In an article posted on May 5th, we listed five suggestions that could prevent attracting bears to your property. Here are some tips if you actually encounter a bear – whether in your garden or in the woods.
Stay Calm. If you see a bear and it hasn’t seen you, leave the area calmly. Talk or make noise while moving away to help it discover your presence. Choose a route that will not intersect with the bear if it is moving.
Get Back. If you have surprised a bear, slowly back away while talking softly. Face the bear, but avoid direct eye contact. Do not turn and run; rapid movement may be perceived as danger to a bear that is already feeling threatened. Avoid blocking the bear’s only escape route and try to move away from any cubs you see or hear. Do not attempt to climb a tree. A female bear may falsely interpret this as an attempt to get at her cubs, even though the cubs may be in a different tree.
Pay Attention. If a bear is displaying signs of nervousness – pacing, swinging its head, or popping its jaws – about your presence, leave the area. Some bears may bluff charge to within a few feet. If this occurs, stand your ground, wave your arms wildly, and shout at the bear. Turning and running could elicit a chase and you cannot outrun a bear.
Fight Back. If a bear attacks, fight back as you continue to leave the area. Black bears have been driven away with rocks, sticks, binoculars, car keys, or even bare hands.
To report nuisance bears, contact the Game Commission Region Office nearest you. The telephone numbers for the Northeast Region Office in Dallas, Luzerne County, is 570-675-1143.
More information on bears is available on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on the “Wildlife” tab in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, and then selecting “Black Bears” From the “Mammals” section. Or contact your local cooperative extension office. In Lackawanna County ask for the Garden Help line at 963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu.
Terry Schettini, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Groundhogs
Is it Punxsutawney Phil, the famous furry barometer, or maybe Gus the second most famous groundhog, you see scurry across your yard? Probably not, but as common as this long tailed rodent is seen, it would seem that Ground Hog’s Day happens seven days a week, all year long.
Marmota monax, the groundhog, also known as the woodchuck, is a chunky creature weighing up to 10 lbs. Its length ranges sixteen to twenty inches plus the tail, four to seven inches. While open farm land is their first choice, the groundhog has made a comfortable home in the suburban landscape where plenty of food and shelter make life easy for them. Often a groundhog will construct its burrow along stone walls, at the base of trees and even along a foundation.
Groundhog burrows can be identified by the large mound of excavated earth at the main entrance. On this mound, which is constantly renewed by debris from within, the groundhog frequently sits to look for danger. The entranceway is 10 to 12 inches in diameter, and they also have secondary entrances. These tend to be hidden and dug from below so mounds are not seen.
The groundhog can be the bane of most homeowners. The animal’s feeding and burrowing hab¬its conflict with human interests. Damage often occurs on farms, in home gardens, orchards, nurseries, around build¬ings. Damage to crops such as alfalfa, soybeans, beans, squash, tomatoes, and peas can be costly and extensive. A homeowner may lose his or her entire tomato patch. Fruit trees and ornamental shrubs may be damaged by groundhog as they gnaw on woody vegetation. Mounds of earth from the excavated burrow systems and holes formed at burrow entrances present a hazard to farm equipment, animals and humans. On occasion, burrowing can building foundations.
In Pennsylvania, groundhogs are classified as game ani¬mals. Game protection is removed when they damage personal property. In that case, groundhogs can be controlled by the property owner using the lawful means. If a homeowner does not feel comfortable with any means of control, there are many wildlife pest control companies who can do this for you.
If the area is small, poultry wire or two inch woven mesh fencing can be installed. With three foot minimum above ground, the fence should have twelve inches buried in the ground, with six inches bent in an L shape pointing away.
Scarecrows can provide temporary relief from groundhog damage. Move them regularly and incorporate a high level of human activity in the susceptible area.
There are no repellents or toxicants that are for use on groundhogs. There are other products such as fumigants and gas cartridges available at home and garden centers which are labeled for use on groundhogs. Please carefully follow the directions as these are dangerous products.
There are live traps the homeowners can use as well. Place the trap near fresh damage or at the main entrance of the burrow. Use fresh bait such as apple slices, carrots, and lettuce. Be careful once the animal is trapped. Give some thought to a relocation area at least ten miles away and here the groundhog will not be the pest he was to you.
