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Greetings!
Contrary to what some folks may assume, pests don't just go away during fall and winter. Bed bugs, ants, rodents, stored product pests, roaches, many species of spiders (including the Black Widow), just to mention a few, overwinter as adults and many remain active during those times. The articles in this newsletter discuss some of the issues that you may face this year as unwanted guests, with bad manners, attempt to move to your home for warmth, shelter, water and food. We've also included some helpful information, showing you what you can do to protect your yard and landscape from invasion by Fall and Winter germinating weeds. |
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Black Widows in Winter? | | |
 | | photo by: Velo Steve |
The Western Black Widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus, is an unwelcome guest in our homes, businesses and landscapes. We like to think that Black Widows die off in the winter but, alas, it isn't true. This is a hardy species of spider which has a life span of up to two years. In California they tend to overwinter in sheltered locations such as wood piles, children's play structures, under lumber, rock walls, dog houses, under and around unused vehicles and especially in garages, homes and businesses where the temperatures are warmer than outdoors. There are a thousand possibilities as to where they might lurk. The point here is that we can't be casual about it. Because of the special hazard black widows present, vigilance is always in order and pest control measures are advisable; even in the dead of winter. Other things you can do to reduce the chance of an unfortunate encounter are:
- Reduce or eliminate clutter indoors and out to reduce harborage.
- Wear gloves whenever working in and around areas where black widows may be.
- Control other pests around the home and yard. Reduced spider prey means fewer spiders.
- Sweep away webs on a regular basis to discourage them. The more frequent, the better.
- If you see one, dispatch it. A fly swatter works wonders, if you can hit the spider before it scurries to its hiding place.
- Maintain awareness of your surroundings and what might be there; even in winter.
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| Please Don't Transport Firewood! | |  Pests and Diseases are Spreading Via Transported Firewood
This fall and winter, as in the past, folks are engaging in the familiar tradition of gathering firewood to warm their homes with the glow of real wood fires. It's a wonderful time honored activity but it does have a dark side: Firewood can contain serious plant pests and diseases with the potential to wipe out entire species and forests. These dangerous organisms are easily transported when firewood is moved from place to place, sometimes over long distances.
The problem of imported, exotic pests and diseases has attained alarming proportions. In the Eastern and Midwestern United States it isn't unusual to see entire stands of dead and dying trees, victims of the emerald ash borer, Gypsy Moth, Asian Longhorn Beetle, Wooly Hemlock Adelgid and other pests. In California large numbers of large, stately, native oak trees are dying, Read entire story |
| FALL WEED CONTROL | | | An ounce of Prevention....
In northern California Fall and Winter are mild seasons during which a wide variety of seeds germinate and become established. Since most of us spend these times indoors and pay little attention to our landscapes, these invasive plants grow and develop, unnoticed, providing us with a lot of yard work in Spring. Here are some things you can do to reduce or prevent excessive weed growth on your property:
Read the full article
Contact us to schedule an evaluation and quote for weed and vegetation control treatment program. |
| Old Fashioned Beef Stew | |
One of the dishes I enjoy this time of year is beef stew. And my favorite is an old family version that my grandmother used to make. (I've embellished it a bit.) This is a true comfort food that's sure to warm you up on those crisp Autumn days. The recipe incorporates some nutrition-packed ingredients popular since the first European settlers arrived on the North American continent.
Ingredients:
3 quarts beef stock
2 lbs. beef stew meat
2 stalks celery
6 carrots
6 stewing onions
6 medium potatoes, not peeled
2 medium rutabagas
2 medium turnips
2 medium parsnips
1/4 cup parsley (if desired)
red wine
fresh chives
sour cream
Preparation:
Peel onions, carrots, rutabagas, turnips and parsnips and cut into desired sizes. Cut potatoes in half. Cut celery stalks to desired size pieces.
Cooking:
Brown stew meat in large pot (5 quart recommended). When meat is browned add beef stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1/2 hour. Add wine vegetables, potatoes and parsley. Cover and simmer for one hour or until desired tenderness. If you wish, add rue to thicken.
Serve: garnished with a tablespoon of sour cream and a pinch of chives.
Freeze left-over stew in serving size containers for quick meals. |
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