Stinkhorns

Stinkhorns are mushrooms that can appear in mulch, lawns, and areas with bare soil. Stinkhorns do not cause plant disease, and can be beneficial, as described in this factsheet.

Ramps, Allium tricoccum

There aren’t many native woodland plants that also double as vegetables, but the spring ephemeral Allium tricoccum is one. To find out more about this perennial plant, read this article…

Maintaining Lawn and Garden Tools

When it comes to digging in the garden or pruning trees and shrubs, having high quality tools that are cleaned, lubricated, sharpened and otherwise properly maintained, makes any outdoor job simpler and more efficient. Learn how to maintain your garden tools in this useful factsheet.

Common Spiders In and Around the Home

W.L. Gojmerac Revised:  1/24/2012 Item number:  A2135 Approximately 1000 species of spiders are found in this country, living almost anywhere.  Learn about the dangers and problems and control of some spiders.

Invasive Exotic Shrub Honeysuckles

Includes history, distribution, habitat, similar species, threats, identification and impact, of the shrub honeysuckles that are invasive in the Midwest. Photos and discussion of control strategies are also included.

Slime Molds

Ann Joy and Brian Hudelson, UW-Madison Plant Pathology Revised:  4/25/2004 Item number:  XHT1091 What is a slime mold?  Slime molds are members of a shape-shifting group of organisms called myxomycetes.  These organisms are found all over the world, even in deserts, high altitudes, and on the edges of snowbanks.  Although they often resemble fungi, slime […]

Larder Beetles

Phil Pellitteri, UW Insect Diagnostic Lab Revised:  4/27/2004 Item number:  XHT1051 Adult larder beetles (Dermestes lardarius) are 1∕3 inch long black beetles with a broad, pale tan, black spotted band across the front portion of the wing covers.  Larder beetle larvae are reddish brown and densely covered with short and long hairs, and have two […]

Bird’s Nest Fungi

Bird’s nest fungi are not harmful to plants, but grow on decomposing organic matter, such as on mulch in planting beds with damp, shady conditions. Learn more in this factsheet.

Millipedes

Phil Pellitteri, UW Insect Diagnostic Lab Revised: 17/12/2016 Item number:  XHT1108 Millipedes can become pests in late summer and fall, as well as during wet periods, when they are found in large numbers in and around the home.  These harmless, hard-shelled, segmented worms feed on decaying organic matter in the soil and can be easily […]

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