Waukesha County Home

HOME JUNE 2018 2 Distributed by: ©2018 by Conley Media Waukesha County Home is published monthly by Conley Media - Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. A publication of Conley Media Sales Director: Jim Baumgart 262/513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com Editor: Dan Muckelbauer 262/513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262/513-2690 pscheel@conleynet.com Home Volume 7 ■ Number 6 ■ June 2018 Although the bugs don't kill plants, they eat leaf tissue, lead- ing to skeletonization of trees and other plants. This can weak- en trees and can make them sus- ceptible to root rot, fire blight and other diseases and pest infesta- tions. In love with roses Larry Heebsh, master rosarian, president of the Greater Milwau- kee Rose Society and manager of Greg's True Value Hardware in St. Francis, said beetles eat blooms on plants before anything else. "I've seen as many as 30 or more on a single bloom," he said. Many chemicals on the market are effective in killing grubs and beetles, including imidacloprid, a chemical injected into the soil of birch trees, and Merit, a fertilizer granule made by the Bayer com- pany. However, Heebsh warns people that some insecticides are very harsh and can also kill bugs bene- ficial to plants. Dave Wanninger, horticultural- ist at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners said that although natural predators such as koi (Japanese goldfish) and birds, and certain fungi found in soil have caused beetle numbers to decrease in recent years, the bugs still do considerable damage to roses. "They've not been a terrible problem, except for roses," he said. Getting rid of them Wanninger said the Boerner rose garden is the only place in the park where insecticide is sprayed, due to chemicals that can be harmful to plants and humans. The sprayed area is fenced off, and workers use pro- tective gear. Heebsh and Ziemienski agree that shaking bugs off of small plants into a bucket of soapy water is a more environmentally friendly way to handle beetle infestations. Wanninger encour- ages park visitors to toss leaves containing beetles into the koi pond, as the fish feed on them. All recommend against using beetle traps, as these contain pheromones that attract the bugs to plants. Dead bugs also give off pheromones, so bugs should not be killed as they eat plant materi- al. To treat severe beetle infesta- tions, Ziemienski recommends contacting professionals. Beetles are now ready to come out of their dormant stage, mak- ing early June an ideal time for soil treatment, said Heebsh. "Right now is a great time to take action," he said. The Greater Milwaukee Rose Society offers seminars on gar- dening problems such as pest infestations. For more informa- tion, visit https://www.face- book.com/gmrsofficial/. For homeowners, guests and wildlife, the benefits of an outdoor fountain are real. The sound of running water The sound of running water is a natural psychological relaxant helping people to unwind and even to fall asleep. An outdoor fountain provides stress-releasing benefits by drowning out other sounds that are pos- sibly irritating such as traffic, construction, barking neighbor dogs, nearby conversa- tions or other annoyances. Birds love it For people who enjoy the benefits of bird feeders, an outdoor fountain is a natural extension. All birds need water not only to drink but to bathe and preen. Birds that do not ordinarily visit bird feed- ers are often drawn to fountains. They actu- ally prefer running water to still water which makes the trickles and splashes of a fountain attractive to birds. Pets love it Anyone with a dog who enjoys time in the yard knows how important it is to keep fresh water available at all times. Dogs love the constant flow of fresh water in outdoor water fountains that are endlessly refresh- ing water bowls. Plus, a constantly flowing fountain requires less frequent cleanings than warm, still bowls of water that quickly collect drool, insects and plant matter. People's brains and bodies love it Fountains add much needed humidity to otherwise dry environments while also serv- ing as a natural air purifier as they remove dust and allergens from the air. Another natural phenomenon is that flow- ing water produces negative ions which sci- entific theory suggests to having many posi- tive effects on health and mood, alleviating depression and boosting energy. You can avoid expensive repairs to your deck by finding and repairing prob- lems early. Start below your deck To start your yearly deck inspection, start below your deck. Look for soft spots that indicate rot. If one area of your deck is in worse shape than the other, find the source of the problem before attempting the repair. Remove any leaves and debris that may have piled up as they may hold moisture and con- tribute to serious water damage. A major weak spot is the connection between the house and the deck. Pay extra attention to the flashing looking for water damage along the ledger. This is also a good spot to look for fungus and little piles of sawdust, which could indi- cate termites or carpenter ants. Check the posts Especially at the ground line, probe various parts of the post comparing each side for levels of decay. Evaluate the post connection to the foundation and re-secure if needed. Check the decking Look at the area where boards meet because anywhere that wood touches wood is prone to rotting. Look at the ends of the boards and the butt joints. Check for mois- ture and mildew and tighten nails or screws in the decking. Look for signs of warping or twisting which would eventual- ly need to be replaced. Inspect the railings Look at the ends of all the rails for warp- ing and replace broken spindles and post covers. Japanese beetles: Chemical and natural solutions to invasion problem Continued from Page 1 Submitted photo Even at a distance, the brown leaves of this linden tree is a sign that a Japanese beetle infestation has occurred. Outdoor fountains provide relief in many ways Prevent deck problems before they start

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