Destroy wasps with caution
By RICKY THOMPSON County extension agent

We have an abundance of wasps right now, but people do not need to be alarmed.

Red wasps (Paper Wasps) are not aggressive until the nest is disturbed.Yellow Jackets, on the other hand, are extremely aggressive. I suggest destroying them with proper caution.

Wait until late evening or night to approach them (they all come to the nest at night). Use hornet and wasp sprays that will extinguish them from 10 or 15 feet away. Dashing them with soapy water also works well.

We are having our share of unwanted pests: flies, fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Grass is growing rapidly along with unwanted weeds. Molds, mushrooms and powdery mildew are on the rise as I see lawns across the county.

I understand the discomfort of these unwanted issues caused by the continual rains and cloudy forecasts, but we are still fortunate

to not be having flooding problems like counties south and west of us.

Lots of things are growing because of the moisture. I'm telling people to get ready, we are going to see more bugs and plants, and the UNKNOWNS (both weeds and insects) because they can live. For the past ten years reproduction (life) has been suppressed because we were in a ten-year drought. Now that we are getting moisture back in the ground things, expect changes.

County extension agent Ricky Thompson says, "I am always open for questions and comments." Call 384-5949.