Earth Gauge

Attack of the Ants

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:33:05 +0000

Ants are one of the most common and unwelcome household pests. While rains can help keep populations in-check by flooding nests and drowning adult ants, dry weather and drought can send them searching for food and water. Warm, dry summer weather is prime ant-invasion time!

Viewer Tip: There are easy steps you can take at home to keep ants at bay, and some environmentally-friendly ways to tackle ants that have already arrived.

Keep your kitchen tidy - store food in closed containers, wipe countertops and sinks, and keep dirty dishes and garbage cleaned-up.
Make sure hoses, spigots, and faucets are not dripping - water can attract ants.
If ants have already shown up inside, give this home remedy at try: Mix a teaspoon of liquid dish soap with water in a spray bottle. Spray intruders - the solution will kill ants instantly, and mask the scent ants leave behind to help others find food. Citrus oil and water also works.
If you need to buy a bait trap, look for one made with boric acid, which is less-toxic than some other insect-control chemicals.

Season: Summer

(Sources: Klein, H.D. and A.M. Wennter. “Tiny Game Hunting: Environmentally Healthy Ways to Trap and Kill Pests in Your House and Garden.” University of California Press, 2001.; North Carolina State University. 2002. “Sinks Alive! Ants Go Marching Indoors to Find Nourishment.” http://www.ncsu.edu/news/press_releases/02_08/201.htm; National Geographic Green Guide. “Pest Control - Ants.” http://thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=74&sec=3)

Heat and Health

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:30:00 +0000

In an average summer in the U.S., about 1500 people die from excesssive heat events. Excessive heat may disproportionately affect people in cities, where paved roads, buildings, and other “hard” surfaces absorb and trap heat from the sun. This “urban heat island effect” means that cities do not cool down at night like rural areas do, offering less relief from high temperatures during the nighttime hours.

Viewer Tip: Older adults are at increased risk for developing heat-related illnesses. As we age, our body’s cooling mechanism doesn’t work as efficiently, and living alone or being confined to a bed can further increase vulnerability to high temperatures. Individuals without air conditioning who live on top floors of buildings are likely to be exposed to excessive heat, and certain medications and medical conditions can increase risk. Keep these simple tips in mind to cope with the heat:

Air conditioning is one of the best protectors against heat-related illnesses - just a few hours per day in A/C can reduce risk of illness. If your home does not have air conditioning, visit a senior center, movie theater, library, mall, or a designated community cooling center.
A fan may provide some relief, but when temperatures reach the high 90’s, electric fans do not prevent heat-related illness.
Wear light-weight, loose clothing that is light in color. Drink plenty of fluids, and avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, or lots of sugar, which can cause dehydration.
If you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who is at risk, visit them at least twice per day. If you see signs of heat-related illness - confusion, hot and dry skin, hallucinations, or aggression - seek help immediately.

Season: Summer

(Sources: US EPA. October 2007. “It’s Too Darn Hot - Planning for Excessive Heat Events.” Publication number: EPA 100-F-07-025, www.epa.gov/aging)

Air Improvement (Atlanta, GA)

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:27:46 +0000

The American Lung Association’s 2008 State of the Air Report found that about one-third of people in the U.S. live an an area with unhealthful levels of ground-level ozone pollution, and Atlanta ranked number 12 on the list of 25 cities with the highest number of high-ozone days. Ozone pollution, which forms when emissions from vehicles, yard care equipment, and other sources react with heat and sunlight, can cause health problems for more than 120,000 kids and adults in Fulton County suffering from asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Viewer Tip: You can help protect air quality at home by taking simple steps to reduce backyard emissions. Make sure that lawn mowers and other gas-powered equipment are functioning properly, and use the correct fuel-oil mixture in two-stroke equipment for maximum efficiency. Try to mow during cooler parts of the day - early morning or evening - when ozone pollution is less likely to form. And, if you have a small job, consider using hand-powered tools such as push mowers and hand clippers to eliminate emissions completely!

Season: Summer

(Sources: The American Lung Association. 2008. “State of the Air.” http://www.stateoftheair.org/; U.S. EPA Office of Mobile Sources. “Your Yard and Clean Air.” http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/19-yard.pdf)

Oh So Sweet Corn

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:25:03 +0000

One of summer’s favorite treats is sweet corn, but the same hot weather that brings us the crop makes its sweetness short-lived once it’s picked. At 86° F, more than half of the sugars in an ear of corn may convert to starch in a single day. Whether you’re growing your own corn in the garden, picking it locally, or purchasing it from a market vendor, you’ll want to make sure your corn cools down fast-unless you’re going to eat it right away.
Viewer tip: Trim the “flag” leaves off the ears as soon as possible, so they don’t draw moisture from the kernels. Cooling corn within one hour after harvest will help preserve its sugar content, and the cooler, the better. Sugar converts to starch four times as fast at 50 degrees Fahrenheit as at 32 degrees. At optimum conditions of 32 degrees and 95 percent relative humidity, sweet corn has a storage life of five to eight days.

