A lush, healthy lawn offers a host of advantages, making it a valuable asset to any property. The most obvious is the aesthetic appeal it brings to your home, a welcoming ambiance for residents and visitors alike. But there are other less-obvious benefits you can derive by investing in lawn care. Here are a few of them: Water management The first of these is erosion prevention. A well-maintained lawn acts as a natural barrier, significantly reducing erosion caused by wind and water. All those miniscule roots hold the soil together, keeping it from washing away and creating layers of sediment e ..read more

As we progress into late spring and early summer, we can expect rainstorms to leave pools of standing water all over the landscape.  That means mosquito larvae by the millions.  And as mosquito season begins in earnest, it’s time to be aware of the health risks these insects can pose. Pathogen transmission Mosquito-borne diseases are caused by pathogens carried and transmitted by mosquitoes during blood meals. Among the most notorious of these illnesses are Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue fever and malaria. Each of these presents unique symptoms and potential c ..read more

Animals can provide wonderful support to children with disabilities by forming life-enhancing connections. Harmony Farms, a nonprofit in Cocoa, engages many such children through therapeutic horseback riding experiences. Therapeutic riding benefits individuals of all ages who are dealing with a wide spectrum of cognitive, physical and emotional challenges. Recently, Slug-A-Bug sponsored Harmony Farms’ fundraising event, the Buckaroo Ball, held on February 17 at the Space Coast Convention Center. The event featured both silent and live auctions, with proceeds going to support the nonprofit. Slu ..read more

We see them quite often this time of year. They flutter around our yards and sometimes get into our homes. Unfortunately for them, they resemble jumbo mosquitoes. But resist the urge to swat crane flies. They’re mostly beneficial. The crane fly is a fascinating insect with a unique lifecycle. Despite their size and appearance, crane flies are harmless to humans and animals. They have delicate bodies and long, slender legs, resembling miniature helicopters when in flight.  These insects are common in Florida, often found in damp areas such as marshes, wetlands and near bodies of water. Cra ..read more

They’re not centipedes. They don’t bite or sting. Still, some people recoil from them.  Often misunderstood creatures, millipedes play a crucial role in our ecosystem. Members of the class Diplopoda, these multi-legged arthropods act as nature’s decomposers, breaking down decaying matter in the environment, contributing to nutrient recycling and soil enrichment.  Millipedes are fascinating creatures found in every state in the union, numbering about 7,000 species worldwide. They often curl up into a coiled position when they feel threatened. One species in California even has biolumi ..read more

If you see one, you can be certain there are many more – and a whole lot more on the way. Cockroaches are notorious for their prolific breeding habits, and will swiftly overrun a home if left unchecked. These resilient pests reproduce rapidly, with some species capable of laying a teeming multitude of eggs during a lifetime. A single female cockroach can produce several generations in a year, exacerbating a home infestation. Cockroach eggs, commonly housed in protective cases, can contain numerous offspring, further contributing to their proliferation. After mating, the females lay up to two o ..read more

St. Augustine grass, a popular choice for turfgrass in various regions, is facing a formidable adversary: the sugarcane mosaic virus (SMV). This insidious virus, belonging to the potyvirus family, has become a cause for deep concern in some areas of Florida.  The repercussions of SMV on St. Augustine grass are potentially severe. The virus induces a mosaic disease that manifests as a distinct mottled appearance on the leaves. Unlike fungal infections, viral infections like SMV prove resistant to fungicides, leaving lawn owners in a predicament with no effective treatment available. The hi ..read more

When it comes to landscaping, most homeowners focus on plants, flowers and shrubs to beautify their yards. However, one often overlooked element in achieving a vibrant and healthy landscape is mulch. This includes wood chips, pine straw, organic materials or any number of materials available at your nursery. Mulching not only adds to the aesthetics of your yard but also plays a crucial role in maintaining soil health and promoting plant growth. A nice look Mulch is like the finishing touch to your landscaping masterpiece. It provides a polished look to your yard by creating a uniform and tidy ..read more

Multitudes of crawling invaders are here in the Sunshine State. Unfortunately, they have a ravenous appetite for your home. The Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus) is a highly destructive species of subterranean termite that has become a concern in Florida. Native to East Asia, it arrived in the United States via ships. The species is renowned for its voraciousness, inflicting more extensive damage compared to the eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes), which is prevalent in the region. These termites are determined insects that can penetrate many different kinds of barri ..read more

A well-manicured lawn not only enhances the beauty of your outdoor space but also reflects the pride you take in your home. One often overlooked, yet crucial, aspect of achieving a polished and refined lawn is mastering the art of edging. Why edging matters Edging is more than just a finishing touch; it’s a landscaping technique that creates clean lines and distinct borders. Proper edging not only contributes to the aesthetic appeal of your lawn but also serves practical purposes. It helps prevent grass from encroaching into flower beds, sidewalks, and driveways, resulting in a neater and more ..read more