Different dog, same fleas

Wednesday October 28, 2009 10:49 AM By Jessica Damiano

You may recall how, about a year and a half ago, I was complaining that my flea-infested dog had flea infested my daughter's bedroom and most of my house. That was a gross experience, to say the least, and bizarre because the dog wasn't spending a lot of time outdoors.

That dog, Shelby, died just over a year ago, but the fleas are still wreaking havoc in the yard because dog #2, Maddie, is scratching like a fiend. She's also contorting her body is stange and unusual ways and freaking out when we touch her hind area. Again, though, it wasn't until my other daughter noticed a bug bite on her arm at around the same time I found a matching one on my leg that I made the flea connection. Here we go again.

This time I'm a little wiser. Bedroom doors? Closed at all times. Dog on the couch? No way. (This is a rule anyway, but unfortunately I was the only family member who enforced it until now.) Frontline flea treatment? Applied immediately and vow made to apply monthly, even in the absense of fleas.

Plus, the house has been vacuumed thoroughly, and the family is using lavender bath soap and hair conditioner. Fleas don't like lavender, apparently. So far, so good.

I'm not a fan of fighting fleas or anything else with chemical warfare, so last time around I stuck to essential oils and natural measures, aside from the Frontline, which works by getting absorbed into the dog's bloodstream and poisoning fleas that bite her, as they inevitably will.

In addition to lavender, essential oil of citronella, cedar and lemongrass (which is growing in the garden) can be spritzed around the house, on furniture and on your clothes to repel fleas. I made a strong lemongrass tea and keep it in a spray bottle for frequent prophyllactic misting, but I'm not misting the dog with any of these repellants. The point of the Frontline is that the fleas need to bite the dog, fall off and die. If I spray her with the repellant, the fleas will jump off and make themselves at home in the house.

Sorry, dog, but you're the one who got us into this mess, you're going to have to get us out.

Another ladybug swarm sighting

Friday October 23, 2009 3:37 PM By Jessica Damiano

Sent by an anonymous reader.

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When does Daylight Saving Time end?

Friday October 23, 2009 10:05 AM By Jessica Damiano

Get ready to fall behind next weekend, as Daylight Saving Time is scheduled to give way to Standard Time in the witching hours soon after Halloween night ends  -- at 2 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 1.

If you're like me and expect to be sound asleep at 2 o'clock, set your clocks back one hour at bedtime to avoid confusion in the morning.

You know you should put that extra hour to good use by getting up bright and early to rake leaves, but who are we kidding? More than likely we'll be using it to recuperate from the inevitable costume party.

Arizona and Hawaii are the only states that don't observe DST, presumably because they have enough daylight without it. The rest of us will begin waking up in the dark, and coming home from work in the dark, too, as there's more than the clock at play: Days are shorten in winter, too. That might seem like a double whammy, but it is Standard Time, after all, which is natural, unlike DST, which I prefer but nonetheless is an altered realtiy.

Be careful when hiring a landscaper

Thursday October 22, 2009 12:18 PM By Jessica Damiano

Over the years, I've listened to (or rather, read) readers' suspicions that their landscapers were stealing tomatoes off their plants, fruit off their trees, etc. But this is a new -- and particularly alarming -- kind of allegation.

Newsday reporter Robert Kessler has just reported that Johnny Cerda of Johnny Cerda's Landscaping company in Nassau County was arrested today by federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive agents and Nassau County Robbery Squad detectives and charged with "engaging in robbery that interfered with interstate commerce and use of firearms in commission of a crime."

What does this mean, exactly? The allegations charge that Cerda, 28, of Freeport, not only had a landscaping crew, but a robbery crew, which he would alert when he believed landscaping customers had lots of cash and jewelry in their homes. The ring is accused of robbing at least 10 homes in Merrick and Baldwin since February. And to make matters worse, these crimes weren't necessarily committed when the homeowners were out. One victim was gagged, smothered and beaten (he survived). Another, an elderly man, was beaten for not cooperating quickly enough. Sources quoted in the story also say the crew threatened to rape a teenage girl.

This case underscores (and BOLD CAPS) the importance of carefully screening not only any workers you allow into your home, but anyone you hire to work anywhere on your property. Sometimes, it might mean paying a little more to deal with reputable people, but not in the long run, as this morning's report demonstrates. Licensed and insured is a non-negotiable prerequisite, but I never hire anyone who hasn't been personally recommended by a friend. That's how I found my painter, carpenter, cesspool installer, and yes, my landscaper. Of course, that's no guarantee, but it goes a long way toward increasing the odds in my favor. Look not only for licensed, but insured, businesses. And follow your gut. I ignored mine concerning a creepy cesspool cleaner many years ago.

