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Showing posts with the label bugs

Getting Ready for Bug Season: Homemade Mosquito Trap and Deterrent

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Getting ready for the Adirondack Bug Season? Try these homemade remedies! Homemade Mosquito Deterrent* I TEMS NEEDED: Combine in a 16 oz bottle: 15 drops lavender oil  3-4 Tbsp of vanilla extract 10 drops of citronella oil 1/4 Cup lemon juice. HOW:   Fill bottle with water. Shake & it's ready to use. Spray on yourself. (Substitute 10 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil instead of citronella oil)  *Do not apply without doing a skin test first. Children can be especially prone to rashes from essential oils) HOMEMADE MOSQUITO TRAP: I TEMS NEEDED 1 cup water 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 gram of yeast 2-liter plastic bottle HOW: 1. Cut the plastic bottle in half. 2. Mix brown sugar with hot water. Let cool. When cold, pour in the bottom half of the bottle. 3. Add the yeast. No need to mix. It creates carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes. 4. Place the funnel part, upside down, into the other half of the bottle, taping them together if desired. 5. Wrap the bottle with

Adirondack Nature Detective: Eastern Tent Caterpillar or Gypsy Moth?

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By Diane Chase Did you know that Gypsy Moths were introduced in the United States as a failed attempt at creating a silk industry similar to the silkworm? The Gypsy moth was brought from Europe to Massachusetts in 1869 by Leopold Trouvelot in attempt to breed the moths for silk production. A few escaped and now the moths defoliate trees from east to west coasts of the United States. Well, Mother Nature is trying to trip my apple growing by first giving that cute fawn apple leaves to nibble upon and now a bout with tent caterpillars. So what is the difference between the Eastern Tent Caterpillar, Forest Tent Caterpillar and the Gypsy Moth?  Eastern Ten Caterpillar "tent" The Eastern Tent Caterpillar • black heads, light brown body with hairs with a white stripe. • Light stripe down its back bordered with brown and black wavy stripes on either side  There are a series of blue and black dots along the length of the body • Length - about 2 to 2 1/2 inches • The