Well, I went with a solid brick raised terrace rather than piered decking so there wouldn't be a drainage problem against the house foundation. I suppose the latticing you plan can be backed by screening but if they're determined, they'll hang their nests under your deck stairs. Houses have landscaping and lights that attract bugs and spiders which are handy food for wasp larva. The bug bomb under the deck sounds like the easiest solution. On the deck at my other house I had the guys install a collar of two boards wide, parallel to the foundation and attached with easy to remove screws. This way, when it's time for termite treatments it is easy to get that treatment right there at the foundation in an area that seems always moist and shaded..a termite favorite.

If they are trying to attach a paper nest to the underside of your deck, spraying WD-40 on the spot will keep them from building there. But there are also German yellow jackets that nest in holes in the ground....or in a crack in your siding and get into your walls. That's nasty stuff! If they are going into a hole in your house, call an exterminator....my son landed in the ER because he was attacked when he accidentally disturbed a nest! Nasty bugs!! Linda C PS my son is a grown man, past 40...not a child!

ever since making cranberry jezabel a few years ago, i decided that i actually liked cranberry sauce! not a doubt in my mind that i need to do a test run on that ginger/pear recipe! and what's even more clear is that i am just going to have to try out marilyn's version of stuffing! and you are right, ann--you don't mess with family favorites on thanksgiving and i know that ted's sister would just love that sweet potato recipe of yours and i'm going to make sure she gets it--thank you! and thanx for the "cheater baked beans" chase. i've made annie's several time and i'm sure we'd enjoy your version as well--we both are fans of limas! and of COURSE your family must have those beautiful dills of yours! it just wouldn't be right, otherwise...i'm glad you and elery will be able to share the time together annie, and raise a toast to all that have gone before us. sometimes traditions change long before we are ready for them to do so... i was going to try out one other new dish this year--an apple and cranberry sauce. it smelled so good while it was cooking that i even toyed with the idea of making some little pastry cups and adding in a teaspoon or two of the leftover sauce for later on. well--back to the drawing board. there wasn't room for everything in the fridge and it's been quite cold out so i put the covered sauce pan out on the deck and sort of forgot about it. we had just finished mixing the stuffing last night and time to rearrange things, and i remembered my sauce! so i went out to get it. man, that saucepan was HEAVY! well you boob. we'd had a driving rain the night before and that lid just couln't compete with the wind--my cranberry sauce is now soup! ladle anyone? anyway, a clink of my coffee cup to all--hope you have a wonderful and peaceful day regardless of what is or isn't on the menu this year!

Always a treat to hear about your 'babies', Caroline. We're on round three of Cardinals -- if the young ones a-courtin' now lay eggs. We have mature arbor vitae around two sides of our lot -- and some privit that they seem to favor. I was drawn to the creek last week by calling between a pair of (I think?) Flickers and their four 'kids'. (Whistling cries; spotted breasts; red 'gorgets' on their necks.) They were searching for insects on tree trunks -- and probably finding plenty of emerald ash borers. We have some big tree removal bills coming up!