For more information on groundhogs or any other home horticulture topic, please contact the Penn State Master Gardener Helpline at (570) 963-6842 or email: LackawannaMG@psu.edu
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce
Marmota monax, the groundhog, also known as the woodchuck, is a chunky creature weighing up to 10 lbs. Its length ranges sixteen to twenty inches plus the tail, four to seven inches. While open farm land is their first choice, the groundhog has made a comfortable home in the suburban landscape where plenty of food and shelter make life easy for them. Often a groundhog will construct its burrow along stone walls, at the base of trees and even along a foundation.
Groundhog burrows can be identified by the large mound of excavated earth at the main entrance. On this mound, which is constantly renewed by debris from within, the groundhog frequently sits to look for danger. The entranceway is 10 to 12 inches in diameter, and they also have secondary entrances. These tend to be hidden and dug from below so mounds are not seen.
The groundhog can be the bane of most homeowners. The animal’s feeding and burrowing hab¬its conflict with human interests. Damage often occurs on farms, in home gardens, orchards, nurseries, around build¬ings. Damage to crops such as alfalfa, soybeans, beans, squash, tomatoes, and peas can be costly and extensive. A homeowner may lose his or her entire tomato patch. Fruit trees and ornamental shrubs may be damaged by groundhog as they gnaw on woody vegetation. Mounds of earth from the excavated burrow systems and holes formed at burrow entrances present a hazard to farm equipment, animals and humans. On occasion, burrowing can building foundations.
In Pennsylvania, groundhogs are classified as game ani¬mals. Game protection is removed when they damage personal property. In that case, groundhogs can be controlled by the property owner using the lawful means. If a homeowner does not feel comfortable with any means of control, there are many wildlife pest control companies who can do this for you.
If the area is small, poultry wire or two inch woven mesh fencing can be installed. With three foot minimum above ground, the fence should have twelve inches buried in the ground, with six inches bent in an L shape pointing away.
Scarecrows can provide temporary relief from groundhog damage. Move them regularly and incorporate a high level of human activity in the susceptible area.
There are no repellents or toxicants that are for use on groundhogs. There are other products such as fumigants and gas cartridges available at home and garden centers which are labeled for use on groundhogs. Please carefully follow the directions as these are dangerous products.
There are live traps the homeowners can use as well. Place the trap near fresh damage or at the main entrance of the burrow. Use fresh bait such as apple slices, carrots, and lettuce. Be careful once the animal is trapped. Give some thought to a relocation area at least ten miles away and here the groundhog will not be the pest he was to you.
For more information on groundhogs or any other home horticulture topic, please contact the Penn State Master Gardener Helpline at (570) 963-6842 or email: LackawannaMG@psu.edu
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Avoid Attracting Bears
Observing wildlife while tending to our yards is one of the many joys of gardening; however, “Now is the time to keep bears from becoming a nuisance later in the summer,” according to Mark Ternent, Pennsylvania Game Commission black bear biologist. Bears are less likely to stay or return if they do not find anything rewarding. Ternent listed five suggestions that could prevent attracting bears to a property:
Play it smart. Do not feed wildlife. Food placed outside for wildlife, such as corn for squirrels, may attract bears. Summer bird feeder tips from Audubon Pennsylvania include: avoid using sunflower seeds, hummingbird nectar mixes or suet; bring feeders inside at night; or suspend feeders from high crosswires so they are at least 10 feet above the ground and four feet from anything a bear can climb, including overhead limbs.
Keep it clean. Don’t put out garbage until pick-up day; don’t throw table scraps out back; don’t add fruit or vegetable wastes to your compost pile; clean your barbecue grill regularly; and bring pet food dishes inside overnight.
Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay calm. Shout at it but don’t approach it. If the bear won't leave, call the nearest Game Commission regional office or local police department.
Eliminate temptation. Bears that visit your area are often drawn there. Neighbors need to work together to reduce an area’s appeal to bears. Ask area businesses to keep dumpsters closed and bear-proofed (chained or locked shut with a metal lid).
