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
Tuesday - February 05, 2013
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pests, Groundcovers
Title: Eliminating wood roaches from hardwood mulch from San Antonio TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
How can I eliminate the numerous wood roaches in my hardwood mulch that I get for free from the city of San Antonio?ANSWER:
If you are getting wood roaches delivered with your free hardwood mulch, we think "free" may be too high a price.
From the Las Vegas Review-Journal, an article on Pests are price to pay for using wood mulch
We are gardeners, not entomologists, but we do recommend mulch quite frequently for gardens, so we will try to address this problem. We found several expert articles on the subject, hopefully one of them will give you the information you need.
eHow How to Kill Wood Roaches From that article:
Exterminators are usually not needed for wood roaches because they usually do not infect homes, and they only last for a few weeks out of the year.
"Wood cockroaches are a group of minor cockroach pests. They are native to North America. Males are usually plain brown and 1 inch or less in length. Females are shorter and broader than males. Generally, females range in color from light to dark brown, with wings only half the length of the body or shorter. Males are good fliers and are often found around lights at night. Sometimes males fly into buildings. Outdoors, wood cockroaches are found in areas such as wood piles, mulch, and leaf litter. Indoors, wood cockroaches cannot survive very well and are seldom a problem."
More Pests Questions
Dog-proof grass from The Woodlands TX
April 26, 2013 - I am looking for a hardy grass that can tolerate female dogs urine. Zoysia was suggested but I am concerned about it being invasive. Any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Vehicle friendly oak trees for Austin
March 30, 2008 - Do Chinquapins, Shumards or Live Oaks produce lots of tree sap? I'm looking for a vehicle friendly Oak tree to be installed in parking areas in Austin, Texas.
view the full question and answer
Discouraging rattlesnakes in northern California
July 12, 2011 - Searching for information re: managing your garden to discourage snakes, especially rattlesnakes. I live in northern California and we have many. I found one of your articles, but the link to an U. of...
view the full question and answer
Protection of Mountain Laurel from Pyralid or Genista moth caterpillars
May 28, 2006 - I have a Texas Mountain Laurel. Every year it is attacked by caterpillars. They form a bag for lack of a better word on the ends of the branches destroying the blooms for the following year. PLEASE...
view the full question and answer
Problems with tomatoes in tubs in Campbellton, TX
May 30, 2009 - I have my tomatoes planted in big black plastic tubs, they are starting to wilt and dry up. I have put Sevin dust on them for bugs. I haven't been over watering. Could you please tell me why they are...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |