News
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Spotted lanternfly: A colorful cause for concern
Published on May 7, 2019
As of May 1, 2019, this new invasive pest is not known to be in Michigan. Learn how to identify it and take steps to slow its spread.
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MSU to partner with Egyptian Center of Excellence for Agriculture funded by USAID
Published on May 6, 2019
Michigan State University is a partner institution on a five-year, $30 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development to establish an Egyptian Center of Excellence for Agriculture.
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Pollinators in urban landscapes
Published on May 1, 2019
Most plants need pollination to reproduce and grow fruit. While some plants are wind-pollinated, many require assistance from insects, bats, hummingbirds or other animals.
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Landscape plants and wildflowers attractive to butterflies for nectar feeding
Published on May 1, 2019
Many of the flowering plants attractive to bees will also be visited by butterflies. However, butterflies are attracted to flowers almost entirely for feeding on nectar.
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Best Management Practices
Published on May 1, 2019
Most pesticide applications by tree care professionals are due to a few exotic pests.
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Considerations for disease management
Published on May 1, 2019
It was previously thought that fungicides and bactericides are harmless to honey bees and other pollinators, and in fact, most fungicides are still considered relatively safe, even while spraying when pollinators are present.
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How to control invasive pests while protecting pollinators and other beneficial insects
Published on May 1, 2019
Pesticides should never be applied unless they are necessary to maintain plant health.
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Protecting pollinators during home lawn grub control
Published on May 1, 2019
The most widely used insecticides for grub infestations of lawns are neonicotinoid insecticides, which are toxic to pollinators if they are sprayed over flowers.
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Potential impact of mosquito and nuisance insect sprays on pollinators
Published on May 1, 2019
Fogging or spraying for mosquitoes or biting flies around the yard and garden with an insecticide can be very harmful to pollinators.
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Do not spray pollinator-attractive plants with insecticides when open flowers are present
Published on May 1, 2019
It is clear to most people that insecticides sprayed onto open flowers can be highly toxic to bees, even if they are sprayed early in the morning or at night when bees are not present.
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Selection, planting and care of trees and shrubs to avoid the need for pesticides
Published on May 1, 2019
The best way to minimize pollinator exposure to pesticides is to create and maintain healthy landscapes with plants that rarely require a pesticide application.
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Biological control and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for protecting pollinators
Published on May 1, 2019
For the past 30 years or more, most tree care professionals and many informed property owners have been managing destructive insects by minimizing pesticide use and encouraging predators and parasitoids that naturally keep pests under control.
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Flowers throughout the year
Published on May 1, 2019
The best habitats for bees have flowering plants rich in nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. Survey your yard and garden to see when flowers are abundant and when they are scarce.
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Better habitat for bees
Published on May 1, 2019
In general, herbs and garden perennials are good for bees, while most annual bedding plants are less attractive to them.
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Creating and maintaining pollinator friendly habitat
Published on May 1, 2019
Many types of insects feed on pollen and nectar, although two types of pollinators receive the most attention: bees and butterflies.
