Nature and Animals

Heat and humidity will continue with the arrival of August. We can expect rain and thunderstorms for about two thirds of the month. Everything is growing rampantly…ornamental plants, weeds, fungus and critters. Now is when you must do frequent checks to see how the garden is faring. It’s amazing what can happen, seemingly overnight. We’re […]

EASTERN CORAL SNAKE Regardless of what some people say, Florida snakes are not aggressive, and unless they are cornered, most will flee when they see you. If you find a snake in your backyard, swimming pool, or garage, do not try to kill it – instead, try to identify it, and if it is non-venomous, […]

Ready for thunderstorms in the lightning capital of the United States? July’s average of 23 storms tops any month of the year. Expect precipitation of 8 to 9 inches. The rainy season eases the BSM irrigation water’s salinity creating opportunities for new plantings. • Selecting Plants – Look around at what is doing well within […]

It is a Lee County law, as well as a Burnt Store Marina rule, that all dogs are to be on leashes whenever outside residences. The open lot at the corner of Cape Cole and Matecumbe is not a dog park. The Commodore residents own the whole part that is landscaped. Please keep your dogs […]

TURKEY VULTURE Vultures or Buzzards? Buzzards are not scavengers; they are raptors that don’t exist in North America, where its name is commonly misused. Vultures on the other hand, do exist here and are the “garbage men” of the natural world. They eat dead carcasses, cleaning up the environment, thereby preventing the spreading of diseases. […]

CASEWORM MOTH Have you looked out in your yard and spotted crusty little do-dads, hanging on your screens, and sometimes even hanging on your walls? Nasty! What are they, and where did they come from? The other evening, my neighbor and friend Debbie, was sitting outside with us, enjoying some libations. She pulled something off […]

June is the month when afternoon thunderstorms start appearing. Rain, humidity, heat and lots of sun change the way plants grow. Everything speeds up, including diseases and pests. Keep a sharp eye out for odd leaf growth patterns, circular necrosis and/or yellow veining on leaves. • Turf requires a complete, slow-release fertilizer. Due to county […]

Have you seen wasp-like insects on your oleanders? They are dark metallic blue, with a couple of white polka-dots dotting the wings and abdomen, with the tip of the abdomen bright red. They are called polka dot wasp moths, and sometimes Uncle Sam moths because they are red, white and blue. They look like a […]