Question: Last week I discovered more than 30 dead or dying fig beetles under a desert willow that grew from seed near the foundation of my home. I picked up the beetles, but every day since there has been a similar number of dead or dying beetles. So in the past week we have had more than 200 dead beetles and dozens of dead or dying bees and wasps, mostly carpenter bees, a few blue mud daubers and various other striped bees and wasps . My first thought because of the treeโs close proximity to the house is that the pesticides that are applied every other month may have been systemic and been absorbed by the tree and put out in its nectar and pollen. I called the pest-control company and they insisted this was not the case. My exterminator uses bifenthrin, which according to info I can find is not systemic. I worry about this because we were planning on putting in a raised vegetable garden .
Answer: Bifenthrin is not a systemic but rather a contact poison and an effective tool against a variety of insect pests. It will kill all of the insects you mentioned and is toxic to bees. It shouldnโt be sprayed on or near flowering plants, to protect pollinators and other nectar feeders. You will need to avoid spraying bifenthrin in a raised vegetable garden, so you might want to ask your pest-control company which pests they are seeing in that part of your yard to determine if they might be pests of your garden. While you are at it, you might evaluate the need for a regular insecticide treatment. Make sure you know what pests they are seeing and ask them to show you specimens so you arenโt paying and spraying for no good reason.
Question: I saw a recent post about not recommending cat claw to cover a chain-link fence because it tends to congregate at the top. I have the same situation. I have a chain-link fence and would like to plant vines to create a โgreenโ fence and hide the chain link. I liked the cat claw because of its low water use; itโs fast-growing and has year-round green leaves. If not cat claw, what do you recommend?
Answer: You are correct; the cat claw tends to clump at the top. A nice alternative is star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). This is a beautiful evergreen vine with thick, leathery, dark-green leaves and fragrant clusters of white, star-shaped flowers in great profusion each spring. Part shade is best, but it will tolerate more sun if planted in deep, well-prepared soil and watered generously. East or north exposure is desirable in low-desert areas. It can be used near a patio or house where the sweet fragrance can be enjoyed to the fullest. It is also effective spilling over a planter wall or billowing up a post. This plant spreads widely, so you donโt have to buy a lot of them unless you have a lot of fence. One every 6 to 8 feet should do it. If this description doesnโt meet your requirements or you want to see what else is available, you might check out our publication available online called โLandscape Vines for Southern Arizonaโ (AZ1606) or visit a local nursery .
Question: My neighbor moved into her home last October. The prior owner was from San Diego so she had many Southern California plants in her yard. Just after our latest monsoon she noticed some plants coming up and only a day or two later one had this beautiful pink lily-type flower. The other stalks flowered in the next days and the flowers last a few days, there are no leaves. Any idea what type of plant this is?
Answer: The plants are a type of lily (Amaryllis belladonna) that are sometimes called naked ladies due to the way they flower without foliage on naked stems. They are suitable for our landscapes, as they donโt require much water.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com
