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Ticks are small parasitic arachnids that rely on animals for blood meals during different stages of their life cycle. In Canada, species such as the blacklegged tick ( Ixodes scapularis ) and the western blacklegged tick ( Ixodes pacificus ) are of particular concern because they are capable of transmitting pathogens that affect both humans and animals. A tick bite is often painless at first, which allows the tick to remain attached and feed for extended periods. During feedi

Wasps and hornets are often grouped together and treated as pests, especially when they appear near homes. In reality, they play important ecological roles and behave in ways that are often misunderstood. Learning the difference between them, why they are beneficial, and how to manage their presence helps reduce unnecessary harm while keeping your space comfortable. What Is the Difference Between a Hornet and a Wasp The distinction between hornets and wasps is often blurred i

Bringing outdoor plants into an indoor growing environment may seem harmless, especially when trying to extend a season or save a plant. From a biological and ecological perspective, however, this practice introduces a complex set of risks. Outdoor plants exist within open, dynamic ecosystems . Indoor growing spaces are closed systems  with limited biological checks and balances. When these two environments are mixed, the result is often rapid pest outbreaks, disease spread,

Birdhouses are a familiar sight in gardens, parks, and backyards across North America. They are often seen as a simple way to support birds while adding charm to outdoor spaces. While modern birdhouses are widely available in decorative styles, their origins are rooted in practical needs and a long history of human interaction with birds. In ancient and early agricultural societies, people constructed dovecotes , which were large structures designed to house pigeons and doves

Beekeeping is one of the oldest forms of human interaction with insects. Long before agriculture became widespread, people sought out honey as a valuable food source. Over time, this relationship evolved from wild harvesting to structured beekeeping systems, shaping both human culture and agricultural development. The earliest evidence of humans collecting honey dates back thousands of years. Cave paintings in regions such as Spain show figures climbing cliffs and reaching in

Bug hotels, also known as insect hotels, are man made structures designed to provide shelter for insects. They are typically built from wood and filled with materials such as hollow bamboo tubes, drilled blocks, pinecones, bark, and straw. Each section is intended to attract different types of insects, including solitary bees, ladybugs, beetles, and other beneficial species. The concept behind bug hotels is based on a real ecological idea. Many insects rely on natural feature

Topiary is the practice of shaping plants into ornamental forms through careful pruning and training. Gardeners shape shrubs and trees into geometric forms, architectural shapes, or sculptural figures such as animals, spirals, and arches. While many people associate topiary with formal European gardens, the practice has a long and fascinating history that spans cultures and centuries. Today, topiary continues to appear in botanical gardens, historic estates, urban landscapes,

Ontario’s landscapes contain some of the most diverse freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems in North America. Lakes, wetlands, forests, and grasslands support thousands of native species that depend on one another to maintain healthy ecological balance. When non native species enter these environments and begin to spread uncontrollably, that balance can be disrupted very quickly. For many years invasive plants and animals entered Ontario unintentionally. Some were introduced

Virginia bower ( Clematis virginiana ), often called wild clematis or old man's beard, is one of those plants that looks charming at first and overwhelming a few seasons later. In natural forests and field edges it is part of a healthy ecosystem. In a garden, however, it can quickly become a problem. The vine grows rapidly, climbs over shrubs and fences, and spreads by thousands of wind carried seeds. If left alone it can smother nearby plants, block sunlight, and form thick

Ontario is home to an extraordinary diversity of plant life. Forests, wetlands, fields, shorelines, and even urban green spaces support thousands of plant species. The vast majority are harmless to people and play essential roles in ecosystems by supporting wildlife, stabilizing soils, and sustaining pollinators. However, a small number of plants can cause health problems when touched, handled improperly, or accidentally ingested. These reactions are usually the result of nat

Designing a garden in an area shared with wild ducks and geese requires a different approach than standard backyard gardening. These birds are persistent grazers, ground foragers, and tramplers. Left unplanned, they can strip tender plants, compact soil, and foul growing areas. The good news is that ducks and geese are selective. By understanding what they avoid, how they move, and what discourages them naturally, it is possible to build a garden that is not only resilient, b

Herbalism is one of the oldest health traditions in human history. Across cultures and continents, people observed plants, recorded their effects, and refined their use through generations of experience. Long before laboratories and pharmaceutical manufacturing existed, plant medicine formed the backbone of health care. Modern interest in herbalism continues to grow, but the context has changed. In Canada, herbalism is not a regulated or licensed medical profession. There is

Long before modern nurseries, grafting machines, and climate-controlled greenhouses, European orchardists developed precise winter grafting techniques to reliably propagate fruit trees. One of the most enduring of these methods is bench grafting with wax dipping , a practice refined over centuries across France, Germany, England, and Central Europe. This method was not born from convenience, but from necessity, biology, and a deep understanding of plant dormancy. Bench grafti

Earwigs are one of the most misunderstood garden insects. They are nocturnal, secretive, and often discovered only after damage has already occurred. Chewed petals, ragged leaf edges, and seedlings that seem to disappear overnight are common signs. Because earwigs are most active at night and hide during the day, many gardeners reach for chemical controls out of frustration. Unfortunately, chemical treatments introduce risks to soil life, pollinators, pets, and people, especi

A growing zone is a climate classification that tells you whether a perennial plant can survive winter conditions in a specific area. In Canada, zones are based on long-term data that includes minimum winter temperatures, frost duration, snow cover, and seasonal temperature patterns. Zones are about winter survival , not overall plant performance. This distinction matters. Zones do not measure soil quality, rainfall, summer heat, humidity, or how productive a plant will be. T

Seeds are often treated as biologically inert starting points, but they are not sterile objects. A seed is a living structure with stored nutrients, protective tissues, and microscopic surfaces that can support pests at multiple life stages. While most seeds are safe, it is scientifically accurate to say that seeds can act as vectors for certain insects, mites, and pathogens under specific conditions. Understanding how this happens requires separating true seed-borne infestat

Root vegetables are not simply roots that grow larger with time. They are specialized storage organs shaped by physical and biochemical signals from their environment. For a carrot, beet, radish, or parsnip to thicken properly, the plant must receive specific cues that tell it when to stop growing longer and start expanding outward. One of the most important of those cues is mechanical resistance. The Botanical Purpose of a Storage Root Root vegetables evolved as energy stora

Pelargonium rust is one of the most misunderstood and frustrating diseases gardeners encounter when growing scented geraniums and ornamental pelargoniums. It often appears suddenly, spreads quickly, and is frequently mistaken for nutrient issues or insect damage in its early stages. Understanding how and why this disease develops is the difference between losing a plant and successfully restoring it. What Pelargonium Rust Actually Is Pelargonium rust is a fungal disease cause

Most people think nasturtiums taste “peppery” and stop there. In reality, nasturtiums have one of the widest flavour ranges of any edible garden plant. The taste can shift from mild and sweet to sharp, spicy, citrusy, or even caper-like depending on the variety, how it is grown, and when it is harvested. What makes this possible comes down to plant chemistry. Nasturtiums contain natural compounds called glucosinolates. These are the same family of compounds found in mustard g

In natural ecosystems, fallen leaves are not seasonal clutter. They are a structural layer that supports insect life cycles, soil biology, and nutrient flow. Removing them breaks systems that evolved to function continuously, not intermittently based on human aesthetics. A large proportion of Ontario’s native insects overwinter in leaf litter. Many butterflies and moths lay eggs on leaves that fall with the season. Others overwinter as pupae or larvae protected between leaf l