In the past, I've had entire harvests of pears mysteriously disappear from my tree. And I'm sure that cesspool guy, who without fail always asked to use my bathroom and would get lost in there for 20 minutes (I timed him), emptied bottles in my medicine cabinet. So, I've lived and learned. And fortunately, my lessons weren't as hard to swallow as those of the alleged victims in today's news.

If convicted, Cerda and company face more than 30 years in federal prison.

Ladybug followup

Wednesday October 21, 2009 2:42 PM By Jessica Damiano

I received a bunch of emails after yesterday's post about ladybug swarms. Peter Schiller of Freedom, NH, said he took the above photo yesterday and that the problem is worse today.

The Kilby family (mom Kelly, Tristan, 11, and Chandler, 9), of South Kingstown, RI, also have written:

"We moved ...from California two months ago, and could not understand this bizarre infestation (which began two days ago).  We are a homeschool family, so of course took it upon ourselves to investigate, and maybe “adopt” some new pets.  We have since been educated by you, and are trying desperately to hand-vac our little friends away!

So my question to you Jessica is – is there a recommendation for ridding them from our sun-brimmed deck?  We watch them swarm, in the sunny spot… This also happens to be the 2nd floor entry to our home – right into our kitchen eating area.  It’s causing us angst to watch them multiply on the deck.  After one “hand vac” sweeping of them (outside), they swarmed less than 60 seconds later – in bigger numbers!   We can no longer use these “sunny side” doors, and have switched to entry at the garage.  Nonetheless, we sweep up about 30+ newly found friends every few minutes on the inside of the two sunny doors!  We can see the doors are secure, and they likely made it in when we still thought they were charming…  It’s also posing us challenges with our Labrador puppy who needs to go out side frequently. 

After ensuring window frames , doors, siding and gaps around vents are well sealed, and that there are no gaps, cracks or rips in window and door screens, you can either opt for a light trap, which lures them with light and then traps them in a box, which you empty daily, or a pesticide.

While diatomaceous earth, the pulverized fossilized remains of hard-shell algae, is often recommended, insects have to come into contact with the powder, which is typically sprinkled around the perimeter of the house. However, I don't really see the logic behind the recommendation concerning ladybugs because, unlike ants and roaches, they can fly.

Pyrethrins (natural insecticides produced by chrysanthemums) can be sprayed to eliminate swarms of migrating lady beetles. Apply to exterior walls, window screens, siding, and around doors, windows and vents. Follow package directions exactly. The beetles will die after coming into contact with the product, but it's considered safe for your puppy. It's even used against fleas. Just to be safe, though, keep him indoors until the product has dried. I know how puppies like to lick things up.

On a different, but somewhat related, front, reader Nancy Kaplan has sent in this photo of a praying mantid she spotted:

Jessica -- just thought you'd like to see a visitor I had this summer. He was with me for a while, even let me hold him. Plus-I saw another baby one in the garden.

Watch out for ladybug infestations and swarms

Tuesday October 20, 2009 4:00 PM By Jessica Damiano

Around this time every year people start reporting swarms of ladybugs around -- and oftentimes inside -- their homes. The reason is simple: It's getting cold out there.

The tiny red spotted beetles are usually viewed as the good guys of the insect world. They're right up there with praying mantids and butterflies. Usually, we don't mind when they get into the house. We're not only likely to pick them up, but we'll even hand them to our small children. "Oh, look how pretty it is." Imagine doing that with a spider? Plus, these flying wonders do a number on aphids, saving countless plants from the pests' piercing-sucking mouthparts.

Update: Reader EG writes: "So funny..... I read this article this motning, went out for lunch and out building (RXR Plaza in Uniondale) is COVERED with them. Thousands and thousands of them everywhere! If it was any other bug, people would be going crazy but instead they are taking pictures. -- EG

But what happens when they swarm inside your house? I don't mean two or three, which most people would pick up and escort outdoors. I mean a swarm. A literal infestation.

I've only experienced such a thing once, when visitng friends in northern New Jersey a few years ago. I had never seen anything similar to the scene inside that house when we arrived. There were not hundreds, not even thousands, but perhaps tens of thousands of ladybugs on everything.

