Praying mantis Praying mantids (plural praying mantis) are mostly beneficial insects. Praying mantids eat aphids, asparagus beetles, caterpillars, Colorado potato beetles, earwigs, leafhoppers, Mexican bean beetles, and squash bugs. Praying mantids also eat beneficial insects, butterflies, and bees. Attract praying mantids to the garden by planting shrubs and perennials that provide strong stems and branches
Bindweed Bindweed is a perennial vine with round white blossoms. There are two common species of bindweed: field bindweed and hedge bindweed. Bindweeds look somewhat like morning glories. Description and Life Cycle: Field and hedge bindweed have stems 3 to 10 feet long. Stems are smooth and climb or lie prostrate on the ground. Leaves
Crabgrass Crabgrass is an annual summer weed. It infests lawns, vegetables gardens, ornamental gardens, orchards, and vineyards. Description and Life Cycle: Plant 4/5 to 1â…“ inch tall. Stems (called culms) are erect and prostrate. Flat, pale green leaves, either smooth or covered with coarse hairs; membranous sheath on the inside of leaf blade. Leaves alternate
Harlequin bug Harlequin bugs are shield- shaped, have black-and-orange or black-and-red  triangles on the back, and are about ¼-inch long. The harlequin bug is a type of stink bug; it releases a foul odor when disturbed. Harlequin bugs–also called shield bugs–suck plant sap from cabbage-family crops and other vegetables. Harlequin bugs overwinter in garden debris
Beet armyworm Beet armyworm caterpillars are green with yellow undersides and dark green and yellow stripes. Fall armyworms are shiny brown with black heads and yellow stripes down their backs with a V-shaped white mark on the head. Armyworms are active at night and on overcast days. They get their name from their habit of
Morning Glory Morning glories are summer-growing perennial and annual plants commonly grown for their colorful funnel-shaped flowers. Morning glories become weedy when they are allowed to twine around other plants and objects and when allowed to re-seed and grow uncontrolled. Description and Life Cycle: Stems are 3 to 13 feet long; twine around other plants
Poison ivy  Poison ivy grow as a deciduous shrub or vine. A resin that covers the leaves, stems, fruits, and roots is toxic and commonly causes severe, painful skin rashes. Description and Life Cycle: Grows as bushy shrub to 3 feet tall or climbing or creeping vine in shade. Compound leaves bear three oval
Poison oak                      Poison oak is perennial deciduous plant that grows as a shrub or vine. All parts of the plant are covered with a highly toxic resin that can cause severe dermatitis. Description and
Ragweed There are several species of plants that are called ragweed. All produce pollen that is easily carried by the wind and causes hay fever among those who are susceptible. Common ragweed is an annual. Western ragweed is a perennial. Description and Life Cycle: Most ragweed plants grow 1 to 5 feet tall depending on
Wild garlic Wild garlic is a perennial plant that grows from bulbils. There are several species of wild garlic. Wild garlic is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental but can be hard to control as it spreads. Descriptions and Life Cycle: Plants grow to 3 feet tall. Plant grows from a cluster of bulbs covered with
