I met a nice family today, transplants from the "other" coast, Northeast,
Washington to be exact. We got to talking about how to get rid of
critters, deer resistant plants and things in general that are specific
to this region versus where they are coming from. Having purchased a new
house and with two young daughters their concerns were warranted. So as
we talked, I noticed how different things were. Things that we here in
Virginia might take for granted that for someone else, might send up
warning signals.
Virginia is known for some quirks, but there is hardly anything to fear outright. Or is there?
ticks Those dreaded little critters of which I have some experience. I wrote last year about the one that got me and gave me Lyme disease and literally kicked my butt. While there is not a whole lot you can do to completely rid your self or yard of them, there are steps to keeping them at arms length. If you have wooded areas around your lawn, keep the debris piled a few feet away, and keep weeds or other undergrowth in check. If you are outside during the summer months, especially children and pets, check each night that you don't have any uninvited guests. Getting any tick off of you, even if it is dug in, within 24 hours, will probably keep the disease from entering your body. It's not a perfect science, but it takes that long for the bacteria to enter your body. So each night, check thoroughly, as the ticks are sometimes small and might look like a small mole or freckle.
black widow spiders I have seen more of these creatures over the last few years. They love to hide under rocks or other objects that aren't moved frequently. They make a nest from silk webbing that is not in the least tidy compared to other spiders. I keep an eye out in places I have seen them before and use caution when moving anything. So far so good.
other insects Some are just not common or not found at all in other regions. This family noted that they have seen what we know as earwigs, but didn't know what they were. They are harmless but look menacing, with large "pincer-like" appendages on their derriere, liking moist organic environments, and might seek shelter through a small gap in the doors or windows when the rains get heavy enough. Spraying around your homes door and window openings will deter them from entering. Something you might need to do a couple of times a year.
deer I have written on this before, May 24th to be exact. There are ways to deter them. Buying plants that they don't like is easy, they are tagged as such by most big nurseries, but can get a bit boring. I want plants that I like but they think is a buffet. Planting chives throughout your garden area, Rosemary, Thyme and lemon scented plants like lemon balm and lemon grass, keeps them away for the most part. Two or three lines of fishing line strung along the borders of your property, especially from the woodland side of the property will keep them away for awhile. If they try to enter your property at night and touch it against their body, they feel uncomfortable and will feel the resistance. It is also a cheap alternative to actual fencing and much cheaper. It is almost invisible also.
My new west coast friends told me that they have driven to their new house, of which they have not as of yet taken possession, and there are deer just lounging in their yard as they drive up. I asked them if they had a dog, as they were also worried about pesticides that might harm pets, and they said they had a yellow lab. I told them that was great! After a few scares from a barking dog, the deer might not return as often. They looked a little sheepish and they told me it might be a problem because he is pretty lethargic. It reminded me of Funny Farm with Chevy Chase, and "Yellow Dog". Funny movie.
poisonous plants I thought everywhere had poison ivy. They don't have it in Washington state apparently, so word of caution to those moving to, or visiting Virginia. Use caution. This stuff is nasty. "Leaves of three, leave it be", is an adage that I was taught as a child. I've had some in my childhood, and every once in a blue moon I will get a couple of small blisters on the insides of my fingers. Best rule is to identify where they are during the growing season, and stay away. In the late fall, you can cut the main stems, especially if they are climbing trees, and it will kill them. They make a Poison Ivy killer, it is a heavier duty formula of RoundUp, made by that killer company we all now hate. So I won't buy any. I prefer using the identify then cut method.
These methods are by no means an end all be all for these problems. I have just found it hard to use the amount of chemicals we are so used to being told we need by all the advertisers out there. I use chemicals very sparingly, and of those I use, I make sure it is not made by companies like Monsanto or Bayer. Chemicals are not selective. They will not just kill ticks and mosquitoes. It kills all insect life in your yard, and the bees and worms and turtles and frogs of the world have enough problems without me signing their death warrant.
Welcome to Virginia. It's a wild state out there. Thankfully.
Virginia is known for some quirks, but there is hardly anything to fear outright. Or is there?
 |
| Thyme |
ticks Those dreaded little critters of which I have some experience. I wrote last year about the one that got me and gave me Lyme disease and literally kicked my butt. While there is not a whole lot you can do to completely rid your self or yard of them, there are steps to keeping them at arms length. If you have wooded areas around your lawn, keep the debris piled a few feet away, and keep weeds or other undergrowth in check. If you are outside during the summer months, especially children and pets, check each night that you don't have any uninvited guests. Getting any tick off of you, even if it is dug in, within 24 hours, will probably keep the disease from entering your body. It's not a perfect science, but it takes that long for the bacteria to enter your body. So each night, check thoroughly, as the ticks are sometimes small and might look like a small mole or freckle.
black widow spiders I have seen more of these creatures over the last few years. They love to hide under rocks or other objects that aren't moved frequently. They make a nest from silk webbing that is not in the least tidy compared to other spiders. I keep an eye out in places I have seen them before and use caution when moving anything. So far so good.
other insects Some are just not common or not found at all in other regions. This family noted that they have seen what we know as earwigs, but didn't know what they were. They are harmless but look menacing, with large "pincer-like" appendages on their derriere, liking moist organic environments, and might seek shelter through a small gap in the doors or windows when the rains get heavy enough. Spraying around your homes door and window openings will deter them from entering. Something you might need to do a couple of times a year.
deer I have written on this before, May 24th to be exact. There are ways to deter them. Buying plants that they don't like is easy, they are tagged as such by most big nurseries, but can get a bit boring. I want plants that I like but they think is a buffet. Planting chives throughout your garden area, Rosemary, Thyme and lemon scented plants like lemon balm and lemon grass, keeps them away for the most part. Two or three lines of fishing line strung along the borders of your property, especially from the woodland side of the property will keep them away for awhile. If they try to enter your property at night and touch it against their body, they feel uncomfortable and will feel the resistance. It is also a cheap alternative to actual fencing and much cheaper. It is almost invisible also.
My new west coast friends told me that they have driven to their new house, of which they have not as of yet taken possession, and there are deer just lounging in their yard as they drive up. I asked them if they had a dog, as they were also worried about pesticides that might harm pets, and they said they had a yellow lab. I told them that was great! After a few scares from a barking dog, the deer might not return as often. They looked a little sheepish and they told me it might be a problem because he is pretty lethargic. It reminded me of Funny Farm with Chevy Chase, and "Yellow Dog". Funny movie.
poisonous plants I thought everywhere had poison ivy. They don't have it in Washington state apparently, so word of caution to those moving to, or visiting Virginia. Use caution. This stuff is nasty. "Leaves of three, leave it be", is an adage that I was taught as a child. I've had some in my childhood, and every once in a blue moon I will get a couple of small blisters on the insides of my fingers. Best rule is to identify where they are during the growing season, and stay away. In the late fall, you can cut the main stems, especially if they are climbing trees, and it will kill them. They make a Poison Ivy killer, it is a heavier duty formula of RoundUp, made by that killer company we all now hate. So I won't buy any. I prefer using the identify then cut method.
These methods are by no means an end all be all for these problems. I have just found it hard to use the amount of chemicals we are so used to being told we need by all the advertisers out there. I use chemicals very sparingly, and of those I use, I make sure it is not made by companies like Monsanto or Bayer. Chemicals are not selective. They will not just kill ticks and mosquitoes. It kills all insect life in your yard, and the bees and worms and turtles and frogs of the world have enough problems without me signing their death warrant.
Welcome to Virginia. It's a wild state out there. Thankfully.
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