This page is used to provide timely information to Master Gardeners about garden pests and diseases currently being seen in the county, to better prepare ourselves to recognize and  accurately diagnose problems brought to plant clinics. The public are also welcome to learn what they can from this page and links provided, but please read and heed the following  notice:                                                                                Notice Master Gardener pesticide recommendations must follow the 1999 Pest Management Guide issued  by Virginia Cooperative Extension. Links to sites other than Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension are included here because they contain useful descriptions, pictures or cultural information.  Pesticide recommendations on those pages may not be legal in Virginia. Refer to the VCE Pest Management Guide (PMG) for any pesticide recommendations. Note: Pesticide labels can change rapidly, consumers  should carefully read label directions before buying and using a pesticide and ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LATEST PRODUCT LABEL. Master Gardeners receive the PMG as part of their annual dues. The Guide (Publication  456-018) can also be purchased directly from VCE at a price of $16.

ALERTS None posted for 2000...so far.  We will be posting new alerts for each month--May to Sep. For example,  we posted the following alerts for May 1999: May 1999: Lacebugs on azaleas, rhododendrons and andromedas - are tiny (1/8") insects found on undersides of leaves, along with black or dark brown fecal spots. Damage appears as tiny yellow or white spots, or stippling, on the leaves, usually appearing on older leaves first. Azalea lace bug has two generations per year, in May-June and August-September, with the second usually more severe. Spray recommendations are found on pg. 119 of the PMG which advises "control of the first generation is most important to slow populations buildup.  LACEBUG INFO, including links to photos Cottony Camellia Scale - This soft scale is about 1/8" long, oval, yellowish-tan, with a brown margin are being seen on holly. Infested plants may have off-color foliage, with honeydew and sooty mold esp. on lower leaves. This scale has only one generation per year. White, cottony/waxy egg sacks are laid on undersides of leaves in May, with crawlers appearing in June. Recommended insecticide treatment dates are June 10 - 20.  See pp. 113 & 122 of PMG for recommendations. SCALE INFO  Also, see a PHOTO OF COTTONY CAMELIA SCALE Spiny hazel gall aphid on birch - May first be noticed from puckering & distortion of new leaves, and secretions of a sticky honeydew. Aphids are about 1/10" long, pear shaped insects. Light infestations are usually not harmful to established trees.   MORE INFO on Spiny hazel gall aphid Note: If a creature looking something like THIS  is also found on the tree, try to avoid use of insecticides. This is the larval form of the lady beetle, a welcome eater of aphids. Ladybeetle larvae photo: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/H/I-CO-HCON-LV.004.html PREVIOUS ALERTS & TIPS: Using Spray Oils for Insect Control (Michigan StateUniv.) Insect and Mite Control of Woody Ornamentals and Herbaceous Perennial (Ohio State Univ.) For other things to think about and do in your garden, visit Virginia Coop Exten- sion's Monthly Gardening Tips

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