DEAR ABBY: Recently, my neighbor, who has always been eccentric, has embarked on an unusual gardening project. Instead of traditional plants, he’s turned his backyard into a sprawling sanctuary for rescued wild animals. At first, it seemed harmless, but the situation has escalated. His yard now attracts wildlife, including raccoons, skunks and even the occasional … Read more
I’ve seen a rash of social media posts recommending the application of sticky-tape bands around tree trunks to prevent spotted lantern flies and other garden pests from accessing tree canopies and munching on foliage. But those bands also catch caterpillars, butterflies, bees and birds, which would be difficult to free without ripping off their limbs or breaking their … Read more
When bugs or pests cross their path, one in 10 Americans enter “exterminator mode” faster than you can say “buzz off.” More specifically, according to a new survey of 2,000 homeowners or renters with a yard or lawn, 15% of respondents will squish a bug regardless of where they see it — inside or outside. That … Read more
Social media users and authorities agree that it’s “stomp”-the -spotted-lanternfly season. The invasive insect, native to China and parts of Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and India, has spread and multiplied in 14 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Spotted lanternflies were first detected on trees and fruit in Pennsylvania in September 2014. Now they can … Read more
You’ll go coconuts for this news. A study published in the iScience journal Wednesday explored how different soaps repel mosquitoes, concluding that coconut could be the magic scent that keeps the pesky insects away. “Everybody smells different, even after the application of soap; your physiological status, the way you live, what you eat, and the … Read more