Nathan Riggs is a SAWS project coordinator and licensed irrigator who also happens to have a degree in entomology from Texas A&M University. Yes, Nathan’s a bug expert, and not just on water bugs! When he’s not hard at work on SAWS conservation projects, he enjoys a wide variety of interests including: landscaping, hiking, photography of flowers, insects and other critters, and planning his next adventure with his son, John, and daughter, Olivia.
Nathan Riggs
Weeds are a part of life if you garden, but constantly pulling them doesn’t have to be. Try this simple, natural recipe for cooking summer weeds. Weeds are a part […]
Nathan Riggs
With summer heat upon us and Stage 2 watering rules still in place, it’s best to hold off on putting in new sod. Summer will be here before we know […]
Nathan Riggs
It’s time for a spring assessment of your irrigation components! Look for leaks, broken parts and other issues. Even if your system is no longer functional, it can still pay […]
Nathan Riggs
Cooler temperatures and increased moisture make your grass susceptible to frightful fungal foes. Cooler temperatures and increased humidity multiply the chances of disease problems in the autumn lawn, particularly after […]
Nathan Riggs
Let’s delve into the terrifying tales of some of nature’s wicked winged and other things. The end of October signals cooler weather and brings with it the notion of all […]
Nathan Riggs
White grubs can be a real nightmare for homeowners who value a showplace lawn. Checking the lawn for signs of damage will help you manage infestations. One of the signs […]
Nathan Riggs
Blowing grass clippings and leaves into the street may be simpler and save time, but these materials can clog stormwater drains, harming rivers, streams and neighborhoods. A sure sign of […]
Nathan Riggs
There are a few species of ants that haven’t endeared themselves to humans. But most of them go about their daily lives completely out of sight. According to most experts, […]
Nathan Riggs
In winter, grass and plants are not actively growing. But winter weeds like dandelions and henbit are multiplying with every drop of water they get. A quick show of hands […]
Nathan Riggs
An in-ground sprinkler system has a brain, heart and circulatory system that must be maintained for good health. Schedule a checkup and get a little cash back in your pocket. […]
Nathan Riggs
More than 98 percent of the insects in your landscape are either beneficial or benign. For the remaining 2 percent, there are ways to manage these pests without harming the […]
Nathan Riggs
Itching to make changes to your irrigation system? Or considering ditching it altogether? We can help you do that — and put a little extra cash in your pocket! If […]
Nathan Riggs
October and November are the ideals months of the year to make some or all of your irrigation system a thing of the past or upgrade it to boost efficiency. […]
Nathan Riggs
Wouldn’t it be great if you had a say in how much you’re charged for your monthly sewer service? Wait a minute, you actually do! Ok everyone, let’s have a […]
Nathan Riggs
October marks the peak of the monarch migration southward through Texas and on to Mexico for the winter. There are several ways you can help them along their journey. Texas […]
Nathan Riggs
The heat and high temps of late summer aren’t the only culprits that take a toll on your landscape. If your St. Augustine lawn is looking sad and jaundiced, it […]
Nathan Riggs
Sprinkler system running up your water bill? Consider ditching it with our Irrigation Design Rebate and add a little cold hard cash to your pocket. Irrigation systems represent a convenient […]
Nathan Riggs
Fire ants have been the bane of landscape enjoyment for many years in Texas. Fear not, there’s an easy and effective three-ingredient remedy you can concoct at home. Temperatures are […]
Nathan Riggs
Don’t be so hasty to shoo away those beetles, flies and wasps you see in your garden. They’re helping your flowers produce seed for the future! With spring in full […]
Nathan Riggs
While there’s no perfect answer to how much you should water in winter, there are some key conditions and observations to consider. As homeowners watch their landscapes enter winter dormancy, […]
Nathan Riggs
With the recent rainfall and onset of cooler temperatures, many San Antonio neighborhoods are seeing an increase of arachnids in their gardens. Late summer and fall in San Antonio marks […]
Nathan Riggs
Ladybugs are predators — they feed on other insects to survive. If you’re releasing them in your landscape to control insects, follow these tips to help them do their job […]
Nathan Riggs
Got ants in your plants? There are three simple ingredients you can mix to create an effective and natural treatment for fire ants. Temperatures are warming, plants are blooming and […]
Nathan Riggs
Got an irrigation system? If you’ve been pondering making changes to it — or getting rid of it altogether — now is the time. You may qualify for our irrigation […]
Nathan Riggs
It’s winter and your lawn is dormant – so why is your irrigation system running? Using extra water outdoors now only makes your sewer bill bloom later. OK everyone, let’s […]
Nathan Riggs
For enthusiasts who love to grow their own herbs and attract butterflies to their gardens, several cool season herbs can be used as food plants for you and many common […]
Nathan Riggs
The heat and high temps of July and August aren’t the only culprits that take a toll on your landscape and lawn. If your St. Augustine grass is looking sad […]
Nathan Riggs
Got white grubs, fleas and fungus gnats? Get beneficial nematodes. They’ll attack these insect pests, but are harmless to humans, plants and pets. Spring is well underway and warm temperatures […]
Nathan Riggs
Only two percent of insects are actually pests. We’ll introduce you to a few that have a negative impact on your landscape. Scientists state that 98 percent of known species […]
Nathan Riggs
Migrating monarch butterflies have been spotted in San Antonio on their way to the oyamel forests of Michoacán, Mexico for winter hibernation.
