Insects, Diseases, and Weeds

All gardeners have seen their share of weeds, insects and diseases in their yard and garden. Some of them are easier to identify and manage than others. When it comes to the management of these problems, gardeners should first identify what the problem is. Control measures are different for different weeds, insects and disease. The materials for weed control are called herbicides, or more commonly know as "weed killers." The materials for insect control are called insecticides, or "bug killers." The materials for disease control or prevention are either called fungicides for fungal diseases or bactericide or antibiotic for bacterial diseases.

Insects, Diseases, and Weeds

As you can easily imagine, spraying an insecticide on a plant will not do anything to diseases. Spraying fungicides on a plant will not do anything to insects either. It is very critical to identify whether it is an insect, disease, or a weed. It is equally important to identify which insect, disease or a weed.

If you need to have insects, diseases, or weeds identified, Dr. Gary Gao or the Master Gardeners can try to help you. When we cannot identify the problem for you, we will refer you to the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic. There is fee for that service. For a fee schedule and the services that The web address for the Clinic offers, please log on to web at http://ppdc.osu.edu/

Links to Fact Sheets on Insects and Pests: http://ohioline.osu.edu/lines/pests.html

Links to Fact Sheets on Plant Diseases: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/index.html

Links to Fact Sheets on Trees, Shrubs & Groundcover - Diseases: http://ohioline.osu.edu/lines/trees.html#TSG_1

An Excellent Website for Insect, disease, and weed Identification: http://www.bugwood.org/index.cfm

OSU Extension Bulletins

Controlling Weeds in Nursery and Landscape Plantings:  $2.50 plus tax.  

This publication contains pesticide recommendations that are provided as a guide and are subject to change at any time, as well as other weed control suggestions and application equipment instructions for nurseries and in landscapes. Also included is an index of herbicides listed by both the common name and trade name.

Disease Control in the Landscape:  $9.25 plus tax. 

 Successful plant health management requires the proper identification of plants combined with the ability to determine various types of problems. This guide was designed to help landscape professionals and homeowners diagnose plant diseases and includes detailed color photos of many of the listed diseases and management practices. 

Insect and Mite Control on Woody Ornamentals and Herbaceous Perennials:  $3.75 plus tax.   

This bulliten informs and prepares users about insect and mite pests that commonly attack landscape plants, when these pests are most vulnerable to control measures, and currently available control options. Also, the importance of understanding basic principles involved in making responsible and effective pest control decisions is outlined.

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Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration; Associate Dean, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; Director, Ohio State University Extension and Gist Chair in Extension Education and Leadership. TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-6181.