Season: Summer

This information was provided by ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in their publication, “Organic Sweet Corn Production” at www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/sweetcorn.html.

The Earthquake-Weather Myth

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:22:00 +0000

Each year in the U.S., an average of six magnitude 6 or higher and 57 magnitude 5 or higher earthquakes occur. There is a common belief that earthquakes occur more frequently during hot and dry weather, but scientists have never found a correlation between weather and earthquake activity. Because earthquakes originate miles below ground, they are not affected by weather occurring at the Earth’s surface. Viewer Tip: Yesterday’s earthquake in Southern California is a good reminder to keep safety tips in mind should an earthquake occur in your area:

Inside: When the shaking begins, drop to the ground, take cover, and hold on. If you are unable to drop, stay where you are and try to brace yourself. If you are in bed, stay there and protect yourself with a pillow. Stay away from windows, and stay inside until the shaking stops. A common myth is that you should head for a doorway — In most homes, doorways are no stronger than other areas, and swinging doors can cause injury. Take cover under a strong piece of furniture, instead.
Outside: Find a clear area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, powerlines, and other structures that may fall. Drop to the ground and stay still until the shaking stops.
In a Car: Pull over to a clear area, stop, and remain in your car with your seatbelt on

Curious about other common earthquake myths? Visit the California Department of Conservation’s “Earthquake Mythology, Or…Don’t Believe Everything You Hear!” web page: www.consrv.ca.gov/index/Earthquakes/Pages/qh_earthquakes_myths.aspx

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: California Department of Conservation. “Earthquake Mythology, Or…Don’t Believe Everything You Hear!” www.consrv.ca.gov/index/Earthquakes/Pages/qh_earthquakes_myths.aspx; USGS. 2006. Earthquake Hazards - A National Threat. Available from http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3016/; The National Disaster Education Coalition, July 2004. Talking About Disaster: A Guide for Standard Messages.)

Mosquito Bites (Missouri)

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:20:10 +0000

The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of mosquito! Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle.

Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water - either directly on stagnant water, in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain water will collect.
Larva: When water floods the eggs, they hatch. A mosquito larva feeds and lives in the water, growing into a pupa.
Pupa: A mosquito pupa continues to live in water, but does not feed. Internal changes to the pupa occur, and it emerges from the water as an adult mosquito.
Adult Mosquito: Out of the water and ready to bite!

Viewer Tip: Mosquitoes can carry disease, including West Nile Virus. While the chances of a person getting sick from a mosquito bite are low (there were 77 cases of West Nile Virus in Missouri last year), you can reduce your risk even further by taking simple precautions at home and outdoors. After it rains, drain standing water from flower pot saucers, childrens’ toys, pet water and food dishes, bird baths, buckets and barrels, swimming pool covers, and other containers where rain water collects. When spending time outside, use insect repellent on exposed skin, and if weather permits, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Remember that peak hours for mosquito activity are from dusk to dawn - take extra care to protect yourself during these times, or avoid outdoor activities altogether.

Season: Summer

(Sources: US EPA. Pesticides: Mosquito Control. “About Mosquitoes.” http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/about_mosquitos.htm; Centers for Disease Control. “Fight the Bite!” http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/prevention_info.htm; CDC. “West Nile Virus: Final 2007 West Nile Virus Activity in the United States.” http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/Mapsactivity/surv&control07Maps.htm)

Mosquito Bites (Arizona)

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:19:22 +0000

The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of mosquito! Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle.

Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water - either directly on stagnant water, in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain water will collect.
Larva: When water floods the eggs, they hatch. A mosquito larva feeds and lives in the water, growing into a pupa.
Pupa: A mosquito pupa continues to live in water, but does not feed. Internal changes to the pupa occur, and it emerges from the water as an adult mosquito.
Adult Mosquito: Out of the water and ready to bite!

Viewer Tip: Mosquitoes can carry disease, including West Nile Virus. While the chances of a person getting sick from a mosquito bite are low (there were 97 cases of West Nile Virus in Arizona last year), you can reduce your risk even further by taking simple precautions at home and outdoors. After it rains, drain standing water from flower pot saucers, childrens’ toys, pet water and food dishes, bird baths, buckets and barrels, swimming pool covers, and other containers where rain water collects. When spending time outside, use insect repellent on exposed skin, and if weather permits, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Remember that peak hours for mosquito activity are from dusk to dawn - take extra care to protect yourself during these times, or avoid outdoor activities altogether.

