Question: We like to decorate our home with greens and holly out of our garden. We especially like holly and are wondering if there is anything we can do to keep the leaves from drying up so soon after it is brought inside.

Answer: While holly decorations add a beautiful holiday touch to any home, they can quickly decline without the proper maintenance. Holly sprigs last longest in cool locations with high humidity, such as breezeways and outside doors. When holly is brought indoors without a water source it will not last the entire holiday season.

Holly sprigs should be put in water or in saturated floral foam. They can be misted with water to keep the sprig from drying out or can be sprayed with an anti-desiccant spray. Anti desiccant sprays like Wilt Pruf form an invisible barrier on the leaves and berries to help lock in the branches natural moisture. For branches placed in water, a floral preservative can be used to extend their life. Floral preservatives, available through florists, kill bacteria in the water, which aids in preservation.

When selecting holly, be cautious as to the amount you prune off an individual tree. Cutting away more than one-third of the plant can cause excessive growth the following year and fewer budding flowers, hence fewer berries. Branches should also be pruned in a symmetrical manner so that the plant will grow back evenly in the following year.

Question: We found some insects in our cupboard that are not moths. They have a hard shell on them and look like some kind of a miniature beetle. What should we do to get rid of them?

ANSWER: Based on your description, the insects you found are probably flour beetles. They are commonly found in areas like cupboards where cereals, spices and other dried foods have been stored. These insects infest four, cereal products and other stored foods. Infestations often develop in seldom used food products that remain on hand for long periods of time. Two other insects frequently found infesting stored food products include the Granary and Rice Weevils. These two weevils are similar in in appearance and habits. The adult weevils are dark brown, cylindrical and have rather long snouts or beaks. These insects prefer whole grain but will also feed on spaghetti, macaroni, and similar foods.

and rice weevils are the same as for flour and meal moths. If an infestation is discovered, thoroughly clean the cupboard and discard infested food products. Keep stored food in containers with tight fitting lids and do not store them for extended periods of time (greater than two months).