“Ask the Plant and Pest Professor” is compiled from phone and email questions asked the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), part of University of Maryland Extension, an educational outreach of the University of Maryland.
Question #1: Why would a robin fly into the glass of my living room windows? This has been happening for the past two weeks or so. It happens during the day and early evening. He flies away when I go outside but then he starts up again and it goes on for at least twenty minutes. Poor thing I do not want him to hurt himself. Do you have any idea why he would be doing this? Except for the odd bird flying into a window in the past, this is new to us.
Answer #1: What you describe is a fairly common behavior for territorial bird species like, robins, sparrows and cardinals that nest close to houses. It generally occurs in spring. Both males and females do this as they attempt to thwart possible competitors or birds they view as a threat to their young. They see their reflection in your window and assume it is a bird they need drive away which leads them to fly into the glass. You can prevent this temporarily by covering the outside of the window with bird netting or fabric so their reflection is no longer visible to them. Or hang shiny objects like cd discs or Mylar tape in front of the window. There are also semi-transparent stickers sold to prevent birds from flying into windows. This behavior is exhausting for the bird but is usually not lethal.
Question #2: Every spring I have a problem with small ants entering our sunroom. There really is no food in there for them and we seem to have this problem only at this time of the year. Why does this happen and what can we do to stop it?
Answer #2: There are many species of ants that become a nuisance in homes in the spring. They are scouting for food and water sources. Check for entry points and replace the caulking and weather-stripping around windows, doors, and utilities to prevent them from getting in. Resist the temptation to use aerosol insecticides. Use gel-based ant baits instead. They are available at home and garden centers or hardware stores. The bait is taken back to the nest and distributed to the occupants. Don’t clean up around the traps when using ant baits, because it will actually keep the ants from going into them. Watch the ants as they go to and from the area, this may help determine where they are coming from. Be patient as this method of control takes a little time to work.
Question #3: I wish to buy organic vegetable transplants? Where would I find some and how will I know that they are grown organically. Also what vegetable cultivars do you recommend?
Answer #3: Check at your local farmers market to see if they are selling transplants. Other sources would be organic grocery stores or even a garden center. Ask how they have been grown and if the plants were started from untreated seeds. Also ask if the plants were treated with any insecticides or fungicides. Consider growing your own transplant in the future if you cannot find sources. We have a publication on recommended vegetable cultivars (HG70). Look for it on the HGIC website under ‘information library’ and publications.
To ask a home gardening or pest control question or for other help, go to https://extension.umd.edu/hgic Or phone HGIC at 1-800-342-2507, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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