Arcadia Park Estates Web Site

Arcadia Park Estates Safety Committee - Code Blue - Citizens on Patrol

Interested in learning more about Code Blue - Citizens on Patrol or would you like to volunteer to help? Just click on the Committee tab at the left and look at Safety Committee.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kimberly Schofield

Program Specialist-Urban IPM

k-schofield@tamu.edu

Buzzing Boxelder Bug Alert

As the temperatures fall, one insect that begins seeking an overwintering shelter indoors are boxelder bugs. These bugs tend to cluster in large numbers on the sides of trees and structures, so they can easily enter structures by flying through windows, open doors or vent openings. Once they invade structures, they only live a few days and do not reproduce. However, their fecal matter can stain curtains, paper and other home furnishings. Also their mouthparts can penetrate human skin, so beware when handling.

Adult boxelder bugs are 1/2 inches in length, brownish-black in color with three lengthwise red stripes near their heads. Their wings are thick and leathery at the base and membranous at the tip, making them a true bug. Under their wings, their abdomen is red. The immature boxelder bugs resemble the adults in shape, except they are smaller, wingless and bright red.

Boxelder trees are used in landscapes, since they grow quickly, reaching heights of 30 to 50 feet. However, they are prone to attack by boxelder bugs. These bugs feed primarily on the seed-bearing boxelder trees (female trees) by sucking sap from the leaves, twigs and developing seeds. They will also feed on other trees such as ash, maple, plum and apple, causing scarring of fruits.

During the fall months, adults and immature boxelder bugs congregate usually on the female boxelder trees and then begin migrating to a place for overwintering. Only adults overwinter by moving to hibernation sites either by crawling or flying. The adults that have overwintered will leave when warm weather arrives. The females then lay eggs in crevices of tree bark, stones, leaves, grasses and on other objects near host plants.

Some Options for Control:

Non-Chemical Control Options:

Eliminate hiding places such as piles of boards, rocks, leaves, grass and other debris close to the house.

Caulk and close openings where boxelder bugs can enter the house such as around light fixtures, doors and windows, unscreened vents, utility pipes and air conditioners.

Screen all windows, doors, crawl spaces, roof vents, since they are attracted to light and can fly in through doors and windows.

Removal of the female boxelder trees from the landscape would decrease this insect’s population.

Use a vacuum cleaner or broom to collect the bugs for easy removal.

Chemical Control:

If you do not wish to remove female boxelder trees, then the exposed immature boxelder bugs can be chemically treated in the spring and early summer. Some treatments include insecticidal soap or other products containing the active ingredients acephate, permethrin, or cyfluthrin. For tall trees or large areas, specialized equipment may be required. Also cracks, crevices or possible entry point/hiding places where the boxelder bugs could enter should be treated. A dust or aerosol spray can be used to give temporary control indoors. Remember that boxelder bugs do not live more that a few days indoors, do not breed inside, and are essentially harmless.

Adult boxelder bug, Boisea trivittatus. Photo by Elizabeth “Wizzie” Brown, Program Specialist-IPM, Texas AgriLife Extension.

The Lovely Crickets Are Calling

As we walk outside in the evening, a new sound might greet us. This new sound might be a male cricket’s mating song, which is a high-pitched sound produced by the male cricket rubbing his front wings together to attract a female.

Adult field crickets are ½ to 1 ¼ inches long, black in color and have a stout body. They develop through simple metamorphosis with an egg, nymph and adult stage. The female cricket will deposit eggs into the soil. The eggs hatch into nymphs, which gain wings every time they molt. Several generations of crickets are produced every year.

Crickets feed on all organic matter, including decaying plant material and fungi. Since crickets breakdown plant materials, they are considered beneficial by renewing soil minerals. They are also a food source for many animals such as spiders, ground beetles, birds, lizards and small rodents.

