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County Judge Sydney Murphy signed a local disaster declaration Tuesday including an order prohibiting outdoor burning for the unincorporated areas of the county due to dry weather conditions and threat of wildfire. The purpose of the order is to mitigate the hazard posed by wildfires by curtailing the practice of outdoor burning.
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To ensure that you are selecting a product that will be effective for your insect pests, always read and follow the label.
By Matthew R. March, MNRD
Polk County Extension Agent
Managing insect pests in your garden, landscape or around the house can be very frustrating. What is more frustrating than a garden full of vegetables nearing harvest just to be destroyed in a matter of days by a pesky little insect? Insecticides should be your last option for control, and you should rely on non-chemical methods such as crop rotation. However, sometimes insect pest numbers grow to unmanageable levels and use of insecticides is justified. Any insecticide you can purchase has been proven safe if you handle and apply the insecticide in accordance with the label. However, as good environmental stewards we should always resort to using insecticides only when it is necessary and if insecticides must be utilized first selecting a low impact (least toxic) insecticide that will control your pest. Lastly, some homeowners prefer organic insecticides, but it should be noted that not all low impact insecticides are classified as organic.
Insecticide soaps and horticultural oils kill small soft-bodied arthropods like mites, aphids and scales. Horticultural oils may be called dormant oil, volck oil, summer oil or ultrafine spray oils. These products are classified as being one of the safest insecticides, however it is recommended you apply store-bought products as they are generally safer to plants than homemade versions.
Microbes such as bacteria are everywhere in the landscape from the soil to the leaves. Many of these bacteria can be harmful to insects such as Bacillus thuringiensis, Bt, and spinosad. When Bt is consumed by insects a toxin is released that destroy cells in the gut. Spinosad is a natural toxin made by soil borne bacterium that affects the nervous system of insects. Both products are generally safe for people, however spinosad can be harmful to bees and other pollinators.
Insect growth regulators are copies of natural hormones that affect the growth of insects and such, affecting growth or preventing egg-laying. They are considered harmless to people and pets and can be very effective in stopping the life cycle of certain insect pests. Insect growth regulators can be found in products to control fleas, fire ants, mosquitos and caterpillars.
Cockroach bait stations, fire ant baits, and some slug and rodent baits are considered low impact because the pest feed directly on the bait requiring very little insecticide. Plus, baits can reduce the need to use potentially more hazardous sprays.
Boric acid is good for cockroach control and can be found in some cockroach control products. Boric acid is not toxic to the touch but can be toxic in high doses if swallowed by kids or pets.
Diatomaceous earth is a very popular low impact insecticide. Diatomaceous earth is fossilized diatoms that are abrasive. Diatoms are microscopic aquatic algae. The abrasive nature of diatomaceous earth cuts the exoskeleton of insects causing insects to dry out. Diatomaceous earth works best in dry conditions.
Botanical insecticides are derived from plants that make their own insecticides. Not all botanical insecticides are low impact and some can be very toxic. Popular products include pyrethrins, neem extract, mint oils and citrus oils. Botanical insecticides break down quickly after application so they are relatively safe for many beneficial insects that are not being targeted.
Selecting an insecticide can be very confusing. To ensure that you are selecting a product that will be effective for your insect pests, always read and follow the label. And when in doubt about what insecticide to apply or its toxicity, don’t hesitate to call the extension office.
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Alicia Coburn, a second grade homeschool student from Goodrich, was recently recognized by members of the Polk County Garden Club for her winning entry in a youth poetry contest sponsored by the local club. Coburn’s poem, entitled “Hours of the Daytime Choir,” placed first in the local club’s contest; placed first in the South Central Garden Club contest which includes Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas; and received honorable mention in the National Garden Clubs Inc. contest. Polk County Garden Club members Sharon Pollard and Andee Shaffer present certificates of achievement to Alicia as other club members watch – Heidi Newton, Patti Meyer, Paulette Stinson, Mary Ingram and Sherry Everitt. Also there were Alicia’s mother, Sarah Coburn, and her brothers, John, Lewis and Zeke. Alicia’s poem, “Hours of the Daytime Choir,” reads, As the morning dew drops fall, Birds sing a song of praise, I listen and listen till I see the sun, Going, going gone, And there right in front of me, Is the night black. Photo by Emily Banks Wooten
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“Bugs on Wheels,” a program from the Houston Museum of Natural Science, was recently presented at the Livingston Municipal Library and children were able to touch each of the specimens if they wanted to. Nehemiah, Analeigh and Noah Herridge look at one of the bugs that was brought. Penelope Jones enjoys petting one of the bugs. The children also got to see a beetle and a tarantula. This was one of six programs that will be presented at the library this summer. The next program will be June 20 at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and will feature Sue Kuentz, a storyteller. Another storyteller, Bernadette Nason, will be there at 11 a.m. on June 21. A third storyteller, Kim Lehman, will be there at 10:30 a.m. on July 6. The Museum of Natural Science will return on July 13 with docents and “Go with the Oceans” will be the topic. The Houston Museum of Natural Science on Wheels will return at 1:30 p.m. on July 15 and present a program called “Dinosaur Discovery.” All children are welcome to participate in the summer programs. Several weekly events are offered at the library. These include baby time on Tuesdays, story time for older children on Wednesdays and toddler time on Thursdays. The events begin at 10:30 a.m. The library is located at 707 N. Tyler Ave. in Livingston. Courtesy photos
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The Onlaska City Council approved ordiance #425 which will prohibit shipping/storage containers as residential dwelling.
The Onalaska City Council reviewed and approved several resolutions and ordinances during its regular meeting June 14.
The resolutions approved include: a resolution to apply for a 2022 TxCDBG-FAST grant through the Texas Department of Agriculture; an interlocal agreement with the SPCA; an addendum to the agreement with Local Government Solutions for municipal court software obtaining required licensing; the establishment of homestead property, over 65 and/or disabled exemption rates within the city; an agreement with Innovative Solutions to contract for IT services; and an amendment to the city’s personnel policy.
The ordinances approved include: 423, which will establish maximum speeds for motor vehicles on Hodge Bottom Road as designated; 424, which will require all manufactured homes be installed on concrete runners at a minimum with specifications and permit requirements; 425, which will prohibit shipping/storage containers as residential dwellings; and 426, which will amend the fee schedule.
Reports were presented on behalf of the police department, fire department, fire marshal/building inspector, library and city office.
Other business included approval of the minutes, payment of vouchers and financial reports.
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