The Allandale Reporter

Is this your cat?

Hello,

There is a black and orange female cat that I am sure is someone's lost  pet in the White Rock and Rickey area.  She is very sweet and I am trying to find her owner. I have asked several neighbors, who told me she showed up about 6-8 weeks ago.  I have placed ads on Craig's list, Tabby Tracker and with the Human Society. Attached is a photo of the cat.  She is a domestic long hair, with gold eyes.  I am fairly certain she has been spayed. Also, her tongue sticks out a bit when her mouth is closed! I can be contacted by email at giddens5@yahoo.com or by cell at 402-984-5826.

 

Michelle Giddens

Earwigs

by Wizzie Brown

Earwigs, while mostly a nuisance, may scare homeowners with the sight of their enlarged pincers on the abdomen. Their name comes from a wives’ tale that they would enter the ear while a person was sleeping and tunnel into the brain.

Earwigs are somewhat flattened, brown to black in color with large forcep-like pincers coming off the tip of the abdomen. Adults have a pair of shortened, leathery forewings that cover the membranous hindwings.

Earwigs feed on other insects that are alive or dead. They will also feed on decaying organic matter, lichen, moss, fungi or greasy foods.

When earwigs are found indoors, they are moving in from outside as an accidental invader. The insects can be removed with a vacuum or broom. If large numbers are found indoors, you may need to treat with a residual insecticide outdoors. It may also help your management program to utilize some of the following:

• Replace old weather stripping around doors & windows

• Seal pipe penetrations and cracks & crevices with sealant

• Keep grass & foliage trimmed around the structure

• Eliminate damp areas in crawl spaces or around the foundation

• Reduce lighting around doors & windows or use yellow bulbs that are less attractive to insects

For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600. Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com. (photo credit: WesDigital)

 

 

Cicada Killers

What follows is the latest article from Wizzie Brown:

Many people panic when they see large wasps flying low over their yard during the summer.  It can be a common sight and if one looks, the will often find holes in the yard or flower beds that are surrounded by small piles of dirt.  The wasps are cicada killers and can be considered a beneficial insect.

Cicada killers are about 1 ½ inches long with a reddish-brown head and thorax and an abdomen that is black with yellow markings.  Wings have a rusty color.  Males can be aggressive and buzz near people, but they are unable to sting.  Females are capable of stinging but are rarely aggressive towards humans or animals.
Females dig burrows in the ground for nesting areas.  Females sting cicadas to paralyze them, take the cicada back to the burrow and then lay an egg upon it.  When the egg hatches, the larvae feed upon the cicadas provided.

Cicada killers usually do not warrant any control methods.  They are actually beneficial insects that help to reduce populations of cicadas.  If you feel that you must do something to manage them, you can sprinkle insecticidal dust around the opening of the burrow.

For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600.  Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Clothes Moths

by Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension

Clothes moths can cause considerable damage to materials containing wool, fur or other animal-derived products.  There are two common clothes moths, case making clothes moths and webbing clothes moths. The names describe the larval (caterpillar) stage of the moth.  Case-making clothes moths spin silken cases that they drag along with them while they feed.  Webbing clothes moths feed within silken burrows that they spin over the surface of fabric.

Adults are small, tan moths about 3/8 an inch long.  They are weak fliers and avoid light.  Larvae like to feed in protected areas, such as folded clothing, and rarely leave their food source.

To reduce or avoid clothes moth problems, the following tips may be helpful:Locate & remove any infested items

• Look in drawers & closets, on the floor, on or under furniture, on or in walls, ceilings & atticsLaunder or dry clean clothing
• Periodically shake & air out items such as rugs & clothing
• Use heat and/ or cold to kill insects in infested items
• Thoroughly clean storage areas
• Store clothing in tightly sealed containers
• Cedar is not that effective in repelling clothes moths
•     It must be freshly cut or chipped for vapors to be effective & vapors lose potency quickly
• Mothballs (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) can be used to repel insects
•     Read & follow all label instructions
•     Use only in sealed areas or closed containers
•     Note that the fumes from these products may soften or melt some plastics
• Insecticide sprays can be used to supplement sanitation techniques
• Removing all items from the area before treating with an insecticide

For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600.  Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Constable's Notebook - December 2010

By Constable Bruce Elfant

"Tell me about your military service," Travis County Judge Michael Denton asks Joe, a 30 year old who was charged with criminal trespass and assault. Joe told the Judge that he served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. His unit was responsible for deploying Navy Seals and retrieving them from their assignments. Joe was the first Veteran to participate in a dry run of the newly formed Travis County Veteran's Court that will hear mostly misdemeanor cases involving Veterans who have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury or other similar illnesses resulting from their service in the armed forces.