Crickets are normally found outdoors, living under rocks, logs or in any crack or crevice. Since they live next to our homes, their song can become an irritant to homeowners. Also, they can enter our homes through such areas as doors and windows.

Some Control Options:

Some Non-chemical Suggestions:

1) Caulk or seal cracks and gaps that are found in the foundation, around doors, windows, and garage doors.

2) Trim weeds and tall grass growing near the foundation.

3) Remove firewood, rotting wood, boxes, bricks, stones and other objects from around the structure, in order to reduce the number of harborage areas.

4) For crickets found inside the home, vacuum or sweep up and discard them.

Some Chemical Control Suggestions:

If a severe infestation exists, there are granular products that can be used for control, such as those containing hydramethylnon. There are also chemicals that can be sprayed outdoors to provide a barrier around homes, such as pyrethrins or bifenthrin. There are also products that can be applied indoors and outdoors in cracks and crevices, such as those containing boric acid.

A field cricket, Gryllus sp. (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). Photo by Dr. Bart Drees, Professor and Extension Entomologist, Texas A&M University.

Spiders in Texas

As winter weather approaches, spiders are sure to come inside the home. Spiders are closely related to ticks and scorpions, all belonging to the Class Arachnida. Most spiders are small and considered harmless to humans. In fact, they are beneficial to our environment by controlling insect populations. However there are two groups in Texas that are considered harmful to humans, the black widows and the recluse spiders.

As a warning, all spiders will bite if provoked. Also many people are very afraid of spiders, a condition called arachnophobia.

Dangerous Spiders:

Recluse Spiders

There are five species found in Texas, but only two species are considered dangerous. Their color varies from orange-yellow to dark brown and they are the about the size of a quarter. Their most distinguishing characteristic is the eye pattern and the violin marking on the top side of its first body region, the cephalothroax. These spiders have six eyes arranged in three pairs, forming a semi-circle. The eyes also form the base of the violin shape that extends to its abdomen.

Recluse spiders are shy and will hide during the day. They are most active at night, so people are usually bitten at night. Recluse spiders are usually found in garages, wood piles, cluttered attics, closets bathrooms, bedrooms, and under furniture.

The recluse spiders’ bite may cause effects immediately or be delayed, depending upon the amount of venom injected. The bite usually causes a stinging sensation followed by intense pain. Within 24 to 36 hours, fever, chills, nausea, weakness, and joint pain may result from the bite. The bite will also produce a blister surrounded by a swollen area. The venom kills the skin tissue, which gradually sloughs away until medical attention is sought.

Recluse spider (Genus Loxosceles).

Widow Spiders

There are four species of widow spiders that exist in Texas. Their color varies from brown to black, but all have a marking consisting of two united triangles that can be red, yellow or orange in color. This hourglass marking is found on the underside of their abdomen. The females are 1 ½ inches in length and have eight eyes in two rows, which is a common eye pattern for spiders. Females in a few species of widow spiders will eat the males after mating, which gives this group its name.

They usually live in protected areas around houses and may live in garages, basements, furniture, shrubbery, rain spouts, gas and electric meters and in other undisturbed areas. They spin coarse irregular webs that expand as the spider matures.

The widow’s bite may initially feel like a pin prick that leaves a swollen area with two red spots in the middle. The pain usually becomes worse, causing high temperatures, tremors, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, perspiration, loss of muscle tone and rise in blood pressure and even death. However, death results in less than 5% of the people bitten by a widow spider.

Other Common Spiders:

Tarantulas

These are large, hairy spiders that vary in color from brown to black. Adults are usually more than 3 inches in length. They tend to spend the day in hidden areas or under rocks and hunt at night feeding on crickets, caterpillars, and other insects. Since they are spiders, they can bite; however, their toxin is not considered harmful to most people. Also they possess hairs that can penetrate the skin, which cause irritation.

