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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (May 25, 2016)
A10 wallowa.com May 25, 2016 Wallowa County Chieftain GROW Seven places mosquitoes may be hiding Wallowa County Chieftain bery during the day. Thinning dense shrubbery to increase air low can help reduce the num- ber of adult mosquitoes in your yard. • Tree cavities. Each year, cavities in tree stumps and trunks are illed with water by rainfall or melting ice and snow, and mosquitoes may choose these holes for breeding. While it can be dificult to remove the standing water, a licensed pro- fessional can help identify and treat these areas. • Low points in the yard. Any areas lower than the rest of your yard may collect and hold stand- ing water. Make note of these areas when patrolling and be sure to inspect and drain them if necessary. Spring has sprung, which means that mosquito season is almost here. These tiny in- sects could be living, lying and breeding right in your yard, and you might not even know it. Mosquitoes aren’t just a nuisance, they are also a health threat. Some species common in the United States can carry and spread Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, West Nile virus and ca- nine heart worm. The irst sign of mosquito activity is usually buzzing from female mosqui- toes and their bites. Where mosquitoes breed Female mosquitoes can lay as many as 100 eggs at a time. They can lay eggs in just a few inches of standing water, mak- ing pinpointing breeding sites a challenge. To help homeown- ers, Entomologist Ron Harri- son, Ph.D., reveals seven plac- es mosquitoes like the most and offers advice on how to help keep them out of your yard. • Gutters. If enough debris is left to collect over time, dirty gutters can clog up and create pockets of water perfect for Courtesy of Getty images Female mosquitoes can lay as many as 100 eggs at a time. mosquito breeding. Cleaning gutters regularly to make sure water is lowing smoothly can help keep mosquitoes from breeding so close to your home. • Toys. They are an often overlooked source of stand- ing water, but toys can collect pockets of water and just a few inches is enough for a mosquito to raise a family. • Flower pots. Rainwater can collect in saucers under lower pots. If left to sit for days, the water becomes an ex- cellent breeding spot for mos- quitoes. • Bird baths. Even though birds eat a variety of insects, standing water in bird baths left Wallowa County Chieftain the possibilities are endless! 800 S River St. Enterprise, OR • 9am-5:30pm Monday - Friday • 9am-12pm Saturdays • 541-426-9228 tiple days, be prepared to ind a hotbed of hungry pests. • Plants. Some plants can hold water in their “mouths” and offer mosquitoes enough standing water to lay their eggs. Other shrubbery can serve as a hide-out for grown mosquitoes. In addition to blood, mosqui- toes feed on nectar from low- ers, so they often hide in shrub- Hardscaping can be easy Let us help bring your dream to life , unchecked for days at a time can become an oasis for female mosquitoes looking for a place to lay eggs. Inspect and change the water weekly to avoid an infestation. • Rain barrels. If water is used within a few days, it will likely not be enough time to create a mosquito problem, but if water is left standing for mul- Take back your yard It’s important to do a weekly inspection of your entire yard to locate and eliminate any stand- ing water. It’s also a good idea to encourage your neighbors to do the same so that mosquitoes aren’t traveling from their yard to yours. If you’ve done everything you can to help prevent mosqui- toes and are still having prob- lems, you may need a licensed professional. Hardscaping doesn’t have to be hard at all. In fact, with a little creativity and sweat equity, hardscaping can be an enjoyable experience that adds serious style points to your home’s outdoor areas. So what is hardscaping? It involves all of the design el- ements on your property that aren’t plants, grass or lowers. This sector of your landscap- ing strategy includes retaining walls, ire pits, decks, fences, paved walkways and sculp- tures. Many hardscaping-specif- ic specialty stores and con- tractors have popped up in recent years, as the practice has become big business. And because so many proj- ects involve factors that can effect yard slope, water drain- age and electrical add-ons, it may be your best bet to hire an accredited professional to help safely and compliantly achieve your outdoor vision. Do it yourself If you’re feeling handy and confident in handling certain projects, you can certainly save some mon- ey in your budget by doing the work yourself. If you do decide to go the DIY route, there are some things to re- member as you prepare. Research is key. Watch tutorials, talk with trained professionals, ask your hard- ware specialist – feeling comfortable scouting out a project will help you cover FREE DELIVE RY to Wallowa County! Courtesy photo Natural stone landscaping in home garden with steps and flowerbeds. your bases before you jump in. Also, check with your municipality to see if you need a permit and to ensure that you’re complying with local bylaws. Cater to the space Do you live in a country setting with ample space for outdoor additions? Or is your living situation more sub- urban with a limited yard? Either option can be greatly enhanced with strategically added touches. Outdoor kitchens, family rooms, barbecue areas, ire pits and greenhouses can all be awe-inspiring additions, if space allows. Smaller quar- ters may require only a stone walkway or outdoor sitting area to spruce things up. Analyze your space to make an educated decision on your hardscaping plans. Planning is key When adding outdoor el- ements, it isn’t necessary to build everything at once or in- corporate all items at the same time. As long as you have a plan for how the entire space will eventually be laid out, you can save yourself some time – and money – by wait- ing for great deals on cer- tain items before purchasing them for your hardscaping purposes. Nursery: 541-426-8733 118 Fish Hatchery Lane, LCB#7818 Enterprise Berries • Annuals • Perrennials Hanging Baskets • Color Bowls Trees • Shrubs Gift Certificates Available Landscaping: 541-910-1905 Nursery: 541-962-0641 10707 Walton Rd, Island City See us at both locations open 7 days a week