Extension Expert Has Five Tips To Reduce Mosquitoes Around Your Home
August 14, 2016
During Florida’s wet summers, your backyard or patio area can easily become a breeding area for container mosquitoes, said Jim DeValerio, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension horticulture agent. Residents should still take measures to prevent mosquitoes from living and breeding in their home landscapes, he said.
Here are DeValerio’s five tips homeowners can use to reduce mosquitoes on their properties.
- Use airy, open landscaping. “Mosquitoes thrive in dense, humid environments,” said DeValerio, so landscapes with plants with heavy foliage growing close together are very attractive. “Thin out bushes and trees so that things don’t get overgrown and become a jungle,” he said.
- Flush, drain or cover things that may catch and hold water. While most people know that mosquitoes, such as those that can carry Zika, thrive in standing water, it’s not always easy to identify places where water can collect. For example, plants such as bromeliads can catch water in their leaves and become breeding areas, DeValerio noted. He recommends flushing out plants such as bromeliads every two to three days. Other commonly overlooked containers include holes in trees, dishes under potted plants, bird baths and sagging boat covers.
- Be on the lookout for all mosquitoes, not just the species capable of transmitting Zika. “Although Aedes aegypti – the Yellow Fever mosquito – and Aedes albopictus – the Asian tiger mosquito, are a concern, there are other mosquitoes that can be found in containers and can spread diseases, such as West Nile fever and encephalitis, dog heartworms and equine encephalitis” DeValerio said. ““It is never a good idea to let a mosquito bite you, no matter what kind it is.”
- Prevent rain barrels or cisterns from becoming containers for mosquitoes. “You can put a fiberglass window screen over the opening of a rain barrel or cistern that will prevent adult mosquitoes from laying eggs in the barrel,” DeValerio said. “You can also add mosquito dunks to the water; these are products that contain special bacteria that kill mosquito larvae,” he said. “However, with any product that controls insects, always read and follow the label. It’s the law.”
- Make sure that your landscape is well drained. Check that puddles aren’t forming on your landscape, and that drains and gutters aren’t clogged, DeValerio said. It’s also important to keep landscapes generally free of debris, he said, because a fallen leaf can become a container for water.
DeValerio added that it’s a myth that mosquitoes can be 100 percent controlled. “It’s all about management and taking precautions,” he said. “You need to be aware of where mosquitoes can populate and what they can transmit.”
Pictured below: Plants such as bromeliads can catch water in their leaves and become breeding areas for mosquitoes. DeValerio recommends flushing these plants out every two to three days. Photo by Phil Lounibos UF/IFAS for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
CPO Selectees Spruce Up Cantonment Horse Rescue
August 14, 2016
A group of Pensacola area Class 123 chief petty officer selectees spent their Saturday sprucing up around Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment.
The CPO selectees completed many needed tasks around the facility, including painting, carpentry, mowing, trimming and much more in just a few hours.
“We appreciate our military men and women who always focus on their mission until the job is complete, never murmuring or complaining,” Panhandle Equine Rescue President Diane Lowery said.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, PER was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County.
West Florida Public Libraries Announce Summer Reading Club Winners
August 12, 2016
The West Florida Library has drawn the winners for their Summer Reading Club prizes.
Winners are:
Bonus Log Level 1
0-5 years old – Pedal car firetruck – Nicholas Weidner
6-11 years old – Kindle fire – Andres Townsend
12-17 years old – Kindle Fire – Jeremiah Sorrels
Bonus Log Level 2
0-5 years old – Pedal car firetruck – Galen Schwartz
6-11 years old – 20″ Fat tire bike – Cali Zorda
12-17 years old – 26″ Fat tire bike – Maggie Brown
Bonus Log Level 3
0-5 years old – Pedal car firetruck – Evan Hadden
6-11 years old – Recumbent Bike – Amelia Hastings
6-11 years old – Fire truck ride to school (6 winners) – Garrett Wiggin, Elle Houk, Brogan Dougherty, Victoria Coleman, Gavin Bramblett, David Skutt
12-17 years old – Recumbent Bike – Nathan Griffin
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Students Head Back To Class (With Photo Gallery)
August 11, 2016
Wednesday was the first day of school across the area, with tens of thousands of students heading back to class.