Wolf Spiders

These spiders vary in color from brown to black and some have longitudinal stripes running along their bodies. Wolf spiders are large and can be seen at night under lights. They frequently enter homes and in landscapes, but their toxin is not considered harmful to humans.

Southern House Spider

These spiders sometimes are confused with recluse spiders, but they are larger than recluse spiders. Also they are dark brown in color, have eight eyes all in one cluster, and lack the violin marking. Southern house spiders have distinctive webs that radiate from a central mass that is located in a hole or crevice. These spiders are most commonly found in old barns and in undisturbed areas within human structures. However, their toxin is considered harmless.

Spider Bites

To relieve swelling, apply an ice pack or alcohol directly to the bite. If a severe allergic reaction occurs, a doctor should be consulted immediately. It is always helpful to take the spider along to the doctor/hospital for positive identification.

Controlling Spiders

Non-Chemical Controls:

Seal cracks using caulk, weather stripping, and screens to prevent spider entry into the home. Make sure that all stored boxes are taped and sealed to prevent spiders from entering. Also, vacuum webs throughout homes. Since some spiders lay their eggs within the webs, vacuuming will prevent these eggs from hatching.

Chemical Controls:

Only use products labeled for spider control or in areas where spiders are found. These products can contain such chemicals as permethrin, deltamethrin, or bifenthrin. Outside spray or dust under roof eaves, porches, and window ledges. Inside spray around windows, door frames, baseboards and in attics and other places of storage. Some spiders are hard to control, so it is best to contact a pest control professional.

Aggregating Lady Beetles

This is a simple case of a “good” guy gone “bad!” The Multi-Colored Asian Lady Beetle is an introduced insect species from Asia that is used to control landscape insect pests in the United States. They have now established themselves in many areas of the U.S., where they reduce populations of aphids and scale insects. However, this lady beetle likes to congregate in large numbers around buildings when they overwinter. This causes them to sometimes move indoors into living areas. These beetles exude a yellowish liquid when disturbed (reflux bleeding), which can stain fabric and can cause skin irritation. They can also bite, which causes a welt to form on the skin!

Exclusion practices should be used to prevent these ladybeetles from entering the structure. All cracks and crevices, such as around windows, doors, air conditioners, and utility pipes should be sealed in late summer and fall. If beetles are spotted inside the home, then a vacuum should be used to remove them. Remember to dispose of the vacuum bag outside, so the beetles do not escape and re-invade the structure.

Multicolored Asian Ladybeetle. Photo by Mike Merchant, Professor and Extension Entomologist, Texas A&M University.

Mention of commercial products is for educational purposes only and does not represent endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension or The Texas A&M University System. Insecticide label registrations are subject to change, and changes may have occurred since this publication was printed. The pesticide user is always responsible for applying products in accordance with label directions. Always read and carefully follow the instructions on the container label.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Online Homeowner Customer Service Center Now Available At www.spectrumam.com

Spectrum Association Management is excited to announce the launch of the Online Homeowner Customer Service Center. As an industry leader in technology research, we are proud to offer web integrated software that will allow homeowners the ability to review account information online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In order to access the online customer service center, homeowners will be required to register their account information.

Some of the features of the Online Customer Service Center are listed below:

· Payment Center – Make payments via credit card, e-check or automatic ACH withdrawal directly from Spectrum’s website.

· Account Overview – View all charges and payments posted to an account for the past year. Plus, owners can update mailing addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

· Compliance Center – View a comprehensive list of all compliance letters sent for the past year.

· Improvement Center – Submit ACC/ARC improvement requests online and upload all required documents.

· Message Center – Ask questions, report violations, request items (such as a pool key card, gate remote, etc). Responses are sent by a Spectrum representative and posted to the homeowners account.

Providing homeowners with real time data, Spectrum’s Online Customer Service Center offers homeowners a convenient way to access account information. To register your account online, visit us at www.spectrumam.com. Please contact your local Spectrum Association Management office for further information at (972) 992-3444.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

8 Ways to Improve Your Neighborhood

Most of us, who grew up before the 1960s, know the joys of living in a neighborhood. As children, this was our playground and the neighbors were our friends. When we became parents, our neighborhood was our sanctuary and the neighbors our support system.