Check please! If your dog is barking, or cat is clawing at the door to get in, try to determine what has alarmed your pet using outside lights and from a safe position, such as a porch or an upstairs window. Don't do it on foot with a flashlight. Black bears blend in too well with nighttime surroundings providing the chance for a close encounter.
To report nuisance bears, contact the Game Commission Region Office nearest you. The telephone numbers for the Northeast Region Office in Dallas, Luzerne County, is 570-675-1143.
More information on bears is available on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on the “Wildlife” tab in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, and then selecting “Black Bears” From the “Mammals” section. Or contact your local cooperative extension office. In Lackawanna County ask for the Garden Help line at 963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu
Terry Schettini, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
Play it smart. Do not feed wildlife. Food placed outside for wildlife, such as corn for squirrels, may attract bears. Summer bird feeder tips from Audubon Pennsylvania include: avoid using sunflower seeds, hummingbird nectar mixes or suet; bring feeders inside at night; or suspend feeders from high crosswires so they are at least 10 feet above the ground and four feet from anything a bear can climb, including overhead limbs.
Keep it clean. Don’t put out garbage until pick-up day; don’t throw table scraps out back; don’t add fruit or vegetable wastes to your compost pile; clean your barbecue grill regularly; and bring pet food dishes inside overnight.
Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay calm. Shout at it but don’t approach it. If the bear won't leave, call the nearest Game Commission regional office or local police department.
Eliminate temptation. Bears that visit your area are often drawn there. Neighbors need to work together to reduce an area’s appeal to bears. Ask area businesses to keep dumpsters closed and bear-proofed (chained or locked shut with a metal lid).
Check please! If your dog is barking, or cat is clawing at the door to get in, try to determine what has alarmed your pet using outside lights and from a safe position, such as a porch or an upstairs window. Don't do it on foot with a flashlight. Black bears blend in too well with nighttime surroundings providing the chance for a close encounter.
To report nuisance bears, contact the Game Commission Region Office nearest you. The telephone numbers for the Northeast Region Office in Dallas, Luzerne County, is 570-675-1143.
More information on bears is available on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on the “Wildlife” tab in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, and then selecting “Black Bears” From the “Mammals” section. Or contact your local cooperative extension office. In Lackawanna County ask for the Garden Help line at 963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu
Terry Schettini, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
Tomatoes, 2010
In just a few weeks it will be time to plant tomatoes. When you buy transplants, choose plants that have a nice green color on the lower leaves. Choose plants with a thick stem. Avoid plants that have blossoms or small fruit unless they were grown in a 6” pot or larger. If you have not added calcium lime for a few years, apply it when you till your soil. Lime will help prevent the tomato fruit from getting blossom end rot. When you transplant tomatoes into the garden, plant them deep. Tomatoes will develop roots from the parts of the stem that are underground. Apply fertilizer soon after planting.
We are concerned about late blight being a problem in tomatoes again this summer. The summer weather will determine if late blight will be a problem in 2010 or not. It has been a problem for growers in Florida again this winter. If we have a cool wet summer, expect late blight to be active. Late blight does not do well when the weather is hot and dry. Fungicides containing chlorothalonil are effective at protecting tomatoes. If you use a fungicide, it will have to be on the foliage before the blight attacks and thorough leaf coverage is critical.
Also, every Saturday, through May 22nd, we are offering a Spring into Gardening Workshop at Bill’s Ace Hardware, Route 435 Daleville, PA. The Master Gardeners will answer your gardening questions from 11 am – 2 pm. Plus, at noon we will have demonstrations on various seasonal topics. This program is free and open to the public. Here are the upcoming topics:
We are concerned about late blight being a problem in tomatoes again this summer. The summer weather will determine if late blight will be a problem in 2010 or not. It has been a problem for growers in Florida again this winter. If we have a cool wet summer, expect late blight to be active. Late blight does not do well when the weather is hot and dry. Fungicides containing chlorothalonil are effective at protecting tomatoes. If you use a fungicide, it will have to be on the foliage before the blight attacks and thorough leaf coverage is critical.
