(Oneida County, NY – June 2013) You may have noticed that it has been raining………. While it is good news for those who have well water, the abundance of rain that will be stagnating in containers is going to provide the perfect habitat for mosquitos to develop.
The first defense against the mosquitos would be to empty out the containers and store them in a location where water will not accumulate in them.
For those of you who have manmade backyard gold fish ponds, abandoned swimming pools, or other large items that collect water that may become stagnant (tires). Larvacide pouches are available for FREE from Oneida County Soil and Water. 736-3334.
These chemical pouches are not to be placed in lakes, ponds or streams or in waters that flow/connect into lakes, ponds or streams. They should not be placed in water that may be used for drinking or swimming.
Visit this website for more information: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2485.html
We may also notice an abundance of ticks as they thrive in these cool damp conditions.
If you find an attached tick call your health care provider. Your risk of acquiring a tick-borne illness depends on many factors, including where you live, what type of tick bit you, and how long the tick was attached.
Modify your landscape to create Tick-Safe Zones. Regularly remove leaf litter and clear tall grasses and brush around homes, and place wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to keep ticks away from recreational areas, and keep play areas and playground equipment away from shrubs, bushes, and other vegetation.
Consider using a chemical control agent. Effective tick control chemicals are available for use by the homeowner, or they can be applied by a professional pest control expert, and even limited applications can greatly reduce the number of ticks. A single springtime application of acaricide can reduce the population of ticks that cause Lyme disease by 68–100%.
Discourage deer. Removing plants that attract deer and constructing physical barriers may help discourage deer from entering your yard and bringing ticks with them.
Prevent Ticks on Animals by using control products. This will prevent family pets from bringing ticks into the home. Consult your veterinarian and be sure to use these products according to the package instructions.
Visit http://www.cdc.gov/Features/StopTicks/ for more about tick control.
Finally, wear your boots because rain or shine the 17th Annual Herb and Flower Festival will take place at the Parker F. Scripture Botanical Gardens in Oriskany on June 22 9am-3:30pm. The festival provides one stop shopping for gardening enthusiasts. 40 local vendors will be setting up tents in and around the gardens surrounding the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County.
Do you have gardening questions? Need to know where local farmers markets are? Looking for childcare or educational opportunities for youth? Visit the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County webpage at cceoneida.com or call 736-3394.