How would you describe your neighborhood today? Do you know everyone on the block? Do you feel safe and secure in there? Is your neighborhood comprised of a community of people working together toward a common goal or individual families living independent lives? Unfortunately the latter characterizes many neighborhoods today. Why?

We’re a transitory population. We move from place to place in search of a better lifestyle. We don’t stay anywhere long enough to know our neighbors and we hesitate making new friends in order to avoid the pain of the inevitable good bye.

We don’t stay home. Many neighborhoods are virtual ghost towns during the week because, while the children are in school or daycare, the adults are at work. When these families come home after a busy day away, the last thing they want to do is socialize with neighbors.

We don’t trust as easily. We build high fences and cultivate thick hedges around our property to discourage even neighborly intrusion.

Do you dream of living in a neighborhood like the one you remember as a child? Here are some ideas for creating a supportive and peaceful environment in your neighborhood.

Reach Out

Sally and Brad do not feel a sense of community in their neighborhood. “It’s where we live, but we live there alone,” says Sally. “Although we have neighbors, we don’t know them. Everyone pretty much keeps to themselves which is okay with us because we don’t like some of the things that go on around here.”

This couple can take steps to change the atmosphere in their neighborhood. They can go out of their way to speak to their neighbors. They can offer to help someone in need. Instead of complaining about problems occurring in the neighborhood, they could try to do something about them.

For example, they could talk to the parents of the kids who play their music too loud every day after school. They can ask the police department for help in discouraging speeding on their street. They might help the teens to organize a hobby club or Bible study group for the children who are home alone after school. If young skateboarders are creating a problem, Sally and Brad could work with neighbors to build a skateboarding area for the kids.

Fear often keeps us from reaching out. We’re afraid that if we let someone know us, they will take advantage of our privacy or generosity. This was the case for Donna. She said, “I see some of my neighbors at mass on Sunday, but I avoid talking to them. If I encourage them, they might feel that they can come over anytime they want. I work at home and can’t tolerate interruptions.”

What Donna and others don’t consider is that the blessings in befriending their neighbors may far outweigh any of the negative outcomes they can imagine.

If you want to be a part of a friendlier neighborhood, take the initiative.

Speak to your neighbors.

Express an interest in something he or she values, a prize rose or a weed-free lawn, for example, or comment on the good manners their children use when they come over to retrieve their soccer ball from your yard.

If one of your neighbors attends your church, offer to drive them next Sunday.

Invite a neighbor over for ice tea one warm afternoon or plan a neighborhood gathering for everyone on your block.

If you see suspicious activity around a neighbor’s property, tell him about it.

Get Involved

About five years after we moved into our rural neighborhood, things started to change. It was no longer the quiet, peaceful neighborhood we had chosen to live in. Teens were running amuck two houses south of us and just to our north, a known criminal entertained his friends. Troublemakers from other parts of the community converged upon these two houses almost every day. We were subjected to crude language and loud music. Neighbors’ cars were being tampered with. There were fights and rowdiness at all hours. No one complained to the parents or authorities for fear of retaliation.

And then one summer afternoon, gun shots rang out across this once quiet neighborhood. Right before our eyes, a policeman, answering a domestic disturbance call, was killed by a drug-crazed man. This was the last straw. Several neighbors expressed an interest in banding together and we formed a Neighborhood Watch group.

We invited law enforcement experts and other professionals to inform and educate us as to our rights and recourses. People came to our meetings as strangers to complain and left with neighbors’ phone numbers and solutions to their problems. Suddenly, we felt more connected, more empowered and ready to make a difference in this neighborhood.

