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#1 |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
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It seems to me that the more nectar and pollen sources I provide the more varieties of insects I've seen...and I've witnessed their interaction. Just yesterday, I took a photo of an insect predator perched atop a grass seedhead...upon closer inspection of the photo once it was uploaded, I noticed what I think is a tick in its mouth--er mandibles?
![]() I'm not certain that it is a tick, but I like the idea of natural pest control. Nature tends to balance things out...and it seems to me that the more floral biodiversity we put in our yards, the more faunal biodiversity we will attract and the natural controls will keep things in balance.
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"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
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#2 |
Fox
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Wisconsin
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I think you are onto a big picture truth that too many of us have lost sight of. Nature's scheme does balance things, but we keep altering it in detrimental ways. We reach for that insecticide without realizing that that pesticide is not only killing the 'pest' but all the other insects that would normally keep it in check. We strive for 'perfection' without realizing that if we ever did achieve it there would be no food source for the predators that feed on that 'pest'.
We spread too many invasive species because we don't want to be bothered with the effort involved in preventive measures; or we think that 'this' invasive species won't be detrimental in 'this' situation. We create large unnatural monocultures (like 1 acre lawns) and then blame nature for trying to return it to something natural. I don't mean to sound negative or imply that everything we do is harmful to nature, but we do need to pay a little more attention to natural processes and natural ecosystems. This little tune keeps popping into my mind: http://artists.letssingit.com/joni-mitchell-lyrics-big-yellow-taxi-tsgr9wh
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. Age is a biological fact. Old is a state of mind. I will age, but I refuse to get old. Last edited by NEWisc; 07-29-2013 at 03:50 PM. Reason: Added a musical reference |
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#3 | |||
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
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__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
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#4 |
A Bee's Best Friend
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Chicago Illinois USA
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I so agree with you about biodiversity being a necessary and long term effective way to natural balances.
With food I am learning to try growing different vegetables each year but it is hard to give up the tomatoes and squash. Growing them in conjunction with native plants and other new vegetables each year makes it easier to control what does appear. |
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#5 | |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
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__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
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#6 | |
Fox
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Wisconsin
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The remaking of that song does have a bit of reassurance about it. It's good that each generation finds something of value in it's message.
__________________
. Age is a biological fact. Old is a state of mind. I will age, but I refuse to get old. |
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#7 | |
WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
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![]() Yes, and we need all the reassurance we can get.
__________________
"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~ |
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Tags |
control, natural, pest |
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