Season: Summer

Mosquito Bites (Puerto Rico)

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:18:37 +0000

The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of mosquito! Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle.

Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water - either directly on stagnant water, in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain water will collect.
Larva: When water floods the eggs, they hatch. A mosquito larva feeds and lives in the water, growing into a pupa.
Pupa: A mosquito pupa continues to live in water, but does not feed. Internal changes to the pupa occur, and it emerges from the water as an adult mosquito.
Adult Mosquito: Out of the water and ready to bite!

Viewer Tip: Mosquitoes can carry disease, including West Nile Virus. While the chances of a person getting sick from a mosquito bite are low (there were no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Puerto Rico last year), you can reduce your risk even further by taking simple precautions at home and outdoors. After it rains, drain standing water from flower pot saucers, childrens’ toys, pet water and food dishes, bird baths, buckets and barrels, swimming pool covers, and other containers where rain water collects. When spending time outside, use insect repellent on exposed skin, and if weather permits, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Remember that peak hours for mosquito activity are from dusk to dawn - take extra care to protect yourself during these times, or avoid outdoor activities altogether.

Season: Summer

Mosquito Bites (Texas)

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:17:50 +0000

The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of mosquito! Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle.

Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water - either directly on stagnant water, in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain water will collect.
Larva: When water floods the eggs, they hatch. A mosquito larva feeds and lives in the water, growing into a pupa.
Pupa: A mosquito pupa continues to live in water, but does not feed. Internal changes to the pupa occur, and it emerges from the water as an adult mosquito.
Adult Mosquito: Out of the water and ready to bite!

Viewer Tip: Mosquitoes can carry disease, including West Nile Virus. While the chances of a person getting sick from a mosquito bite are low (there were 260 cases of West Nile Virus in Texas last year), you can reduce your risk even further by taking simple precautions at home and outdoors. After it rains, drain standing water from flower pot saucers, childrens’ toys, pet water and food dishes, bird baths, buckets and barrels, swimming pool covers, and other containers where rain water collects. When spending time outside, use insect repellent on exposed skin, and if weather permits, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Remember that peak hours for mosquito activity are from dusk to dawn - take extra care to protect yourself during these times, or avoid outdoor activities altogether.

Season: Summer

Mosquito Bites (Nevada)

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:17:01 +0000

The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of mosquito! Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle.

Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water - either directly on stagnant water, in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain water will collect.
Larva: When water floods the eggs, they hatch. A mosquito larva feeds and lives in the water, growing into a pupa.
Pupa: A mosquito pupa continues to live in water, but does not feed. Internal changes to the pupa occur, and it emerges from the water as an adult mosquito.
Adult Mosquito: Out of the water and ready to bite!

Viewer Tip: Mosquitoes can carry disease, including West Nile Virus. While the chances of a person getting sick from a mosquito bite are low (there were 12 cases of West Nile Virus in Nevada last year), you can reduce your risk even further by taking simple precautions at home and outdoors. After it rains, drain standing water from flower pot saucers, childrens’ toys, pet water and food dishes, bird baths, buckets and barrels, swimming pool covers, and other containers where rain water collects. When spending time outside, use insect repellent on exposed skin, and if weather permits, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Remember that peak hours for mosquito activity are from dusk to dawn - take extra care to protect yourself during these times, or avoid outdoor activities altogether.

Season: Summer

Mosquito Bites (Rhode Island)

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:16:11 +0000

The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of mosquito! Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle.

Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water - either directly on stagnant water, in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain water will collect.
Larva: When water floods the eggs, they hatch. A mosquito larva feeds and lives in the water, growing into a pupa.
Pupa: A mosquito pupa continues to live in water, but does not feed. Internal changes to the pupa occur, and it emerges from the water as an adult mosquito.
Adult Mosquito: Out of the water and ready to bite!

Viewer Tip: Mosquitoes can carry disease, including West Nile Virus. While the chances of a person getting sick from a mosquito bite are low (there was one case of West Nile Virus in Rhode Island last year), you can reduce your risk even further by taking simple precautions at home and outdoors. After it rains, drain standing water from flower pot saucers, childrens’ toys, pet water and food dishes, bird baths, buckets and barrels, swimming pool covers, and other containers where rain water collects. When spending time outside, use insect repellent on exposed skin, and if weather permits, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Remember that peak hours for mosquito activity are from dusk to dawn - take extra care to protect yourself during these times, or avoid outdoor activities altogether.

