highly-selective
formula so homeowners and
pets can enter the treated area
immediately after applied.
One broadcast granular
treatment results in six months
of control of fire ants.
GardenTech®
Over’n Out!®
Fire
Ant Killer
An easy and effective way
to control ants inside and
outside. Worker ants bring the
bait back to their colonies,
killing the queen. Always place
ant stakes and bait stations
in areas inaccessible to
children, pets and other
non-target animals.
AMDRO®
Kills Ants™
:
Ant Killing Bait Stakes
and Stations
GardenTech®
Daconil®
Brand Fungicides
Consists of highly effective,
natural organic alternatives
to synthetic fertilizers.
Nutrient rich fish and kelp
plant food enriches the soil
and enhances the strength
and vigor of plants.
Alaska®
Brand Fish
Kelp Fertilizers
Controls moss on lawns, roofs,
walkways, decks and structures
with easy-to-use liquid and
granular formulations designed
to treat the problem without
causing damage to plants
and surfaces.
MOSS OUT!®
Brand Herbicides
AMDRO®
Fire Ant Bait
Granules and AMDRO®
Yard Treatment
IMAGE®
Kills Nutsedge
Herbicide
This herbicide gives your lawn
the look you’ve always wanted
without the weeds. The post-
emergent, selective weed
killer can be used in Southern
Turfgrass and selected
ornamentals to eliminate hard
to kill weeds such as Nutsedge.
Mineral supplements help
plants develop strong roots
and lush, green growth. Plants
receive the essential secondary
and micro-nutrients needed
for fast-acting, long-lasting
“greening”. Available in liquid
and granule formulations.
IRONITE®
Mineral
Supplements
guide
SHOPPER’S
Use this insecticide to protect
edibles and ornamentals
from a wide variety of outdoor
insects, including ants,
caterpillars, Japanese beetles,
white grubs, ticks and other
listed insects.
Once you distribute a circle
of bait around the mound, it’s
only a matter of time before
the worker fire ants share
it with the queen. After the
queen eats it and dies, her
colony dies with her.