Shopshops, we have not had much of a problem with grasshoppers. In fact, I rarely see them. Even one recent year when it was announced that it was a particularly "bad" year for them, I think we saw perhaps a half dozen over the course of the entire gardening season. My thought is that the garlic oil in the spray we routinely use and our occasional and judicious use of both diatomaceous earth and Neem oil has been effective at keeping them at bay. I understand that they can be a huge problem and I've read reports that Nosema locustae is effective but it also kills crickets (perhaps not a bad thing) and praying mantises - a bad thing. A couple of friends who have had issues with grasshoppers used permethrin and carbaryl and they both felt those chemicals helped. Neither of them raved however. The major problem of course is that neither chemical is safe for bees or fish, and even if it was sprayed before the bees came, I'm not certain if it is safe for bees once it has dried (the way Neem is). If this is a huge problem for you, it will likely take a combination of methods of control. One thing we always do is cultivate around the plants in fall to expose any eggs of grasshoppers and other pests. While they can overwinter if they are protected under the soil, once the soil is disrupted, if they are exposed, they won't survive freezing temperatures. The one other thing that I researched but didn't try (didn't need to) is cilantro. They notoriously dislike cilantro, and spraying a strong cilantro tea is reported to be an excellent repellant. Planting marigolds, which we do to repel a variety of pests also can help. Another suggestion that was bandied about at a garden meeting a few years ago was the use of flour to dust plants. If you are going to dust, my feeling is that DE is worth the time and energy. The weather does an excellent job of controlling them at times. They are sensitive to too much and too little rain. One can always pray for a heaven-sent solution to the problem. Unfortunately, getting rid of the ones you have doesn't necessarily get rid of the problem - they are not at all territorial, in fact they are highly migratory.... a reason why spraying with garlic and/or cilantro on an ongoing basis would be a good idea.

Robins are birds that I enjoy viewing, but not as they try to build nests under our porch lights which are on both sides of an area right by our front entrance door. For three days my husband has removed the straw, twigs, etc in order to prevent a completed robin's nest. They put the straw, twigs, etc. up, he takes them down immediately. Today after reading these posts, I sprayed the area with ant and roach spray that I use when the ants try to visit too close to our outside walkway. Two robins just came with straw in their mouths, but they flew away. I hope this is a long-term solution. This is the first time that we have had this problem in the nineteen years that we have lived here. I am already tired of the mess on our porch and the potential health hazard presented if the robins succeed in building a permanent nest. We have plenty of trees that the birds usually choose for their nests and are still quite welcome to do so. However, why our porch this year is a puzzle. Thanks to all who have posted for their solutions. To the haters, because one does not want a bird's nest in an area that he/she frequently uses in his/her home, does not label the person as an animal hater. Why should my quality of life be compromised daily upon trying to enter my home for the sake of a bird's nest? The answer is that it shouldn't and will not. We will win this fight and reclaim our safety and keep our good health.

Quotes from Sept 28, 2011. Southwest Michigan. I have no gutters currently. My roof is rectangular gabled. My fascia is 48 ft X 32 ft. I've gotten four quotes for 5 inch continuous gutter including two 3X4 downspouts. First quote 700 dollars. Company not listed with the BBB. Teenager came in a beater truck to make the quote and offered nothing in writing... said he'd email it if i wanted. He did not know, nor could I find out subsequently what the gauge of material was. Probably not allowed to name names here but this was a very well known outfit nationwide. Third quote was 920 dollars. Respected local contractor with lots of commercial references and A+ BBB rating. .032 ga continuous 5 inch. Second quote was between the two above, but using .027 ga and less well known contractor with little commercial experience/references. Fourth quote was from another nationwide well known name specializing in leaf guard systems. .032 continuous 5 inch gutter. Snap Lock fastening system. Leaf guard system. Sounds great. But... wait for it...7400.00 dollars. Holy @#it. Minus the leaf guard system.... 3800.00 dollars. Minus the SnapLock system.... 1900.00 dollars. All quoting contractors above were checked for insurance/bonding, warranty, etc and were comparable. The fourth quote offered essentially the same quality and content as the third, for 1000 dollars more. Easy choice. However.... I really do like the idea of the SnapLock system for three reasons. **It does not pierce the rear of the gutter at any point, eliminating potential leaks into the fascia/screws/fasteners. **It separates the back surface of the gutter from the fascia board by about 1/4 inch preventing water from remaining trapped against the wood and promoting rot. This is especially important since my fascia is processed wood and prone, if the sealing layer is damaged, to absorb water. **It allows a 50 ft run of continuous .032 inch gutter to expand and contract along its entire length without affecting the fasteners at all. It's too bad that there are not some competing alternatives to the SnapLock system. I can find nothing online. It's a great idea, but as an option it is no more than a single narrow strip of extruded aluminum added behind the gutter combined with modified hangars for attachment Approximately 150 dollars in additional material costs for the installer, quoted to me at 2900.00 dollars beyond my previously highest quote!!!!! And SnapLock is exclusive to the vendor mentioned above (quote four).

That feeding of deer is so, so very dumb. How do folks get to the point that they think they are "helping" the situation when feeding wild animals, the survival of which-at least as a species-absolutely cannot depend on handouts? In this state-since the repooplican takeover of state govt.-all wise management of natural resources, including deer, has been tossed into the fire (where they are also busy burning the books!) and what a surprise....as all efforts to halt chronic wasting disease-a serious disease of deer which apparently started out west but which traveled to Wisconsin via these ridiculous "deer farms", where many deer are together in crowded conditions, eating together, etc. have been halted, what a surprise! Now, following last fall's deer gun season, which is big business in a place like this, it is turning out that CWD is showing up all over the state, in something like 10% of animals tested. Good going guys! Bury your heads in the sand...maybe all problems will just go away! I'm thinking my venison-eating days may be over. Spongy brain disease, anyone?