I have seen 2 seemingly healthy trees fall victim to borers. One a Sycamore about 6 inches in caliper, it was planted as a whip. It had a v shape I got rid of one side of the V, hoping for a 1 leader tree. The borers attacked the pruning site where I got rid of the other side of the V. The other was my mom's large Tulip tree (liriodendron tulipfera) Missplelled I know. It was 3 ft diameter at least. Borers attacked the lower trunk, where I would bet if I had money, my dad ran into it with the tractor. This happened before I was the primary grass cutter of the family, so i am off the hook. So both of these things in my yard, I can guess there was injury or at least stress involved. But with the Dutch Elm thing, that happened to many likely not injured or stressed trees. I just think or darn well hope that there must be the situation where most trees aren't dying when there is no previous problem. But not to get into a whole "messy thing" but healthy people can get Ebola if exposed. This is a tool to get my point across ONLY. I know nothing specific about that whole mess. But, I had figured that the bugs were natures cleanup crew, and good wood would not fall prey to disease and/or insects unless there was/is an underlying problem that is just how nature is. There are some surviving Dutch Elms (or Elms) in the UK according to a book I have. The disease never reached those few trees.

hi. I was wondering if you has seeds of Asclepias Variegata for SASE, trade, or if you could send me some. E-mail me please. Click on my name above (blue) and click send me an e-mail. Thanks, Danny

If you are boiling the water and changing the feeders every three days you are doing two things right. Mold will grow under most temperatures, but grow best with heat and moisture. If you have any significant mold spores either in the feeders or the jar you store the mixture in they will grow rapidly. Generally, using very hot water and soap works, as long as the feeders and jars are very dry before you add the sugar water. In your case I recommend using a mixture of bleach and soap to clean, making sure that you rinse off the feeders and jars very well afterwards because bleach tends to adhere to most surfaces. Also, make sure the feeders are completely dry before you add the sugar water. The one thing that mold loves is moisture. If the feeders and jars are dry you can be sure that there is very little mold. Feeders aren't expensive. I put out only two. I have four feeders, so the new ones I put out are completely dry. Let us know how things go and good luck.

Question, Our wasp are starting to be attracted to meat more than sugar. Some are still after the hummingbird nectar, but do you think that putting the juice from a piece of steak will attract them? I think I'll make one with fruit juice and one with meat juice to see which one will be better. I'll let ya know how that works out. John Patrick Here is a link that might be useful: Bird Oasis.