As happenings cancel left and right because of coronavirus, millions are left taking unexpected “staycations.” They’ve also been reacquainted with an all-too-regular outside visitor: mosquitoes.
If your grass has random discolored patches, or leaves on your trees look like someone attacked them with a scissors, chances are you can thank Japanese beetles.
Come late spring or early summer, you probably can't wait to get out on your sail boat. Be aware that you might have some uninvited company.
The hits just keep coming, in the form of more unwelcomed six-legged visitors whose real home is across the waters.
A surge of offensive bugs has washed over our Ozaukee County neighborhood Pewaukee and Wisconsin in the past two decades: the Japanese beetle and gypsy moth to name a few. All are native to foreign countries. All have caused environmental and economic havoc in the United States, where no natural predators exist to control them.
Tired of having to continually wash cobwebs off the side of the garage? Or, worse yet, power wash or paint every few years to get rid of built-up webs?
Something inching up on your body usually creates a range of reactions: bothered at best, downright scary at worst.
In a world of unwanted crawling critters, ticks might be the most unwelcome of all.
Sometimes, believe it or not, more is truly less. Mosquito repellent spraying is a prime example.
Consider fertilizing your lawn. Do you really need six or seven applications? Of course not. Starter fertilizer in the spring, weed and feed in summer, and winterizer in the fall. Any more, and you risk doing more damage than good.
Ticks are disgusting insects. They can be hazardous, too. The pinhead-size deer tick (one of two tick species in this area) can harbor Lyme disease.
The Mosquito Guy's green and safe backyard treatment will keep away ticks which can carry Lyme disease but will not harm kids, bees, butterflies or earthworms.
Lake McHenry