With the support of the police department, we reported every violation of curfew, every disturbance and every suspicious activity we observed in our neighborhood for the next few months. Warnings were issued, firearms were confiscated, stolen cars were recovered and arrests were made. Today we have our neighborhood back. Why? Because the residents in this neighborhood got involved.

Fighting crime is just one reason to get involved in your neighborhood. Another is safety. Neighbors who know one another are more apt to help each other in a time of crisis. In a natural disaster, for example, when everyone is prepared and willing to help one another, lives and property can be saved.

One of our neighborhood watch meetings was dedicated to earthquake and Y2K preparation. While each family was instructed to anticipate and plan for their individual needs, we also pooled some of our resources. One family agreed to serve as first aid headquarters in an emergency. Another couple offered their generator-operated motorhome to those who might want to hang out should we lose power. We extended an invitation to neighbors who wanted to hover around our fireplace on cold evenings if we were without power.

While we didn’t need these resources for Y2K and we haven’t had the big earthquake yet, our neighbors’ willingness to get involved blesses this neighborhood in large and small ways everyday. As an illustration, last year, I planned a weekend trip. I mentioned to my neighbor, Tami, that I was leaving my four kitties home alone—safely inside the house with plenty of food and water. She insisted on peeking in on them, giving them fresh water and cleaning their sandboxes so they wouldn’t feel completely abandoned. I thankfully agreed.

That afternoon, when she opened the door to my home, she smelled the odor of gas. She quickly called for her husband, who discovered a leak behind the stove and promptly shut off the gas valve. I have no doubt that these caring neighbors saved my cats’ lives that day.

To get involved with your neighbors:

Note their habits. In Palm Springs, CA, a woman’s life was saved because someone observed that she wasn’t following her usual daily routine. When a neighbor checked on her, he found her unconscious on the floor.

Let a neighbor know when you will be gone for a day or more. We always tell our next door neighbor, Robert, when we’re going away. One time, while we were out of town, he spotted water running out from under our garage door. He investigated and discovered that the hose from the washing machine had burst and was spewing water everywhere. Just think of the mess we would have come home to if Robert hadn’t been willing to get involved.

Offer to watch your neighbors’ homes when they’re away.

Make A Connection With Your Neighbors

Barbara was awakened early one morning by the sound of her dog barking. She looked outside and saw someone tampering with her neighbor, Jim’s car. She flipped on the outside lights, turned the dog out into her yard and the thief promptly ran away. If Barbara hadn’t known something about Jim’s habits, she might not have bothered reacting. She could have chosen not to get involved at all. If you live in a neighborhood where at least some of the neighbors feel a connection to one another, you automatically watch out for each other.

How can you connect with neighbors?

Neighborhood Watch is a good place to start. Many cities have volunteers who work with neighborhood leaders in setting up these programs.

Create a neighborhood directory for each resident.

Discuss emergency measures with your immediate neighbors.

Be aware of elderly or disabled neighbors who might need special attention in case of emergency.

Visit new neighbors and give them your phone number in case they need help with anything or want information about community services.

Be Considerate Of Others

Be the kind of neighbor you want to have. If you have a problem with a neighbor, talk to him or her about it. In our neighborhood, we had a barking dog next door to us and an aggressive dog across the street that was always running loose. When we spoke to the neighbors about the barking dog, they immediately began working with the animal until they found a solution. They discovered that the only way to keep him quiet was to take him on frequent walks during the day and to put him in the house at night. They do this now religiously and we let them know how much we appreciate their consideration.

The couple who let their aggressive pit bull run, were not so compliant. We eventually had to call Animal Regulations. As it turned out, there had been so many complaints against this dog that they removed it from the home permanently.

How can you be a considerate neighbor?

Keep your yard neat and tidy.

Keep your animals to yourself. Your pet should only be allowed to invade your own space, no one else’s.

