LMUD is an Official Distributor of Grow Green

Aphids are a tiny (1/16-1/8″) insect with soft body, long legs and antennae; cornicles or
“tailpipes” on tip of abdomen; 250 species; reproduce quickly; attack new growth or the underside of a leaf. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to pesticide use.

There are many types of beetles in the Austin area, many of them are beneficial. The two most common groups of pest beetles in the Austin area are Flea Beetles (attack many vegetables including cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant, potatoes) and Cucumber Beetles (attack all members of the squash and cucumber family). The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to pesticide use.

Caterpillars can be found year round, but are most prevalent in spring and fall; some types are specific to a season while others complete more than one life cycle per year. Types of pest caterpillars found in the Austin area include Tomato Horn Worm, Tent Caterpillar, Genista, and Spring Cankerworm. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to pesticide use.

Fire ant colonies contain the queen(s), winged males and females, workers (wingless,
sterile females) and brood (eggs, larvae and pupae). They create mounds up to 18″ tall. Fire ants can be a problem year round, but are most prevalent in the spring and fall.
Fire ants don’t injure turfgrass, but mounds become unsightly; ants are aggressive and cause painful stings that may become infected. They can invade electrical equipment and cause short circuits. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to pesticide use.

Fleas are tiny insects with hind legs modified for jumping; adults are found on pets; eggs, larvae and pupae are found in carpet and in shady, moist soil in the yard; they leave black droppings around pet sleeping areas and jump when disturbed. An effective program to eliminate fleas must include controlling fleas on pets, and removing eggs and larva from the living area. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to pesticide use.

Many species of garden and landscape plants can be affected by Fungal Leaf Spot: leaves turn yellow, then brown and drop from plant; sometimes leaves drop before turning brown; spreads easily on wet foliage. Look for a raised center on a spot caused by fungus. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to fungicide use. Note that not all leaf problems are caused by fungus. Fungicides are ineffective for drought-stress, chemical damage, bacterial or viral spots or insect damage.

Lawn problems included in this fact sheet include: Chinch bugs, Grubs, Brown Patch, Take All Patch, Drought Stress, Iron Chlorosis, and Shade Stress. It also includes a flow chart to identify what may be damaging your lawn and a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to pesticide and fungicide use.

Mosquitoes are small (~1/4 inch) flies that play an important role in food webs, but can become a nuisance when abundant, and in worst cases spread disease such as West Nile Virus. Only females bite because the extra protein and iron is necessary to produce the eggs. Reducing mosquito populations is best approached before they become adults. Awareness of how to how to limit breeding sites can drastically reduce their numbers
around our homes without harming other living things. The fact sheet includes a list least toxic mosquitoes pesticide products.

Poison Ivy consistently has three leaflets with smooth, wavy or serrated edges; leaflets are alternate on the stem; clusters of whitish flowers and fruit are not showy. It’s a persistent deciduous perennial; young plants can be 1’-2’ tall and are herbaceous; mature plants can be woody and cover hundreds of square feet; can grow to be vine-like, shrubby or a groundcover; vine attaches to any object that will support it; spreads by rhizomes and seeds. Oily resin can cause severe itching, skin inflammation and blisters; oil can bond on to the skin within 20 minutes of exposure and stay active on some surfaces for up to five years; allergic reaction may take as little as four hours or up to 10 days; three out of four people will have some type of reaction within 24-72 hours. IF EYES SWELL SHUT, SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to herbicide use.

Powdery Mildew is a white powdery fungal growth on the leaf surface; does not require moist leaves to spread, but is particularly active in the spring and fall during cool, humid conditions. Spreads rapidly and can produce spores within 72 hours of infection. It seldom causes permanent damage to plants. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to fungicide use.

Scale are very small, sucking insects found on leaves, twigs, stems and sometimes fruits; often mistaken for part of plant since they look like natural bumps and do not move when mature; sometimes mistaken for fungal growth. Scale excrete “honeydew,” a sticky substance that attracts ants and often causes black “sooty mold”. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to pesticide use.

Snails and slugs feed on plants by scraping off the tissue or eating holes in the leaves or flowers; leave glistening trails of slime wherever they crawl. They are attracted to moist places. Treat for snails and slugs only if significant plant damage begins to appear. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to pesticide use.

Adult Spider Mites are tiny (1/150-1/50”); varied in color; spider-like, with eight legs and no antennae; eggs are laid on the underside of leaves and on buds. They affect fruit trees, many house plants, tomatoes, Marigolds, strawberries, Buddleia, roses, Junipers, and Rosemary. They cause leaves to lose color as numerous yellow specks appear and often
turn bronze and curl under. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to pesticide use.

Brown Stink Bugs, Southern Green Stink Bug, and Leaf-footed bugs all emit a distinct odor when handled. They any fruits and vegetables, and are especially fond of Tomatoes, Southern Peas, Peaches, and Pecans causing damage by sucking juices from leaves, stems and fruits, causing deformed growth. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to pesticide use.

A weed is a plant that is growing where it is not wanted; it easily reproduces and spreads; competes with desirable plants for space, light and nutrition; detracts from the aesthetics of the landscape; can harbor pests and diseases. The goal is to disrupt the weed’s life cycle without damaging the environment. Examples of perennial weeds include Broadleaf Plaintain, Bermudagrass, Dandelion, and Quackgrass. Examples of annual weeds include Carpetweed, Chickweed, Sandbur, and Purslane. The fact sheet includes a list of product toxicity comparisons to encourage the LEAST TOXIC approach to herbicide use.