What’s Bugging You? Fall Edition

Deterring Deer

People try all sorts of methods to keep deer from destroying their landscape and gardens:

• 8 ft. fencing
• Electric fencing
• Big, loud dogs
• Deer repellents
• Predator urine
• Motion detectors

All of these methods work but are limited in their effectiveness. Fencing is costly and unsightly. Repellents and urine wash away.  Deer are creatures of habit and they are easily scared.  Anything you can do to mix up their habits or make them think there is danger nearby might be enough to make them go elsewhere in search of food.  But, deer aren’t foolish.  If they realize the danger isn’t real, they will return.  Therefore, you must rotate any scare tactics you try and reapply repellents frequently.

Plants Deer Won’t Like

Deer in large herds with insufficient food will eat almost any garden vegetation, particularly in harsh winters. You can minimize deer damage by choosing plants that are the least favored and avoiding those that are the most liked, among their favorites are azaleas, rhododendrons, yews, roses, Japanese maples, winged euonymous, hemlocks and arborvitae. The following is a list of plants rarely damaged by deer.

TREES

Chinese Paper Birch

Colorado Blue Spruce

Dragon Lady Holly

Douglas Fir

Japanese Cedar

San Jose Holly

Serviceberry

Scotch Pine

SHRUBS & CLIMBERS

Barberry

Bearberry

Blueberry Elder

Boxwood

Caryopteris

Common Buckhorn

Creeping Wintergreen

European Privet

Japanese Andromeda

Japanese Plum Yew

Leucothoe

Rose of Sharon

Russian Olive

Stink Bugs

Temperatures are dropping and stink bugs are seeking a warm habitat for the winter. Your home is the perfect location!

Stink bugs emerge in the early spring and mate from April to May. They lay their eggs on the underside of leaves in masses of 20-30 and they produce just one generation per year.  Adult stink bugs can cause serious crop damage to vegetables and fruits as well as to ornamental plants. In the fall, up until the first frost, stink bugs begin moving inside to overwinter.

The best way to control stink bugs is to address the situation before they enter the home.

Prior to Home Entrance

• Seal all cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, chimneys, air conditioning units, etc.
• Repair or replace all damaged window and door screens.
• In the fall, spray a synthetic pyrethroid, like___________________, on all exterior home surfaces to prevent stink bugs from entering through any missed openings. Sunlight breaks down insecticides, therefore, weekly applications are necessary.

If stink bugs do enter the home, don’t worry, this insect is only considered a nuisance insect to humans as they neither bite, sting nor create structural damage. When threatened, however, they do emit a defensive odor that is very unpleasant. And, a little good news, stink bugs will not procreate over the winter.

After Home Entrance

• When a stink bug is sited, gently pick it up using a tissue, being careful not to squish the insect.  Flush down the toilet.
• Attempt to locate the stink bug’s entrance area usually found around window and door trim, cracks behind baseboards, exhaust fans, ceiling lights and fans. Seal opening with caulk.

Insecticides should not be used once stink bugs have gained access to the home.