Community Discussions

Here in Nova Scotia we have an unslaught of biting bugs that seem to hit every Spring.  (misquitoes, black flies, no seeums, etc..)  They seem especially bad since there's lots of wet, soggy ground for them to breed in.  Is there any way that any of you have found to 'scare' the biting bugs away.  They were so bad last night that they upset the bucket of soapy water Chris was using to wash the truck.  They were absolutely horrid!!!  Thick black clouds of biting fury, no swatting could keep them away.

Thanks for any advice that you can provide.

Sherri

Well, haven't had much chance to sit down and research birds and there has been bat house plans on the screen for some time now.  Just haven't had time to look at or print any out.  Since it stopped raining and the sun came out the people think they need to mow their lawns ASAP.

Maybe since there is 4 acres of land I'll get Chris to build a couple and put them down by the road on the far end of the property, that way the sun will hit them at some point in the day and they won't be close to the our house.

I guess I shall do some more searching while I have a few down seconds.

Sherri

With 24 cases of rabies deaths due to bats since 1990, I think I'll take my chances walking at 2 am in a bat cave, than the downtown area of any city at that time.

Better odds of being struck by lightning than being bit by a rabid bat.

Highwind wrote:

Yup, that is why I would still consider it.  It is a factor that you should be aware of though and these websites that tell you about houses do not mention that one albeit small risk and Rabies is essentially 100% fatal if you do not know you have been exposed and you develope symptoms.  Once you are aware it is too late.

People do get hit by lightning BTW, we just lost someone at a local Hot air Balloon fair around two or three years ago.  I listened to the ambulance's radio report as they took the poor guy to another local ED as I was at work at mine, he was talking at the seen and DOA as is the case as his internal organs were instantly cooked. 

Also there are no bats in a bat cave at 2AM.....

C 

Sherri

This may be small consolation but I did a search because I was concerned about West Nile and Malaria with the mosquito, etc. problem you are having and your area shows a very low to no incident rate of either.  So, at least, you don't have to worry about the swarm of insects carrying diseases. 

Swallows such as barn swallows, violet-green swallows, tree swallows, cliff swallows and bluebirds are good mosquito eaters. 

Wrens, bluebirds and tree swallows are the birds most commonly attracted to single-unit, enclosed bird houses.  Click on this link for more info on these birds: 

http://www.dccl.org/information/houses/birdhouses.htm

Paula

Testing...

Chris thinks he fixed the computer problem...

That was before I typed a lengthy reply to Paula...POOF into thin air it went...so let's try the abbreivated version.

We have a lot of birds - all feed at the feeders - not on the bugs.

I'm braving the outdoors a little today - if no one hears from me send a search party...I'll try to leave a trail.

Sherri