Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - September 14, 2008
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders
Title: Insect infestation of plants, dog and home
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have plants that some kind of bug is killing them, my fan plam, ficus tree and other plants. The leaves are drying up and falling off. Apparently, they also are infestion my apartment. I feel them crawling up me, in my bed and everywhere. My pour little dog is miserable with them on her too. Help, we're infested!! I've sprayed with pesticeds, usedthe grounded shell and fogged the apartment. I still have them!!! Help me please!ANSWER:
Our expertise here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is in the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. While we might try to determine the identification of insects that are associated with these native plants if we have a photograph or description of the insect, I'm afraid we can't be much help if we have neither a description nor a photo. We certainly have no expertise in identifying or exterminating insect pests infesting you, your dog, or your home. Mr. Smarty Plants suggests that you contact a pest extermination company that will come to your home and identify the pest and advise you how to deal with it.More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Transplant rootbound tree now from Kerrville TX
June 10, 2012 - I purchased a Blanco Crabapple tree. Should I plant it now or wait until Fall? (It is currently rootbound.)
Second question: Our Mountain Laurel has a dead trunk and one trunk has already died. I c...
view the full question and answer
Keeping cows from eating the garden
September 02, 2008 - I have a flowerbed area outside of our new split-rail fence
available for planting, but cattle roam outside the
fence also! Do you have any suggestions for plants that
cows tend not to eat (unle...
view the full question and answer
What is eating the plants in my garden?
August 08, 2008 - I have both purple and yellow coneflowers. Something is coming into my garden and eating the flowers off the stems. We don't have deer but may have other small animals that can get into our yard. Do ...
view the full question and answer
Problems with wax myrtle in Austin
February 01, 2009 - I have been struggling with wax myrtles for the last year! We live in NW Austin, The plants start off great and then thin out, leaves go brown, and die. I then cut off the dead wood in the hope that t...
view the full question and answer
Pruning live oak in Austin
April 28, 2012 - Hi, We recently purchased a house in South Austin and there is a huge Live Oak Tree about 6 feet from the back door (so so so love it!) The only real issues I have so far are:
1. Needing to trim a ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |