Let It Be

[F, Calla & Luca]

It's time for the pests to start showing up. I thought some of us might need a refresher in Poison Ivy. Gee,  I just went through 2 song tiles in 3 sentences. I do not let it be, however. I try to pull the poison ivy when it's small. I take a newspaper plastic bag to cover my arm, carefully pull the ivy and then carefully invert the bag and put it in the trash. If you think the plant has touched you at all, a followup wash with soap and water should take care of the problem. Your doodle could get the plant's oil on it's fur and you in turn could get the rash from petting the dog.
This ivy was not growing here, merely posing for pictures. The young growth is reddish. any part of the plants , or even inhaled fumes from burning it can give you the rash. Remember "leaves of three, let it be", There are many innocent plants in this category, however.

Anyone with pictures of some other pest like poison oak? We don't have that in the east.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I find it hard to see them as beautiful despite the iridescence. There was an exhibit, which unfortunately I never got to, in the museum in Newark, of all kinds of things, wallpaper designs, jewelry, etc. all made up of beetles, some of which were incredible colors. BTW, the PI looks lovely, too.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Especially when it turns red in the fall.
Before I knew what the Japanese beetles were, I thought they were just gorgeous. They look like they're made of green and orange chrome to me. But I think a lot of bugs are pretty or cute. I've been known to pet those furry black & brown caterpillars.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I just met a master gardener who said that if you want to kill the white flies on your plants to mix the water with the soap like Joanne's mixture but instead of salt she says to use a bit of white vinegar. She said to let it sit on the plants for a week or so and then hose them off.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

HERE IS ONE FOR ANTS:

Black Pepper. That's all. I go to Sam's Club or maybe you have a Costco and purchase a pound of wholesale size Black Pepper.

Sprinkle generously all around the outside of your home along the concrete bricks, also sprinkle into the cement cracks in the driveway. Ants will not cross black pepper. You may have to reapply again during the summer but it solves the problem in just a short time. Good Luck :) Ah Choo

[F, Calla & Luca]

What a great group we are. Thanks for all the good suggestions, ladies. How come we are all ladies, in this discussion, anyway?