National branding launched to reach “everyday” families – Nature Rocks
June 14, 2009Reminder: Membership Meeting 6/25 8am
June 18, 2009Hi from Toni & Marc, National Wildlife Federation Habitat Ambassadors!
Celebrate National Pollinator week by coming to our Annual ‘Parade of Certified Wildlife Gardens’ on Sunday, June 28 from noon to 6. All of the gardens are in the Worthington area this year.
For more information see www.backyardhabitat.info – maps are in Tour Guide on the right side of the main page.
Carpenter Bees are gentle native bees that come in large and small sizes: black abdomen with yellow and black fuzz above. They do drill into wood to lay their eggs. In the wild they bore into dead trees and wood, helping break down the material as part of a natural ecosystem.
They are also excellent pollinators, far more proficient than European honeybees. To see information about pollinators of all sorts visit the Pollinator Partnership, http://www.pollinator.org/
If Carpenter Bees cause excessive damage, the OSU Agriculture Extension recommends avoiding the problem by painting the wood with polyurethane or oil-based paint (not wood stain) before they bore more holes. A more expensive but permanent option would be to have wood surfaces wrapped with metal matching your gutters.
Special Note: Any holes they’ve already drilled this year shouldn’t be treated or wrapped. There are babies inside, we owe them the chance to grow up — especially since taking the right steps in the fall will prevent recurrence of the problem next year.
Have a happy summer!
