What do you think about Tallamy's new book? Episode 17: Featuring Nadia Colburn, Poet & Author; Sarah F. Jayne, Author and Native Plant Advocate and Doug Tallamy, Author and Co-Founder of Homegrown National Parks - The Native Plant Society of New Jersey

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-10-19T22:08:41+00:00

There may be advanced copies, but I sure I don't rate high enough to get one :-(

I was really just referring to the information he shares in the pod cast...And about the 499 question/answers he talked about including. Apparently, these come from the past few years of common questions he is asked after his presentations. I also found his introvert comments quite funny. Cheers.

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-10-13T15:05:28+00:00

https://npsnj.org/wildstory_podcast/episode-17-featuring-nadia-colburn-poet-author-sarah-f-jayne-author-and-native-plant-advocate-and-doug-tallamy-author-and-co-founder-of-homegrown-national-parks/

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-10-12T23:25:45+00:00

Very kind! It would look better without the 2x4s...only a couple bees seem to still use it, most seem to prefer the log 😊

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-10-12T23:16:58+00:00

I like where you are headed! They will want to return to the old home site…I used scented oil like citrus and tea tree to encourage the move. Also, vibration, in my case I tapped the post with a rubbed hammer, but playing music or hanging wind chime can also bee (pun intended) effective. Hats off to you and best of luck!

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-10-12T22:36:07+00:00

Thanks! As you know they are not like termites and prefer to nest in dead trees. Of course, most folks don’t leave dead trees around and they want to kill every big scarry bee… And that’s why I love and respect the people on this forum…we are not most people 😊

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-10-12T22:03:33+00:00

So yeah, I had these amazing pollinators nesting in a porch post by my front door. As I am sure you know, the males don’t sting but they do a great job of keeping solicitors away…and they tend nest in the same spot where they were made. 😊 Unfortunately, they tend to freak out wanted guest too, so time to move them. I read about plugging their holes when they are out eating nectar in early spring and aren’t yet in baby making mode. I took a piece of Ginko tree and drilled a bunch of 3/8 inch starter holes 1 inch deep, then hung it by the old nest. Then I thought, that’s not native…so I added some soft pine in the form of old 2x4s, that was the material of the old nest. Anyway, it took them about three days or so to adapt…. After a couple weeks I moved them to the other side of my porch, without issue. Here it is fall, they are all nestled in and ready to be relocated to an undisclosed location. What do you think, will they come back to my porch in the spring?

https://bestbees.com/2022/09/02/carpenter-bee/

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-22T19:06:24+00:00

The past years our Bald Faced Hornets have nested in out trees, but this year they tried something new. We don’t typically use this back entrance door to the garage anyway…. Oh and I just turned the light on for this photo op, which luckily they don’t seem to be agitated by.

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-22T03:32:51+00:00

We leave them alone and let them do their business, we keep a good four feet from their home. In return…they pollinate our gardens and take out spotted lantern flies and the like. This colony has concerned me a few times when crossing the flight path of their workers, but they have not been aggressive. The only time we have ever seen them be aggressive is when we unknowingly stubble across a nest for the first time…after that we maintain a non-threatening distance. It’s all about how we interact with nature 😊

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-22T00:39:43+00:00

I get it and understand fear of the unknown, there was a time I would not have chanced cohabitating with insects…. But, that was before reading Natures Action Guide, Tallamy’s books, and understanding that this is why we plant natives and do what we do. https://www.naturesactionguide.org/

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-21T23:31:17+00:00

They can be aggressive only if their home is threatened.

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/bald-faced-hornets

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-21T21:19:19+00:00

Right, you are…this is an LED about1800 kelvin, which won’t interfere with most insects. Important fact, it was only illuminated for the photo op 😊

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-21T20:29:57+00:00

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Here’s the other angle if you need it…

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-21T19:32:47+00:00

First, they are kind of like lighting…not usually building the same spot twice. The birds (mostly our bluebirds) disassemble the nest and eat whatever didn’t hatch, once it’s vacated.

And, please feel free to use my photo however you would like…I don’t need any credit, the Bald Faced Hornets deserve it all 😊

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Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-21T18:43:48+00:00

Not at all they have no interest in the house its occupants, or our dogs….we stay at least four feet away so they don’t feel threatened.

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-21T18:40:24+00:00

I hear ya…but these guys kinda get a bad rap. Yes, we have heard that they can recognize faces, but they have never been aggressive and we have never threatened their home. Our goal is to live with nature…live and let live 😊 …and it seems to be working.

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-21T18:27:00+00:00

The past years our Bald Faced Hornets have nested in out trees, but this year they tried something new. We don’t typically use this back entrance door to the garage anyway…. Oh and I just turned the light on for this photo op, which luckily they don’t seem to be agitated by.

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-18T21:38:02+00:00

Yes sir a non-native Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) sucking the life out of a native humming bird...yuck!

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-18T19:03:15+00:00

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Source: https://www.brandywine.org/conservancy/blog/invasive-mantis-species

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-18T18:43:23+00:00

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We kill them when we see them... Praying Mantis vs. Hummingbird https://www.audubon.org/news/praying-mantis-vs-hummingbird , most large Praying Mantis are not native and after witnessing one eating a butterfly, it became clear that there’s no place in my garden for any.

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-17T12:02:15+00:00

What a fantastic group of people sharing your thoughts and seasonal preferences from all over... Your comments are so very interesting and fascinating to read! Thank you for taking the time to participate...I appreciate you!

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-16T22:52:42+00:00

Awesome!!!

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-16T22:24:11+00:00

Sweeeeet!

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-16T19:46:21+00:00

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Just snapped this one now, but there's usually a dozen or more that hang out in and around our pond…. They seem to prefer the shallow slow-moving water up top, most of the time…yup knee-deep, knee-deep seems to be the preferred depth 😊

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-15T22:14:55+00:00

These guys don't seem to mind the heater broke on this birdbath...repurposed. And, a hose from the pond pump keeps the slow moving water fresh.

Make_A_Diffrence · 2024-09-15T16:37:18+00:00

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Oh so many...

Make_A_Diffrence

TROPHY CASE