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Making the outdoors more enjoyable

Keeping mosquitos, gnats, and flies away from your outdoor gatherings contributes greatly to the overall enjoyment of summertime living, in addition to reducing the risk of disease. One line of defense is to incorporate plantings that are natural deterrents to these pests close to your outdoor spaces, whether along the perimeter of a patio, or in container gardens carefully placed by the seating area. Some plants that naturally repel mosquitoes while adding decoration and fragrance include citronella, lemongrass, lavender, peppermint and marigolds, along with aromatic herbs such as mint, basil and rosemary. Other defenses include outdoor fans that make it difficult for these pests to fly too close and the smoke from a wood fire. Installing bat boxes encourages species like the harmless European bat to patrol your property, taking care of up to 600 mosquitoes in an hour.

Invasive species are still an issue

The State of Connecticut is once again alerting residents and visitors to the ongoing threat of the spotted lanternfly in our area. The sign shown above is posted in rest areas along the highway to inform people to be watchful for them in an effort to contain their spread. They are capable of weakening trees to the point of death, and to date there is no proven course of action other than to destroy their egg masses and capture and kill the adults. Residents are asked to contact the State of CT website for more information to help in this effort and to report sightings. Another destructive species in our area is the Asian jumping worm, which can turn topsoil into the consistency of Grape-Nuts cereal, ruining it for vegetation and making shallow rooted trees vulnerable to collapse. These worms can grow to be 8” long and will whip their tails if picked up. There is no effective way to get rid of them, but catching them and drowning in soapy water will at least not spread them further. Click on this link for more information from the State of Connecticut.

Give Gerbert & Sons a call at (203) 324-3817 for more information on natural pest deterrents and all of your landscaping needs.