Fungus plaguing bats

News & Notes

Hewson Landscape, Inc.

SEPTEMBER 2014

Falling in love with Fall

Brisk weather, lovely colors and everything Pumpkin!

In This Issue

Field News

New Equipment

Northern Long Eared Bat

Greetings!

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

This has truly been one of our busiest and most productive seasons. We are scurrying to finish all that we have scheduled before the weather doesn't cooperate! We are in the process of renovating our 20 year old pool, which still surrounds me with nothing but dirt. What a project! The final product is always worth the wait and the inconvenience. Ah, the life of a contractor. I love it!

All the best,

Shelly Hewson

President, Hewson Landscape Inc.

F i e l d N e w s

We are still cleaning up the remnants of Hurricane Sandy.

NEW ADDITIONS AT

Our newest "reconditioned" maintenance truck - 2004 Isuzu NPR Box

Woods Brush Hog we picked up from Myerstown, PA - a true work horse in the field!

Northern Long Eared Bat

The center of controversy for the working class.

The Northern Long eared bat is one of 6 species of bats that call New Jersey home. These bats are found in 38 other states and 5 Canadian provinces as well.

Over the past 8 years, almost 6 million of these bats have succumbed to a disease called White Nose Syndrome. This is a disease that only affects bats and is not caused or spread by humans. Cave dwelling bats are most susceptible to WNS, since the fungus forms due to the humidity and temperatures in caves. So they have a cause and effect, however, there is no cure or "precautionary" measures that can be taken to prevent the spread of this disease.

Due to how many bats are dying from this disease, and how dramatically their numbers are dropping (species has declined 99% ) the US Fish and Wildlife service is involved. They have proposed adding the Northern Long Eared bat to the endangered species list.

That is where the controversy lies. Bats dwell in forest settings and caves. If they are put on the Endangered Species list, that would mean a lot of changes to the forestry industry and mining, along with tourism and a variety of other industries that would be affected.

NJLICA is pursuing this as a legislative issue for contractors across the United States. A trip to Washington, D.C. may be necessary to voice our concern. We will fight to keep contractors working, while keeping everyone informed while working towards a win win solution.

The WEED SCENE

Fall may be knocking on our doors, but weeds are still in abundance. Many species even thrive throughout the winter.

When we gear up to kick some weed butt at home though, are we making matters worse? Sometimes. Yes, we actually are. Weeds are invasive. They are mean and hardy outlaws that don't need any loving to thrive. Some weeds can root down 30 feet, others produce thousands (upwards to 100,000 - depending on the species) of seeds that can stay viable for up to 50 years. Weeds can even be pretty. The photo above is of an Ivy Leaved Morning Glory, which is an annual vine. As pretty as it is, it is wild and spreads aggressively in an open area or even over a landscape in the blink of an eye. They produce thousands of seeds that can live on for decades.

A lot of weed seeds are such tiny minuscules that we do not even notice them. They get picked up by the wind, our shoes, tires, our pets, birds, insects, wild animals and water.

So while we have no control over how the weed got into our lawn or planting bed, or sidewalk crevice, we can attempt to get rid of it before it takes over.

Starting with the root seems to be the most effective manner in remedying a weed infestation. Dandelions, and crab grass can be pulled by hand or using a forked weeding tool to be removed by the root. Bermuda grass is a little more complicated, their roots actually produce a chemical that harm surrounding plants when they are disturbed. So hand pulling would be the most effective method early in the season, otherwise, leave it alone until it dies off.

Next spring, while prepping your beds, try using wet newspaper or black plastic as organic weed barriers prior to mulching. I have treated soil and hand weeded, planted, installed the wet newspaper and then mulched and it worked wonderfully!

OR you can just as easily buy some non selective herbicide, such as Round Up, and spray away at the weeds until they wither and die.

INSECTS

We can't live without them, but we do not have to live with them!

Although insects are a vital to the ecosystem, they tend to be unwelcome house guests, and over all, are not pleasant to be around. Many adult insects simply die off after the first frost arrives. Other insects need to overwinter outside and can be found in the dirt and in trees or under bark. Some insects seek shelter in our warm and toasty houses. The ones that make it inside usually will die off pretty soon after due to lack of food sources.

Some shelter seeking bugs include stink bugs, lady bugs and box elder bugs. If there is a good thing about bugs in your home, you would be happy to know that none of these particular bugs cause structural damage or invade your dry goods. But they can come in swarms. They actually send out a chemical signal to their friends once they have scoped out your home and deemed it suitable for the winter. If you notice you have been invaded, don't go on a squashing spree, instead get out the vacuum and suck them up. When threatened or killed, stink bugs give off a foul odor and lady bugs will secrete a liquid that stains the surface.

There are a lot of ways to safeguard your home from bugs. It starts with a little fall clean up from the outside perimeter working your way in. Starting with the foundation, clear away any debris, leaves or spider webs that you may see, while also checking for any holes where cable or electric goes into the house. If you have a basement, make sure there are no gaps around the windows and if there are screens, that they are in place and have no holes. Check all windows and doors for any other spider webs, holes and gaps and make sure to remedy them accordingly. Go floor by floor if you have to with the same checklist. If you have an attic, do the same, vacuum any debris or dust and existing spider webs. Secure the window, check eaves, soffits, vents and or fans.

Also, don't forget to check your plants that you will be bringing back in doors! Clean the pots thoroughly and inspect all leaves and flowers for any bugs trying to hitch a ride.

According to Western Pest Services, the top 5 fall pests are:

1. Rodents

2. Flies

3. Stinging Insects

4. Ants

5. Occasional Invaders - The bugs mentioned above

Hopefully you will enjoy a bug free home through all the cold months!

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