by Shane Harris, Regional Extension Agent
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Published  in The Outlook and The Dadeville Record


Restore the Look of the Landscape with Mulch

Home improvement is the big thing these days.  And I guess it should be because it is an amazing money-making business.  Everywhere you look there are stores, TV shows, commercials, and magazine articles about redesigning the home or making drastic changes to spruce up the look.  Although the inside of the home is definitely important, one must not forget about the outside.  The outside is where the first impression always occurs – call it curb appeal.  When wanting to improve the look of the home and grounds, don’t forget about the landscape plantings.  Just as you would put on a new coat of paint every so often on a wall, try to apply mulch each year or so to the landscape beds.  Not only will your plants love you for it, new mulch will do wonders to restore the beauty of the entire property.

Fall is such a great time to renew the landscape with new mulch because so much is available.  Much of what we can use for mulch, such as pine straw, is falling from the trees and, therefore, doesn’t cost us a thing. If it is going to be raked up anyway, then the best place to discard it is in the flowerbed and garden.  Although fallen leaves may not be the most attractive, they can easily be used as a layer of mulch.  If you really don’t like the look of leaves, put a layer down pine straw or pine or hardwood bark mulch on top of the leaves.  The negative is you will have to purchase the bark mulch and maybe the pine straw if you desire to upgrade the look from free to expensive.  Remember, only apply a total depth of three inches.

For gardeners, mulch is the next best thing to compost.  Mulch that is placed around plants reduces evaporation from the soil surface, reduces erosion and prevents soil crusting, suppresses weeds, recycles nutrient elements to the soil as it breaks down, and gives the landscape a more attractive and formal appearance. If you are wanting to really get the home and landscape looking good for the Christmas season, then put mulch number one on your wish list; better yet, go ahead and add it to your “honey-do” list.   

Asian Ladybugs

The much recent colder weather has triggered Asian lady bug beetles to seek out a warm place to live. To the dismay of homeowners, swarms of this species of ladybugs typically target and invade our warm and cozy homes in search for a comfortable place to overwinter.  One or few might be okay, but when you have tens to hundreds of ladybugs entering into and congregating inside the home, these good insects abruptly become nuisance pests. 

Considering that ladybugs are beneficial insects that eat bad insects, one might hesitate to bother them. But they don't belong inside the house, especially in large numbers.  If you decide to get rid of them, forget about using insecticides.  Most are not labeled for indoors, nor are they very effective. Prevention is the key to keeping ladybugs from getting into homes. Caulk cracks along windows, doors, or other portals of entry.  Seal and screen attic vents. Install tight fitting door sweeps. Seal utility openings (pipes, dryer vents, cable TV wiring ports, etc.) with caulk, steel wool, or other mesh. Remember, a space less than 1/8 inch will allow ladybugs entry.

Once ladybugs get inside the home, use a vacuum to remove them or a broom to sweep them up. You can then discard them back outside.  Although they don't bite or sting, lady-bugs will stain carpeting, wallpaper, upholstery, and bedding when crushed or disturbed.

Mice in the House

Mice can be a problem during the winter because they enter buildings looking for food and shelter.  House mice will eat just about anything, but they prefer grains and seeds. However, they eagerly consume foods high in fat, protein, or sugar. They get the water they need from the foods they eat.

 

To control mice, the first step is to clean up around buildings. Poor sanitation is one of the basic reasons for high populations of rodents in urban and suburban areas. Pick up all garbage and litter, and store it in a rodentproof container. In addition to removing possible sources of food, remove piles of trash or debris that could serve as cover.  Do not store seed, birdseed, pet food, and other grains in their paper bags but also in some type of rodentproof storage container.

 

Other control methods that may be necessary are traps and bait stations. Traps are the best method of rodent control where poisons are unwanted or inadvisable. Traps may be baited with a variety of food items; but peanut butter is a good choice.


For more information, contact the Tallapoosa County Extension Office at (256) 825-1050.