New column to help gardeners itching to learn about insects

If you’re a gardener or homeowner preparing to repulse the seasonal offensive by local insect pests, arm yourself with information from the Bangor Daily News and the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension’s Pest Management Office. They’ll be collaborating on “The Insect Aside,” a series of articles to run every other week on the NEWS’ Saturday-Sunday Home & Garden page.

UM entomologists are very familiar with what laypeople refer to as the “bad” insects, mites and plant diseases that damage gardens and landscapes, or invade homes. They also respect the underappreciated “good” bugs that make an important contribution to gardeners and homeowners, helping out by controlling many pests. The good and bad will have their days in the column, featuring a line drawing or photograph to help readers identify that column’s featured insect.

In “The Insect Aside,” entomologists will tell why the subject of the article is important and relevant to readers, what time of year the insect can be a problem, and what can be done about the situation, if needed and advisable.

Because every situation is different, “The Insect Aside” will not make pesticide recommendations. Each author will provide an office phone number and e-mail address so readers who feel pesticide use is warranted in their situation can contact the author, describe their situation, and receive a recommendation specific to their pest problem free of charge.

Colin Stewart, a homeowner-greenhouse IPM specialist, can be reached at 581-2967 or cstewart@umext.maine.edu.