Is Sevin A Good General Purpose Insecticide?

[Billy]

On the other hand, it's not a complete loss, they (mosquitos) are pollinators. Who'd a guessed? Got ribs and corn on the barbi tonight, and citronella candles around the table like some religious event, that it is. The holy sacrament, and the forces of darkness locked into a supernatural conflict. I should probably go pull the cork out of my magic potion that buttresses my faith. And the cry range out, "Bon Appétit."

There are those mosquito eaters that come with propane tanks and pheromones. Industrial strength, like they use in Alaska.

Hope this works out for you. See you on the flip side.

[Naga Jolokia]

David, what's BT?

[Billy]

Bacillus thuringiensis

's that garden doin'?

[Jeff Thies]

Well, that settles it, the next person that complains abut the skeeters will just have to sacrifice for the good of pollinating the vegetables. Bon Appetit Mosquitos.

As it turns out, I'm full of misconceptions about mosquitos, they don't breed in tall grasses and ground cover and they are poor carriers of heartworm in cats (which I have an abundance of). There is still West Nile, with cases here every year.

Curiously, to me at least, catnip is a repellent.

So, I think I'll take Tony's advice to hunt down even small pools of water, and then plant catnip. What harm is in that? The cats will prefer it over permethrin which curiously is toxic to felines.

I continue to be amazed that unintended consequences is the rule, not the exception.

To you to. I'd trade a big bowl of blackberries for one of those ribs!

Jeff

[David E. Ross]

On 5/30/10 7:47 AM, Jeff Thies wrote [in part]:

Be very careful. Catnip is in the mint family and is very invasive. Soon, your garden could be 100% catnip.

[Jeff Thies]

Thanks.

I seem to be replacing one invasive species with another. So far I've replaced periwinkle with english ivy and japanese grass with ivy leaf morning glory. I wonder what will replace the mimosa. Wisteria and honeysuckle are just whacked back and tolerated.

Somewhere along the line I've missed having kudzu, which replaces everything. Trees, houses and slow moving animals.

Jeff

[Bill who putters]

Sound like a new topic to me.

[Billy]

My catnip has shown no sign of spreading. Three of the cats nuzzle it and take naps next to it. The other 2 just ignore it. It is growing out of a space in a cinderblock, but that wouldn't slow down most mints. The Prunella vugaris, that I count on for BP control, shows up in the most unlikely places around the yard. Fortunately, I still consume more than I grow, so it goes where it will.

[Naga Jolokia]

Thanks, Billy.

The garden is doing great; although my back is not doing so well. :-)

[Jeff Thies]

Thanks.

I had no idea what it was. None is flowering now and I don't remember where I used to see it. As I recall it was very short.

I think I'll put the catnip in at the garden walk edge next to the english ivy so they can duke it out, I seem to recall that it grew in poor soil and part sun. I had some out with the other mints and I notice now that all the mints are gone. Funny, it was getting invasive, and now it is gone. I think it has been out competed by plants that thrive in the wetter weather of the last couple years. I never really liked mint juleps anyways and I had no other use, although my Czech friend used it like body perfume!

Jeff

[Billy]

Gardening is a matter of your enthusiasm holding up until your back gets used to it.  ~Author Unknown