One of the most enjoyable parts of summer is getting to shed the
heavy winter clothing and to spend time outside soaking up the sun. The
warm months also provides greater opportunities to relax outdoors,
enjoying daytime and evening picnics and dinners. One downside to
outdoor summer fun is the invasion of mosquitoes, fleas, no-see-ums and
other pesky bugs. There is an expectation that this past unseasonably
warm winter will result in an exceptionally brutal insect infestation
this summer. Many communities have instituted mosquito programs to try
to keep these infestations to a minimum because these bugs are disease
carriers. Besides the discomfort of itching, allergic reactions and
unsightly sores, mosquitoes can carry diseases that affect humans, such
as malaria and West Nile virus, and they also can cause dog heartworms
and encephalitis in other animals.
Although pesticide spraying is mandated in many communities for
public health reasons, each of us can adopt green incentives to reduce
the mosquito population in our neighborhoods. Green gardening goes a
long way here. Planting a hummingbird garden is one way to help control
the mosquito population because hummingbirds eat mosquitoes. Some of
the plants that attract hummingbirds include bee balm, columbine,
butterfly bushes, lantana, Catawba rhododendrons and many other red
plants. A hummingbird garden can be as small as a patio garden or
hanging plants or as large as landscaped community gardens. Any home or
community can achieve beauty with a purpose.
Mosquitoes and other bugs are a natural part of summer, but if we
live green, be green, we can reduce the impact of this problem.
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