Horticulture Hotline 07/22/19
By Bill Lamson-Scribner
Mosquitoes, roaches, fleas, flies, chinch bugs, army worms,
wasps, spiders, spittlebugs, and mice have become much more visible with the
hot weather. Localized pop up thunder storms (gray leaf spot) have dominated
our weather, so there is no telling how much rain we are getting across the
area as a whole.
With three Possum stores in the area, I get a regular dose
of how crazy our weather is in the Lowcountry. Possum’s West (West Ashley)
might get an inch of rain, Possum’s North (North Charleston) might get a “spit”
and Possum’s East (Mt. Pleasant) nothing at all. It is amazing how the
waterways affect the weather patterns.
The Lowcountry is one area that a rain gauge is a must. Rain
gauges come in all shapes and sizes. Some are very expensive and record your
rainfall, and others are very basic and are less than five dollars. You can
make your own “rain gauge” very easily from anything that has an equal top
diameter and bottom diameter. Soup cans, tuna fish cans, a coffee cup, or an
empty can of canned possum (the other white meat) make great rain gauges. Be
sure to place your rain gauge in an area where your house or trees are not
going to skew your results.
Over the weekend, I was surveying the yard for potential
mosquito breeding sites. We have this roll around basketball hoop in the
driveway that requires water in the base to stabilize it. Of course someone
lost the cap to the place you add water and now there is a great place for mosquitoes
to breed. The slightest dent on my trash can lid also collects water where
there were mosquito larva. I keep 3 sizes of measuring cups on a window sill
near the hose where I mix up my “solutions” for killing weeds, fungus, and
insects around the house. Rainwater had got in them, and you guessed it – more
mosquito larvae. Tarp on my boat, magnolia leaves, five gallon bucket (s) ...Oh
yeah, the rain gauge had mosquito larvae in it as well. Always empty out your
rain gauge!
With all the insects that are active in the yard Cyonara
Lawn and Garden Concentrate or RTS is an excellent product with a very broad
label and a low price point. Cyonara is labeled to spray the outside of your
house to keep roaches in check and even your vegetable garden, so you know it
is safe. If you prefer organic products, EcoVia might be more to your liking.
Always read, understand and follow product label. The
product label is a Federal Law.