Austin-Travis County Obesity Survey thru Oct 31st

The City of Austin Health and Human Services Department is seekingfeedback from Austin/Travis County residents on the development of a newObesity Prevention Strategic Plan. The Plan will address policy andenvironmental changes that would make it easier for residents to eathealthy and be physically active. To learn more and provide yourfeedback, go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ATCobesity  through October 31st(Sunday). Please share the survey link with friends, neighbors, colleagues, and clients. Post it on your Facebook page, website, neighborhood associationlistserv, etc. 

Seven Strategies identified thus far in Stakeholder meetings:

1. Create policies that increase healthy food and drink choices in Citybuildings and parks, as well as at City events.
2. Promote policies requiring school cafeterias to clearly label healthyfood choices and to market the healthy choices to children.
3. Make healthy food more available in neighborhoods that have limitedaccess to it.
4. Make the number of obese and overweight people living in a neighborhoodan important factor when deciding which parks, trails, and recreationcenters to improve.
5. Make sure there is enough secure bike parking at schools so morechildren can ride their bikes.
6. Make sure any plan to improve a neighborhood includes sidewalks, trails,parks, and playgrounds.
7. Keep outdoor areas at public schools open after hours so people can usethose areas for fitness and recreation.

If you need any additional information regarding this program, pleasecontact:

Kristy Hansen, M.Ed., CHES
Obesity Prevention Program Coordinator
Austin/Travis County HHSD 
Kristy.Hansen@ci.austin.tx.us

 

Constable’s Notebook – November 2010

By Constable Bruce Elfant

The announcement last May by state and local leaders that Formula One (F1) racing would be coming to Austin in 2012 was greeted by surprise and excitement. Supporters say that F1 racing will employ 1,500 construction workers and 1,200 full time employees and will generate about $300 million for the Austin Area. State Comptroller Susan Combs who committed $250 million (over 10 years) of state funds to support the project said that local governments would be reimbursed for costs incurred with hosting F1 events.

Hopefully Ms. Combs and other F1 backers are right about the benefits of F1 but when she described it as a “done deal” no work had been done to address water, energy, traffic or environmental considerations that would be necessary to support the F1 facility. When F1 officials finally contacted Travis County officials five months after their announcement they still did not know what infrastructure would be needed, how much it would cost or if taxpayers would be reimbursed for all costs associated with this project.

Cockroaches

The common cockroaches found outside include the American and Smokybrown cockroaches.  American cockroaches are about 1 ½ - 2 inches long, reddish-brown with yellow markings above the head.  The adults have well-developed wings, but seldom fly; they do often glide.  American cockroaches are usually found outside near decayed trees and plants, in crawl spaces and sewers.  Smokybrown cockroaches are often mistaken with American cockroaches.  Smokybrowns are about 1 inch long and dark brown to black.  Adults have fully developed wings and are capable of flight.  This species often inhabits leaf litter, compost piles and ground cover.

If you find cockroaches in your compost pile, in leaf litter or other outdoor locations, it isn’t really necessary to kill them.  You may want to make sure that your house is excluded to avoid having the outdoor cockroaches move indoors when the temperatures cool down.  The following tips may help:

• Prune back any vegetation touching or overhanging the home
• If you have a brick or stone façade, stuff weep holes with steel wool or copper mesh. Steel wool will rust if it gets wet and may stain light colored facades
• Make sure screens are in good repair
• Replace weather stripping where doorways do not have a good seal
• Repair any water leaks
• Clean debris from gutters
• Place stainless steel screening over vent access in the atticUse sealant around pipe penetrations or other cracks or crevices into the home

For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600.  Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

Join Us to Learn About Plans for Improving MoPac

TxDOT and the Mobility Authority invite you to attend one of two open house meetings to learn more about the MoPac Improvement Project. Information will be provided about the history of the project, the environmental process, the various improvements being considered, and project timeline. Attendees will also have the opportunity to review materials, speak with TxDOT and Mobility Authority staff and consultants, and provide feedback on the various transportation solutions being considered. Attendees are invited to come and go at their convenience.

When: Wednesday, October 6, 6pm - 8pm
Where: Murchison Middle School, Cafeteria 3700 North Hills Drive, Austin, Texas

For more information about the open house meetings, contact Steve Pustelnyk at 512-996-9778.

Announcements for Upcoming Allandale Newsletter

We are working on the October edition of the Allandale Neighbor and seeking announcements. Please forward along news on Allandale births, deaths, and celebrations (marriages, awards, distinctions, etc.) that have occurred since the August newsletter. 

Also, if you just moved into the neighborhood, please send along an introduction. Deadline for the October newsletter is September 26. Email announcements to allandalereporter@yahoo.com.

Thanks, 

Tom Linehan
Editor
Allandale Neighbor