Adult Japanese Beetles are on the move in southwest Missouri and they have brought an appetite with them according to Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist, University of Missouri Extension.

These insects can quickly defoliate over 300 different types of ornamental landscape plants by eating the tissue between the veins of leaves and flowers, a type of feeding called skeletonizing.

Trees and shrubs most attractive to adults include:…[more]

A guide developed to help homeowners and contractors safely
clean up homes damaged in the recent floods along the Mississippi River is available immediately.
Creating a Healthy Home: A Field Guide for Clean-Up of Flooded Homes is a do-it-yourself
booklet that provides easy step-by-step instructions on how to handle mold removal in flooded
homes before starting to rebuild or renovate. The guide…[more]

For those wanting safer (although some are not entirely non-toxic) alternatives to commercial pesticides for ant control, Bob Schultheis, natural resources engineering specialist, has these recommendations.

SANITATION

“Keep things clean; don’t leave crumbs or garbage lying around,” said Schultheis.

VINEGAR

Wash countertops, cabinets and floor with equal parts vinegar and water to deter ant infestations.

FLOUR AND BORAX

…[more]

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - I can’t recall the number of times I’ve heard the statement, “If this old barn could talk, what a story it could tell.” The stories could involve unsolved mysteries or serve to enlighten us about the ambitions or broken dreams of the men and women who spent so much of their life beneath its roof.

In traveling rural America, barns of all shapes, sizes and…[more]

Is something bugging you? More importantly, with summer approaching, is something bugging your trees? If you don’t know, it’s time to find out - take a look around your yard because insects and disease can seriously harm trees and plants.

“Having trees at home can bring a touch of nature to any yard, but homeowners need to know that sometimes nature has to be protected from itself,” said…[more]

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Using compact fluorescent light bulbs is an easy and effective way to save on utility costs. “Using these bulbs can be very helpful to the family budget, but their use is not without risks,” said Marsha Alexander, University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) contain a small amount of mercury. The amount of mercury found in a typical…[more]

The gas vs. Charcoal debate has been going on for a long time, and will probably continue for a long time to come. Some grillmeisters prefer charcoal, and others swear by gas. Both types of grills have their advantages and disadvantages. If you’re undecided which grill to get, you should probably know the pros and cons of gas and charcoal.

Gas Grills:

Convenience is the one…[more]

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. - Many acres of Arkansas pastureland are infested with various bramble species such as blackberries, dewberries and raspberries.

“The presence of brambles is generally an indication of neglected pasture,” said Mark Keaton, Baxter County extension staff chair with the University of Arkansas. “It’s seldom found in well-managed grazing land, because it doesn’t have an opportunity to become established.”

Highbush blackberries (Rubus species) probably…[more]

Fermented or “sour” mulch from large batches hit with too much rain can damage the leaves and stems of annuals, perennials and small woody plants, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.

“The excessive rain across the state can cause large stockpiles of mulch to ferment,” said Chris Starbuck. “With the onset of warmer weather, the compounds produced by fermentation volatize quickly after the mulch is spread.”

Living outside of the hustle and bustle of America’s major cities certainly has its perks – no snarled traffic, less noise, less crime, clean air, clean water.

Right?

Most of the time these statements are true, but at an alarming rate rural homeowners are having trouble with their water supply. Many rural inhabitants are discovering that their once-pristine wells are now contaminated with bacteria. Interestingly, there…[more]