hooks: Try using plain rubbing alcohol (or 409 or Fantastik, or their generic equivalent) on the plant (Spritz it on the leaves and stems). Make sure to water the plant thoroughly as the treatment is slightly drying to the plant, (and thoroughly drying to many insects). It works on ants, and spider mites, mealy bugs etc - so it may work on spiders too. Most 'bug sprays' available for home use are made using pyrethrins - which occur in, or are derived from chemicals that occur in, chrysanthemums, and do not contain active 'heavy chemicals' per se [by which I'm assuming that you mean they are made somehow only from a barrel of 'heavy' crude oil]. Please check out the article on natural carcinogens you are exposed to in a holiday dinner below. The main point is: just because it's manmade doesn't mean it's toxic, and just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safe. Here is a link that might be useful: Carcinogens in a Holiday Dinner

I'm no expert but hated to see your inquiry sit for a week with no responses. :-) Without seeing a closer image, I'm guessing that is a Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart' (Rose of Sharon). They can be pruned in late fall, early spring. There are some sterile cultivars that don't produce seeds. You can get lots of good "starts" from the softwood cuttings when you prune. Here is a link that might be useful: pruning Hibiscus syriacus

Yup, you're right. Thank you! Just had it ID'd at Bugguide.net. Kinda worried about getting bitten, though... just read that these are among the most likely to bite, and that gardeners are most at risk for this. In my small space, we are likely to encounter each other quite a bit. I know they won't cause me harm, but I am likely to freak out and hurt it if it does bite me, and I don't want that to happen. On the other hand, the benefits he will likely bring may outweigh this worry...

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't heard about having to pay the lenders costs in a short sale, is that common? I don't mind paying mine, but I'm not going to pay theirs too! They're the ones who made this ridiculous deals with people. If it's the case they'd take, say 85% of the first loan, that would still be more than my offer - but how does the fact of all these repairs need to be done affect the price they'd take after the 85%-90% they'd accept. There's no way anyone would pay that AND have to put all that money in to the house on top of it. Would make more sense just to pay more and buy a house that's kept up and in no need of repairs. I need all the luck I can get, I'm not hopeful at all about this deal - besides the horror stories I've read about SS and the time frame it takes to get one completed, they seem to be more of a pain in the butt to go through. My motto is, "if it's meant to be, it's meant to be!" Thanks again!