Nathan Riggs
Ladybugs make for great natural pest control in your landscape since they feed on other insects to survive. But before you set them free to feed, follow our five tips […]
Nathan Riggs
Aphid populations can increase rapidly on a plant. Luckily, there are six simple ways to control them. Summertime can be a great time for outdoor fun — sun, sand, games […]
Nathan Riggs
Got white grubs, fleas and fungus gnats?? Get beneficial nematodes. They’ll attack these insect pests, but are harmless to humans, plants and pets. Spring is well underway and warm temperatures […]
Nathan Riggs
Get your irrigation system into great shape for the summer season and you’ll see a smaller waistline on your water bill! Irrigation systems represent a convenient avenue by which homeowners […]
Nathan Riggs
Got ants in your plants? There are three simple ingredients you can mix to create an effective and natural treatment for fire ants. Temperatures are warming, plants are blooming and […]
Nathan Riggs
Pledged to become a champion for monarch butterflies, San Antonio has taken the lead in becoming a place where monarchs can live, breed and feed along their migration path from […]
Nathan Riggs
The weather is changing and your landscape doesn’t have that unquenchable thirst for water as it did in the summer. October marks the time of year to make some or […]
Nathan Riggs
Some of the cool season herbs can be used as food plants for many common butterfly caterpillars. Popular cool season herbs that double as caterpillar foods include parsley, fennel, dill, […]
Nathan Riggs
Keeping a beautiful landscape in South Texas requires a delicate balance of water, nutrients, sunlight and the right plants to make everything work in harmony. If any of these facets […]
Nathan Riggs
As hot weather sets in and homeowners watch their landscapes wither into summer dormancy, many ask: “How much do I need to water my landscape this summer to keep it […]
Nathan Riggs
As spring turns into summer, shade trees are full of leaves and pecan trees are working overtime to produce a pecan crop for fall. Unfortunately for local homeowners and pecan […]
Nathan Riggs
Butterflies and moths are sometimes confused with one another. There’s one easy way to tell them apart: look at the antennae. Butterfly antennae will end with either a knob or […]
Nathan Riggs
The final installment in our four-part series on the insect roles in the landscape will cover a topic that isn’t necessarily recognized as a role that insects play – breaking […]
Nathan Riggs
Thanks to wonderful rains last fall and early this spring, wildflowers across South Texas are producing one of the most spectacular displays in recent years. Texas is known far and […]
Nathan Riggs
Last time we talked about the importance of insects as predators in the landscape. This third article in the series talks a little about the two percent of all insect […]
Nathan Riggs
In a previous article, we reviewed the importance of insects as pollinators for flowers, fruits and other plants in the landscape. This time we’ll take a look an often overlooked […]
Nathan Riggs
There are more than 1 million species of insects identified on Earth, and scientists believe there are millions more that are still undiscovered. Within these species, experts agree that 98 […]
Nathan Riggs
Anyone who lives in South or East Texas where deep sandy or sandy loam soils exist knows about leaf cutter ants (Atta texana). Sometimes called cut ants or parasol ants, leaf cutter […]
Nathan Riggs
Anytime there is a beautiful landscape on display, there are insects lurking in the background to take advantage of opportunities for food and shelter among the plants. For some, insects […]
