‘Tis the Season. No, not that one, but you can bet your bottom dollar that if there is a mosquito hatch near you that those little beasts will seek you out.
Flies! Never seen anything like the hatch of those in the last few days. Hopefully they will leave to do their thing elsewhere. No blackflies at this time. I do know from my years in Atlin and Cassiar that those critters require some form of chemical warfare.
Back to mosquitoes; if you have lots of swallows and bats around your home you can be quite comfortable. However, if you travel into the bush a bit at dawn or dusk they will find you. What to do? Our stores shelves are lined with repellents that contain a variety of chemicals.
Why not try to make a natural product for yourself? Mix some essential oil like lemon, citronella cinnamon. Add olive oil or witch hazel to the mix.
Don’t wear dark clothing, perfume or eat bananas.
Don’t forget your dogs. Chemicals are not a good idea for an animal that grooms itself. Try mixing some bath oil and vinegar. Some folks I know use dryer sheets or rubbing alcohol. Don’t rub deet on an animal. Don’t rub it on a person either. Cats seem to have less of a problem.
Many birds in all regions are helping out with the bug situation. American redstarts flit about eating bugs in the willow forest.
Had a report from the Northeast. The bog area east of Fort Nelson where a mockingbird was seen. Another report from Prince George as well.
Jack saw and heard a couple bitterns out Babine Lake way. Must have been a nesting pair. Some folks were there doing a nesting survey.
Hummingbirds? Where are they? They are busy with nesting. They also eat bugs. They will come back to your feeders soon.
Yellow rumped warbler here and a magnolia warbler seen along the community forest trail in Fort Nelson. Also heard in that area was the Tennessee warbler.
Even though it seems quiet at feeders now, most feeder birds will return with their young to see if food is still available. For those who do not feed birds in the summer a bit of a wait would be a good idea.
A bear popped (or pooped) around here last night to see how much seed was left in feeders. So today garbage was taken away. No barbecue smells here. Suet cakes will be taken down.
Be safe in the forest when the bears are roaming about. Make some noise, listen up and watch for bear sign. Warm poop, scratches on trees and the bear itself of course. Watch that your dogs do not bring a bear back to you.
Thanks to Karen from Fort Nelson for the suggestion for repellents for people and pets. Her call had come to 250-846-5095. E-mail notes can come to mallory@bulkley.net.
Brenda Mallory writes the weekly Spice of Life/For the Birds column.