Also, every Saturday, through May 22nd, we are offering a Spring into Gardening Workshop at Bill’s Ace Hardware, Route 435 Daleville, PA. The Master Gardeners will answer your gardening questions from 11 am – 2 pm. Plus, at noon we will have demonstrations on various seasonal topics. This program is free and open to the public. Here are the upcoming topics:
- May 1st - lawn care basics
- May 8th - landscaping for the birds
- May 15th - composting
- May 22nd - home food preservation basics
For more information contact your local cooperative extension office. In Lackawanna County call 963-6842 and ask for the Garden Helpline or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu
John Esslinger, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Purple Loosestrife
The color purple has substantial force associated with it. For ages in history, this hue has been the color of royalty. As an expensive dye, purple was only affordable to the elite. It has other connotations, such as religious clothing and decorations around holidays from Mardi Gras to Easter. This color has a special place in pop culture too, “The Color Purple” and “Purple Rain” are movies, plus countless songs.
In the home landscape, purple is a prominent color. Throughout the seasons, we can find various shades in perennials and annuals. Who doesn’t like seeing the hyacinth and crocus in the late winter? And the endless charm of Johnny Jump Ups, the tall purple coneflowers in the summer, and the purple winter creeper covering barren ground in the dead of cold are among the sights of purple’s majesty.
There is one purple threat though, Lythrum salicaria, or purple loosestrife. This invasive plant is an aggressive danger to wetlands. It replaces valuable native plants eliminating food and shelter for wildlife and can choke water ways. It offers no value to wildlife as it throttles the hiding and nesting areas of native species. Purple loosestrife can be found in all major watersheds in Pennsylvania and about half of the wetlands.
Compounding this dilemma, over the years some home owners have planted purple loosestrife in their gardens, attracted to its beauty and stature. Purple loosestrife can generate one million seeds in just one year. Plus it can grow from broken pieces left in moist areas and its underground root system.
To compound this purple threat, there are no native controls to hamper its spread. Purple loosestrife was introduced here from Europe in the 1800’s. As a result, all natural enemies, pests and diseases were left behind. An active part of controlling this noxious plant is active gardeners. As scouts and managers, they can be on the front line of defense. The Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County are holding a workshop on purple loosestrife highlighting this struggle in Northeast Pa. It will be held Monday May 10th from 7:30 – 8:30 pm at the Moscow Borough Building, 124 Van Brunt St. Moscow. For more information on this or any other home horticulture topic, please contact the Penn State Master Gardeners at (570) 963-6842 or email: LackawannaMG@psu.edu
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce
In the home landscape, purple is a prominent color. Throughout the seasons, we can find various shades in perennials and annuals. Who doesn’t like seeing the hyacinth and crocus in the late winter? And the endless charm of Johnny Jump Ups, the tall purple coneflowers in the summer, and the purple winter creeper covering barren ground in the dead of cold are among the sights of purple’s majesty.
There is one purple threat though, Lythrum salicaria, or purple loosestrife. This invasive plant is an aggressive danger to wetlands. It replaces valuable native plants eliminating food and shelter for wildlife and can choke water ways. It offers no value to wildlife as it throttles the hiding and nesting areas of native species. Purple loosestrife can be found in all major watersheds in Pennsylvania and about half of the wetlands.
Compounding this dilemma, over the years some home owners have planted purple loosestrife in their gardens, attracted to its beauty and stature. Purple loosestrife can generate one million seeds in just one year. Plus it can grow from broken pieces left in moist areas and its underground root system.
To compound this purple threat, there are no native controls to hamper its spread. Purple loosestrife was introduced here from Europe in the 1800’s. As a result, all natural enemies, pests and diseases were left behind. An active part of controlling this noxious plant is active gardeners. As scouts and managers, they can be on the front line of defense. The Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County are holding a workshop on purple loosestrife highlighting this struggle in Northeast Pa. It will be held Monday May 10th from 7:30 – 8:30 pm at the Moscow Borough Building, 124 Van Brunt St. Moscow. For more information on this or any other home horticulture topic, please contact the Penn State Master Gardeners at (570) 963-6842 or email: LackawannaMG@psu.edu
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce
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