Season: Summer

Mosquito Bites (Kentucky)

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:15:24 +0000

The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of mosquito! Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle.

Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water - either directly on stagnant water, in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain water will collect.
Larva: When water floods the eggs, they hatch. A mosquito larva feeds and lives in the water, growing into a pupa.
Pupa: A mosquito pupa continues to live in water, but does not feed. Internal changes to the pupa occur, and it emerges from the water as an adult mosquito.
Adult Mosquito: Out of the water and ready to bite!

Viewer Tip: Mosquitoes can carry disease, including West Nile Virus. While the chances of a person getting sick from a mosquito bite are low (there were four cases of West Nile Virus in Kentucky last year), you can reduce your risk even further by taking simple precautions at home and outdoors. After it rains, drain standing water from flower pot saucers, childrens’ toys, pet water and food dishes, bird baths, buckets and barrels, swimming pool covers, and other containers where rain water collects. When spending time outside, use insect repellent on exposed skin, and if weather permits, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Remember that peak hours for mosquito activity are from dusk to dawn - take extra care to protect yourself during these times, or avoid outdoor activities altogether.

Season: Summer

Mosquito Bites (Nebraska)

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:14:26 +0000

The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of mosquito! Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle.

Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water - either directly on stagnant water, in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain water will collect.
Larva: When water floods the eggs, they hatch. A mosquito larva feeds and lives in the water, growing into a pupa.
Pupa: A mosquito pupa continues to live in water, but does not feed. Internal changes to the pupa occur, and it emerges from the water as an adult mosquito.
Adult Mosquito: Out of the water and ready to bite!

Viewer Tip: Mosquitoes can carry disease, including West Nile Virus. While the chances of a person getting sick from a mosquito bite are low (there were 163 cases of West Nile Virus in Nebraska last year), you can reduce your risk even further by taking simple precautions at home and outdoors. After it rains, drain standing water from flower pot saucers, childrens’ toys, pet water and food dishes, bird baths, buckets and barrels, swimming pool covers, and other containers where rain water collects. When spending time outside, use insect repellent on exposed skin, and if weather permits, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Remember that peak hours for mosquito activity are from dusk to dawn - take extra care to protect yourself during these times, or avoid outdoor activities altogether.

Season: Summer

Mosquito Bites (New Jersey)

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:13:30 +0000

The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of mosquito! Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle.

Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water - either directly on stagnant water, in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain water will collect.
Larva: When water floods the eggs, they hatch. A mosquito larva feeds and lives in the water, growing into a pupa.
Pupa: A mosquito pupa continues to live in water, but does not feed. Internal changes to the pupa occur, and it emerges from the water as an adult mosquito.
Adult Mosquito: Out of the water and ready to bite!

Viewer Tip: Mosquitoes can carry disease, including West Nile Virus. While the chances of a person getting sick from a mosquito bite are low (there was one case of West Nile Virus in New Jersey last year), you can reduce your risk even further by taking simple precautions at home and outdoors. After it rains, drain standing water from flower pot saucers, childrens’ toys, pet water and food dishes, bird baths, buckets and barrels, swimming pool covers, and other containers where rain water collects. When spending time outside, use insect repellent on exposed skin, and if weather permits, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Remember that peak hours for mosquito activity are from dusk to dawn - take extra care to protect yourself during these times, or avoid outdoor activities altogether.

Season: Summer

Mosquito Bites (Tennessee)

administrator — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:12:39 +0000

The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of mosquito! Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle.

Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water - either directly on stagnant water, in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain water will collect.
Larva: When water floods the eggs, they hatch. A mosquito larva feeds and lives in the water, growing into a pupa.
Pupa: A mosquito pupa continues to live in water, but does not feed. Internal changes to the pupa occur, and it emerges from the water as an adult mosquito.
Adult Mosquito: Out of the water and ready to bite!

Viewer Tip: Mosquitoes can carry disease, including West Nile Virus. While the chances of a person getting sick from a mosquito bite are low (there were 11 cases of West Nile Virus in Tennessee last year), you can reduce your risk even further by taking simple precautions at home and outdoors. After it rains, drain standing water from flower pot saucers, childrens’ toys, pet water and food dishes, bird baths, buckets and barrels, swimming pool covers, and other containers where rain water collects. When spending time outside, use insect repellent on exposed skin, and if weather permits, wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Remember that peak hours for mosquito activity are from dusk to dawn - take extra care to protect yourself during these times, or avoid outdoor activities altogether.

Season: Summer