We asked NorthEscambia.com readers to submit their back to school photos.
For a photo gallery, click here.
We apologize, but due to a tremendous response, we were unable to publish all the photos we received, and we are unable to add additional photos to the gallery.
Pictured top: Alexia Olson, third grade at Molino Park Elementary. Pictured inset: Brooke Odom, first grade at Pine Meadow Elementary School. Pictured below: Ryan, first grade at Jim Allen Elementary School.
Molino Park PTA Holds ‘Welcome Back’ Lunch For School Staffers
August 10, 2016
The Molino Park Elementary School PTA hosted a “Welcome Back” luncheon for faculty and staff Thursday to help start the new school year right. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deidra’s Gift: Free School Supplies Distributed To Hundreds
August 9, 2016
Free backpacks and school supplies were distributed recently in Century to hundreds of children in need, thanks to a family honoring the memory of one of their own, in a program called “Dedria’s Gift”.
The book bags full of supplies were distributed in memory of Dedria Robinson, who was killed in 2005 in an automobile accident at age 11.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Registration Event Scheduled For Danceworks Classes
August 7, 2016
Registration is underway for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks, and a registration event will be held Monday.
The registration will be from 5 until 7 p.m. on Monday at the Byrneville Community Center.
Ballet, tap and jazz classes will be taught by Heather Leonard beginning the week of August 29 for girls ages 3 and up. Classes for ages 3-8 will be based on age, while classes for dancers age 9 and over will be based upon level. Leonard has taught dance to hundreds of girls from North Escambia and surrounding areas. She is also the coach for the Northview High School Dance Team.
For the class schedule, click here. For further information or questions email hldanceworks@gmail.com.
Pictured: The Heather Leonard’s Danceworks Spring 2016 recital at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Cops Like Donuts And Coffee, Right? Meet A Little Guy With A Big Heart
August 6, 2016
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies had the chance this week to meet a young man with a giving heart at Gilley’s Country Store in Bratt. Tyler’s mom submitted the photo and wrote the following:
“Today Tyler and I went to our corner store in Bratt where we saw four of Escambia County Sheriff’s Offices finest. Tyler was very excited as he LOVES police officers. He said ‘mom cops’ favorite drink is coffee and their favorite food is donuts’….we both laughed…then he went on to ask if he could use some of his own money to buy the officers some donuts. He picked 4 packs of chocolate donuts. Paid for them and then gave them to the officers. They were all very grateful and very polite. Tyler was so excited that his green hair matched their green uniforms!!! Lol. Tyler thanked them for “keeping the place safe.” And from our family to the ECSO family we thank each of you for your service and putting your lives on the line daily. Be blessed and stay safe out there.”
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: August To Do List
August 6, 2016
Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
- Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
- Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
- Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
- Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
- Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
- Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
- Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
- Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
- Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established.
Students Enjoy Milkshakes With Their School Resource Officer
August 4, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a “Milkshake With A School Resource Officer” event at Chick-fil-A on Nine Mile Road Wednesday evening.
The event provided an opportunity for students to meet their SRO before school starts, and enjoy a little conversation over a free milkshake provided by Chick-fil-A.
Over 50 students took part in the event. The Sheriff’s Office also handed out free school supplies to the kids.
Pictured top: Florida’s statewide School Resource Office of the Year, Deputy Ronnie Gill of Ernest Ward Middle School, with students enjoying milkshakes Wednesday evening at Chick-fil-A on Nine Mile Road. Also pictured: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office “Milkshake With A School Resource Officer” event. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
