Things We've Learned From Bugs in 50 Years Fifty years of working with beneficial insects has taught us a few things about garden pests, nature's remarkable problem-solvers, and why the good guys deserve a little more credit. In 1976, the idea of releasing bugs into your garden to get rid of other bugs raised a few eyebrows. After all, weren't bugs the problem? Not necessarily.
The Most Interesting Thing in Your Garden Might Be Underground: Why Beneficial Nematodes Are the Ultimate Step in Garden Prep When gardeners think about preparing for a successful season, they usually focus on what they can see. Fresh soil. New plants. Mulch. Fertilizer. Water. All important steps. But some of the most important work happens where you'll never see it—beneath the surface. Healthy gardens begin
Why Ladybugs Are the Best Thing You Can Add to Your Garden This Spring Spring is when everything in your garden begins again. Plants start to grow. Soil comes back to life. And—whether you notice it or not—so do the pests that can damage your plants before the season even gets underway. Most solutions try to stop that cycle. There’s another approach: work
Beneficial Nematodes: Natural Grub & Japanese Beetle Control for Fall When it comes to protecting your garden and lawn, few pests are as destructive as grubs—the larval stage of beetles like Japanese beetles, June beetles, and chafer beetles. These soil-dwelling larvae feed on tender plant roots, turning lush lawns into patchy brown carpets and leaving plants vulnerable to decline. But there’s good news: you
A Love Affair in the Garden: Beneficial Insects and Pollinators Working Together In the world of gardening, few things are as enchanting as the silent choreography between beneficial insects and pollinators. Beyond their shared role in sustaining plant life, science reveals an invisible yet powerful connection—one driven by electric charge. As a bee flits from flower to flower, it gathers a positive
FIRE ANTS — THE HOLY GRAIL OF TREATMENTS PART 2 ...Unexpected — and Wonderful — Consequences Marlis had struggled for years with fire ants. How could she control these aggressive, persistent, painfully-biting ants without using toxic chemicals in the garden and yard, where her children and pets roamed and played? Acting on a recommendation from a friend, she discovered the natural, highly
FIRE ANTS — THE HOLY GRAIL OF TREATMENTS PART 1 Marlis, an experienced gardening enthusiast, relocated from Southern California to Texas about twenty years ago. She was excited to have a larger space to plant the garden of her dreams. Today, gorgeous trellises support her climbing tomatoes and cucumbers. The spacious green lawn stretches from the house to the Texas hills, providing
Why Use Beneficial Insects? Everyone is familiar with the term “survival of the fittest”. The history of pest control illustrates this concept. As chemical usage grew among commercial farmers and home gardeners, pests kept pace and did their best to resist harsh pesticides. While we may have succeeded in killing most of the bad bugs, the small percent that did survive passed their resilience
There's a New Sheriff in Town Perhaps the most common question we receive in Garden Centers around the country about Beneficial Nematodes is, “Does it work on …..?” YES! As in all of nature, the bug world contains both predators and prey. As gardeners, we tend to think of bugs as bad guys or good guys. There are the bugs that eat the fruits of
Save the Insects; Save the Planet You may have heard of an “insect apocalypse”. News stories sometimes refer to it as “insectageddon”. While it may be a relief for us to go outside and not have to deal with clouds of insects spoiling our picnics, the truth is that having fewer bugs is simply NOT good for the planet. Oliver Milman, an environmental journalist,
The Miraculous Ladybug Ladybugs. Ladybirds. Lady beetles. Many names and many legends have been attributed to these charming creatures. We like to think of them as the “gateway bug” to biodiversity in your garden or yard. Click here to watch our founder as he extols the virtues of the humble ladybug. Let’s look at the A-B-C’s of ladybugs to learn more about these charming
A “Hot Topic”: Red Fire Ants! At the beginning of this year, Julie, a consultant for Organic Control, Inc., moved from Southern California to the Southeast. About a month ago, she noticed strange new mounds in her backyard that seemed to have appeared overnight. With a little research, she discovered the source of the mounds: the Red Imported Fire Ant. Known as RFAs or RIFA
Whether you’re digging in for the first time (see what we did there?) or you’re a long-time gardener, let us show you how to start a garden that will have your neighbors peeking over your fence to ask what you’ve been up to! Here are some tips to ensure success: Soil prep is key. It is impossible to overstate the importance of healthy soil.
Give your rose bushes a natural and organic hug in the form of a winter blanket! Here we are in February! Many yards and gardens appear to be sleeping in the cold winter air. What can be done for those shivering bare sticks that used to be covered in lush leaves and blooming roses? While gardening may not be the first thing that comes to
Darwin was writing about the humble but mighty earthworm. CASTINGS — A MAGIC SPELL FOR SOIL HEALTH Earthworm castings (a fancy word for worm poop) can best be described as Mother Nature’s super-food; they energize your plants and provide a suit of armor against harmful pests. Used for centuries by growers, worm castings have long been recognized as a most
CELEBRATE POLLINATORS — AND PROTECT THEM Critically important to the plants we depend on, and increasingly jeopardized by human activities, pollinators deserve everyone’s support. National Pollinator Week, which in 2023 runs from June 19 to June 25, is an annual event dedicated to helping make that happen. Around the world, events and educational initiatives throughout the week shine a spotlight on the essential contributions of
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE AMAZING PRAYING MANTIS! The dating habits of the Praying Mantis may seem unconventional. Successful suitors are literally losing their heads over these sultry sirens of the garden. Every year, we premier our own version of “The Praying Mantis Bachelorette”, where we spotlight one lovely lady as she considers a host of hopefuls - one of whom will… win? Um,
Organic Control has brought natural and organic gardening to families in the form of ladybugs, worms, praying mantis and lacewings for over 40 years. The newest sensation is simply one as old as time itself. FAQs ON MASON BEES What are Mason Bees? Did you know that bees are responsible for one of every three bites of food we eat? Those
Laura used to have a big problem. She had a dog, Bingley. A mostly indoor dog, Bingley was a frequent visitor to their backyard. Bingley loved having a chance to run around a bit outside before he did his business and headed back inside. She also had a cat, Jasmine. Jasmine hadn’t set foot outside since Laura had brought her home as a kitten,
Memorial Day weekend is nearly upon us. What is the best way protect the gardens you planted during this “shelter in place” season? And, what about those “murder hornets” that are starting to make headlines? Here is the answer to your questions. Build an army! Here’s what you need to know about Praying Mantids, a natural enemy of the hornet. Another Guardian of
