Olympia, I gave up on trapping 25 years ago. Only good if you plan to eat them- you could fill garbage cans with them here when they are epidemic. I like my chemicals (when used responsibly) and consider the current public perception extremely naive. If you live in the west, you've no idea what people are up against east of the Mis. river. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fruit/msg0516032320983.html?22 If you are interested in what I consider a good discussion of the risks of agricultural pesticides, check this out. Franktank, yes, they are showing up in my earlier spots and damaging grapes, so fruit trees not far behind I'm sure. A customer has already asked me to assasinate them. Olpea, thanks. Maybe adding Asana wouldn't add much over Sevin XL plus. Don't want to use Imidan- trees too close to owners house.

Organic gardening is pesticide free in my garden. The only chemical I have ever sprayed in my garden is soapy water, and I hardly ever do even that. SInce I cover myself with soapy water all the time I don't consider that a pesticide ever though it can kill pests. Since people are advised to wash their produce before eating it, I think I could claim quite truthfully that my stuff is pesticide free. I have also killed some pests just with water (drowning), but I wouldn't call water a pesticide. "As to organic food being better nutritionally? Well probably not technically for the most part" Amazingly enough organic food has been shown to be better nutritionally. Probably relates to the soil being richer in organic material. Antioxidants and vitamins tested were significantly higher in organically grown produce. Here are two quotes from one article about it, just Google 'organic vitamin antioxidant higher nutrition' and you will find a slew of articles about all the research and analysis. >>The decline in our produce's nutritional value corresponds to the period of increasing industrialization of our farming systems. As we have substituted chemical fertilizers, pesticides and monoculture farming for the natural cycling of nutrients and on-farm biodiversity, we have lessened the nutritional value of our produce. Integrated well-established organic farming systems can counter the decline. >>For example, Virginia Worthington, a clinical nutritionist who earned her doctorate in nutrition at Johns Hopkins, published a review in 2001 of 41 studies comparing the nutritional value of organic and conventional produce. After tallying the data across all the studies, Worthington concluded that organic produce had on average 27 percent more vitamin C, 21.1 percent more iron, 29.3 percent more magnesium and 13.6 percent more phosphorous than conventional produce. I do agree that locally grown is just as important as organics, though. The amount of fuel spent transporting food around the globe is scary. Marcia Here is a link that might be useful: article the quote is from

HenBoy, Yes he will know when to leave. It is the shortening of the daylight hours that triggers the migration. Generally those that stay behind are the ones that are too old or possibly ill that instinctively know that they can't make the journey. Penny

Hi Tammy I have seen a flock of 30 to 40 bluebirds its rare but does happen the bluebird is very popular in New England and some towns run big trails. Martins are due back anytime after April 15th i watch the PMCA migration Map when residents in CT report scouts I drive down to the sites and look for them There migration is set by age. The oldest return first (to all sites) the 5-7 year old birds followed by younger birds weekly. A martin can fly from MD to CT in one day They have placed little transmitters on the back of martins and track there moments for the entire season. This is very wise information and takes all the guess work out of there migration. About 40% of my bluebirds winter here many that do perish I manage to many to feed them. May finally try to feed Martins. A friend on Cape Cod last year was feeding her Martins and tapped the entire experience for others to enjoy It can be done! Ray