Ladybugs covered the ceiling, the walls, the couch. And the lady of the house was frantically following them around with a vacuum cleaner. While I felt bad for my little friends, I knew she was doing the right thing. There simply would not have been any other way to rid the house of them safely and effectively.

Why did this happen? Turns out, it's not that much of a rarity. Two-spotted lady beetles, as well as Asian lady beetles, spend their winters hibernating in large groups, usually under leaves. But sometimes they try to find refuge from the cold inside houses. 

They seem to be lured to light-colored houses, and certainly those without adequate caulking around windows and doors. And the problem is once they come in, they release phehormones, which in turn lures more ladybugs to the area. The scent is believed to travel as far as 1/4 mile. If you don't get rid of them fast, their friends will keep coming -- and calling for reinforcements. Of course, if you only have a few, say 3 or 5, there's no need to worry. Let them be. But if you walk into a room and can't quite see the lighting fixture on the ceiling, you have a problem.

Should you ever find yourself in such a situation, do as my friend did -- get out the vacuum. And after you've sucked them all up, dispose of the bag. Outside. In the trash. If you leave the bag in the vacuum cleaner, those little ladybugs will become frightened and release blood, which is what they do when they're scared. That smelly yellow smudge you sometimes find on your hand after holding a ladybug actually is a blood release, something it does to convince you not to eat it. If it smells bad, it must not be meant for eating, or so it hopes to convince its predators.

You'd notice the same foul odor if you should crush a ladybug, so don't get any ideas.

Send me photos of your ladybugs.

>>More ladybug swarm coverage

Scarecrows at OWG

Thursday October 15, 2009 12:49 PM By Jessica Damiano

Even if you've never visited Old Westbury Gardens, you might recognize this scene from the many movies and television and magazine ads that have been shot on location there.

The driveway was filmed for the 1970 film "Love Story," and the site was used in "North by Northwest," "Age of Innocence," "Hitch," "Cruel Intentions," "8MM," "American Gangster," "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar," and the TV series "Royal Pains," among others.

When I was visiting with my kids a couple of summers ago, the spot in front of the Charles II-style mansion, shown in the photo above, was being used for what I believe was a catalog shoot. Elegantly set tables were on the lawn, and well-dressed twenty-something models were pouring wine while the cameras clicked.

Today, it's being used as a showcase for some crafty Long Islanders' scarecrows.

Tai Chi class at Old Westbury Gardens gets a new student

Thursday October 15, 2009 12:28 PM By Jessica Damiano

The outdoor Tai Chi class, which is held every Wednesday at OWG, somehow got mixed up with the garden's scarecrow contest.

Koi care over the winter

Thursday October 15, 2009 11:16 AM By Jessica Damiano

It's time to start winterizing the koi pond. For all you first-timers who've emailed me, here's what that entails:

Fish will start fattening up in September to help them get through the winter. Stop feeding them when pond water dips below 50 degrees. You'll notice their activity slowing down at that time. Their digestive system slows down, too, so feeding them now would put them at risk for bacterial  infections.

Check filters for sediment buildup and clean, if necessary. Drain pumps and pipes, and stop running the filter. Wrap exposed pipes with an insulation of your choice. Several  types are available, or you could get creative and make your own.

I recommend covering the pond with a net to keep leaves out, otherwise they'll get all slimy in there and add dangerous bacteria to the water. In the absence of a net, you'll have to use a skimmer to remove leaves as they fall throughout the season.

Although fish ponds should contain at least 500 gallons of water, the minimum depth of ponds is only 24 inches for successful overwintering of fish.

If your pond is shallow (less than 3 feet deep), you'll have to purchase a floating heater, which will prevent the entire pond from freezing over. As long as there's a small unfrozen area, the fish will survive.

Fiish are more likely to die from gas poisoning in frozen ponds than from freezing temperatures, so ice openings are crucial. They allow harmful methane and hydrogen sulfide gases to escape and oxygen to enter.  

If your pond is deeper than 3 feet -- most are -- you shouldn't need a heater, as it's unlikely the whole thing will freeze over. Anyway, just to be safe, check it periodically and poke a hole it the ice should it cover the entire surface, which, like I said, isn't likely. Never use a sledgehammer to poke holes in frozen ponds because you'll risk damaging your liner and injure fish eardrums (yes, they have them.)

Bog plants should be moved to deeper water for winter protection. Cut them back first so they don't rot.

In the spring, remove netting and clear away any dead plants, leaves and filamentous algae from the pond.. Start running the pump and top off with more water, if necessary.