Maintain peace and quiet. Don’t run machinery early in the morning or late at night. Don’t play loud music. Inform your neighbors when you’re planning a party. If they know what to expect, they will tolerate it better. What time will it start? When will it end? Adhere to this schedule for your neighbors’ sake.

Be Generous

We seem more inclined to notice the things that irritate us about people. “They don’t keep their leaves raked up.” “He let’s his trash barrels sit out front for days.” “I hate it when she parks that old car in front of our house.” “Their dog is out running around all the time.” Rather than complaining to the rest of the neighborhood about these annoyances, see if you can do something about them.

Offer to help repair the gate where the dog is getting out, for example. If an elderly couple leaves their trash barrels out, put them away as a friendly gesture. I often rake my neighbor’s leaves along with mine when I’m cleaning up the street easement in front of our homes. She does the same for me occasionally.

There’s a woman in California who deserves a neighbor-of-the-year award. She has taken it upon herself to run errands and deliver the mail to all of the elderly and disabled residents living in a nearby mobile home park.

Brenda likes to share the fruits of her garden with her neighbors. Every summer, she delivers bags of homegrown plums to families up and down the block.

A few years ago in Lori and Mark’s neighborhood, everyone took pride in their homes and kept their yards up, except for one family. “Our next door neighbor never spent anytime in his yard,” said Mark. “It was a real mess and everyone was complaining behind their backs. Finally this couple’s landlord paid them a visit. When he saw the condition of the place, he threatened to evict them if they didn’t clean it up. Everyone in the family began working to clean that place up.”

According to Mark, several of the neighbors encouraged this clean up project by complimenting the family’s efforts, by offering cuttings from plants in their own yards and by loaning them garden tools. Mark even went over and helped the neighbor trim back an overgrown hedge.

“These neighbors have become much more friendly since this happened,” says Lori. “You even see them outside more often and they make it a point to speak to neighbors. Just the other day, when I was out watering, the woman called me over to the fence and gave me a bag of peaches from her tree.”

If you want to know your neighbors in the most positive way, be generous.

Take a bouquet of flowers from your garden to a neighbor who has just moved in or who needs cheering up.

When you see a neighbor struggling with a project, offer them the help. Just last evening, in our neighborhood, a Hispanic boy was walking up the street pushing his bicycle. A neighbor asked why he wasn’t riding it and he explained that something was broken. The neighbor took a look at the bike, was able to fix it and the boy rode off with a big smile on his face.

Draw Neighbors Together

A garage sale offers a good opportunity for neighbors to interact with one another. Another surefire way to meet neighbors is to roll an appliance, a used filing cabinet or an old baby stroller out to the curb on a Sunday with a for sale sign on it. Brian sold an old lawnmower that way and met some of the neighbors at the same time. Linda gave away an old refrigerator and a washing machine to a very grateful family with seven children a couple of weeks ago. She threw in a few articles of her children’s outgrown clothing, too. This family came back the next day with a large bag of avocados for Linda.

Here are some ideas for additional neighborhood activities:

A neighborhood potluck or progressive dinner.

A play group for preschoolers and their parents.

Join together with other parents on Halloween to make trick-or-treating a safe experience for the neighborhood children.

Extend Your Church Affiliation

Find out who from your church lives in your neighborhood and start a Bible study or prayer group in your home. Develop a taxi service to church for the elderly or disabled.

Volunteer In Your Neighborhood

A successful neighborhood is one where people are available and willing to help their neighbors. In fact, some people have only their neighbors to rely on.

When someone is recovering from surgery or has suffered a loss, do the neighborly thing and arrange for their meals to be brought in, offer to run errands or mow their lawn. When you see someone struggling with a heavy load, offer to help.

You don’t have to be neighborly to live in a neighborhood, but it sure makes life more pleasant and meaningful for everyone involved if you are. Creating a safer, more peaceful neighborhood is a team effort. Do your part.

Patricia Fry is the author of A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles for Book Promotion and Profit (Matilija Press, 2000).