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Gophers are small burrowing rodents that feed on the roots of plants. A single gopher can inflict considerable damage in a short time. They live up to three years and eat a wide variety of vegetation, usually what they encounter while digging. Sometimes gophers feed above ground, venturing only a…
Raccoons are smart, dexterous mammals that can become very aggressive when cornered. When searching for den or food, they can be extremely destructive to homes and gardens. Raccoons communicate using a variety of sounds including purring, growling, hissing, and whistling. They eat plants and animals,…
Rats are among the most common pests in Marin homes and gardens. Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) also known as brown, sewer, or wharf rats, are mostly nocturnal. They constantly explore and learn about their environment, memorizing pathways, obstacles, and locations of food and water. Roof rats (Rattus…
Triangular-shaped head, short legs and long, sharp, non-retractable claws. Spray can be squirted accurately as far as six to 10 feet away as a defense mechanism. Live in burrows. Eat a varied diet. Excellent sense of smell and good hearing, but very poor vision. Healthy skunks are mild-tempered. They prefer…
Solving Problems | Top 20 Problems | Garden Pests | Weeds & Invasives | Extreme Conditions | Other Garden Problems | Biological Control & Natural Enemies | Reducing Harmful Chemicals in the Garden Vertebrate Pests - Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles A vertebrate is an animal with a backbone…
Learn how to identify, manage and attract beneficial insects, including soldier beetles. Protect the good insects that feed on the pests and pollinate plants.
Marin Garden Walks is a partnership between UC Marin Master Gardeners and Marin Municipal Water District to provide homeowners in Marin with information and advice on improving their irrigation practices to help conserve Marins precious water resources.
Garden Help The following list of questions can be used to help diagnose plant problems. Some of the questions may lead to solutions, while others may only help you convey information to someone helping you with the diagnosis.
Wilted, drooping leaves are signs of heat stress in plants. Photo credit: Pikist.com Plants are sensitive to both air and soil surface temperatures. Temperatures ranging from 60 to 85F are optimum for plant growth and development.
Find out why mushrooms are appearing in your garden, their causes, role in soil health, and if they’re harmful or beneficial to you, pets, and your plants.
