The Buzz About Bees - Facts About These Helpful Creatures

Warm weather and extra hours of sunlight spark flowering trees and plants to bloom anew. This is the time of year when the air is sweet with the aroma of blossoms and the familiar hum of insects can be heard all around.

Not all “bugs” are the same this time of year. While you probably won’t want ants invading your backyard grill fest, the presence of bees nearby can be a good thing — even if those curious yellow-and-black critters get a little close for comfort from time to time. That’s because almost 90 percent of wild plants and 75 percent of the leading global crops depend on animal pollination, indicates the World Wildlife Federation.

Bees are remarkable creatures in small packages.

The following are some bee facts to buzz about, courtesy of the WWF, Save the Bees™, NASA, and the Texas A&M University Honey Bee Information Site.

• There are roughly 20,000 species of bees around the world. Most of them are solitary bees.

• Bees have five eyes. Two of the eyes are large compound eyes with hexagonal facets. The other three are small, simple eyes.

• Honeybees have a move called the “waggle dance.” It is a clever way of communicating to tell them where to go to find the best sources of food.

• Bees can carry up to 122 times their body weight in pollen and nectar.

• Bumblebees leave footprint scents behind. They are able to distinguish between their own scents, the scent of a relative and the scent of a stranger as they look for food. They also can avoid flowers already visited.

• Should a queen bee perish, the hive workers will select a new young larva and feed it a special food called “royal jelly.” The larva will develop into a fertile queen.

• Bees flap their wings 190 to 200 times per second. They can fly up to 15 miles per hour.

• Female bees can sting; males do not. Losing the stinger will cause the bee to die. The honeybee only can sting once because its stinger is barbed. Bumblebees and hornets can sting multiple times because they have smooth stingers.

• It can require nectar from two million flowers to make one pound of honey.

• Many bees are not aggressive. Simply moving away from them can prevent a person from being stung. Generally, bumblebees and honey bees will only sting by accident or if a nest is being disrupted.

• Wasps are different from bees in that they are mostly known to be predators. They eat other insects and often food that people eat, which is why wasps are more likely to be found around your cookout. Bees tend to be covered in hair, while wasps (which include yellow jackets) are smooth.

Bees are remarkable creatures and should be celebrated as the weather warms up.

Prevent Pressure Washing Injuries

Exposure to the elements can take its toll on the exterior of a home. Dirt, mold and mildew can compromise the look of a home and yard, which is why many people begin the spring season by dusting off the pressure-washing machine and making resolutions to strip the dirt off of siding, furniture and patios. However, serious injuries can result if a pressure washer is used improperly. Getting schooled in pressure-washer safety is essential to preventing a trip to the emergency room.

It can be easy to underestimate the power of a pressure washer. An electric-powered machine may generate up to 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure. Gaspowered machines are even more dynamic, offering pressure up to 4,000 psi. That force coupled with wet surfaces can easily cause falls, slips and abrasions. Pressure washers may even cause blindness when chemical cleaners are used in conjunction with the pressure washer.

It is advisable to leave pressure washing to a professional. However, for homeowners who do choose to try this cleaning method, safety precautions are essential.

• Dress properly by donning rubber-soled shoes to prevent slips on wet surfaces.

• Wear protective eyewear to shield the eyes from any projectiles or injury from the water spray itself.

• Wear sturdy gloves with grips so you can have a firm hold on the nozzle while cleaning.

• Be sure to read all of the safety precautions and operation instructions in the manual prior to operating the pressure washer. Do not use a washer if the instruction manual is missing.

• Remove any debris surrounding the area you will be cleaning. This may include sticks, rocks, toys, and any other items that can be blown around with the pressure washer spray.

• Use a safety harness if you will be using a pressure washer while on a ladder or elevated surface.

• To lessen the chance of high-pressure injection (HPI), which is when water and other debris penetrates the skin resulting in deeptissue damage, broaden the spray on the nozzle so it isn’t piercing like a needle. HPI can cause infections so great that they may require amputation.

• Use an extension cord that is water-resistant and acceptable for outdoor use. Ensure there are no breaks in the cord to minimize the chance for electrocution.

• Avoid hot water and steam pressure washers to eliminate the chance for burns.

Thousands of people are estimated to be hospitalized due to pressure-washer injuries. Many of these injuries can be prevented simply by heeding safety precautions and following the rules of operation.

Lovely In Every Way

You spent many an afternoon as a kid admiring the neighborhood gardens with your aunt. While most of the gardens looked like a scene from a magazine spread, there were a few that didn’t quite make the cut, either because of neglect or excessiveness. There was one, in particular, that stuck out like a sore thumb because of all of the garden art. There were statues everywhere. You could spend all afternoon just looking at all of the art in that garden. Apparently, the gardener liked statuary, perhaps a little too much.

Now that you’re older, you’d like to add flair to your garden with some statuary, but you don’t want to repeat that garden scene from your childhood. Here are a few tips:

• Less is more. Limit yourself to pieces that really shine. Twenty statues of various saints woven throughout your garden will not make the same statement as one large statue of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment.

• Groupings are best. When possible, group pieces that complement each other. Bird statues here and there will not have as much impact one St. Francis of Assisi statue overlooking smaller bird statues.

• Placement is everything. Set up groupings amid foliage rather than wherever there is a spot. The statue of St. Francis of Assisi set in the first open spot will not be as striking as it will overlooking smaller bird statues under the cherry tree in the center of your garden.

Once you have your statuary in place, take the time to care for it. The elements will take a toll on the statues after a while, speeding up the aging process. Wash your statues regularly and apply a coat of sealer to them annually. Should a piece ever suffer a chip, crack or break, arrange to have it repaired or refinished. Depending upon the extent of the damage, you may be able to do this yourself.

Finally, protect the statuary in the winter. Don’t leave the pieces to freeze in the snow and ice. Cover them up or bring them inside.

Taking Care Of Ivy At Your Home

Storybook pages are filled with images of stone cottages covered in ivy, making them appealing to the young and old alike. Who wouldn’t enjoy coming home to an old English cottage wrapped in ivy? Long, tender, green tendrils trailing down the side of a home can make for a lovely scene. Upon closer inspection of the crumbling mortar underneath, however, you might see that the old adage, “Looks can be deceiving,” is true. If not attended to carefully, ivy can make for some real damage to homes.

Ivy in general is a very tenacious, invasive plant. Once it starts growing, it can be difficult to stop, and once it gets its claws into the cracks and crevices of your home’s exterior, it can be very hard to remove. Ivy has been known to push its way into the smallest of spaces in brick mortar, siding, stucco and more, penetrating walls and windows, invading rooms and peeking out from behind electrical sockets.

While it will push through cracks and crevices, ivy is not strong enough to make them. Solid, well-constructed surfaces such as masonry walls can handle it. Old, weak brick, dry-stacked walls, porous wood and any other areas prone to cracks and crevices, on the other hand, cannot. Such substances are highly susceptible to ivy, and once it takes hold and weaves its way throughout the structure, the damage can be vast, ranging from leaks to pest infestation to total loss.

Pulling down the ivy may not be the right fix either. While it will prevent further growth, it may also lead to even greater damage. Boards, bricks, chunks of paint and stucco and who knows what else have been known to come down with every strand of ivy pulled. Entire wood structures have fallen down once the ivy holding them together was removed.

Homeowners that suspect damage due to ivy should not undertake the removal of it themselves. They should hire a professional to determine the best way to remove the ivy with the least amount of damage possible. They might also be able to repair any resulting damage.

There is nothing wrong with having ivy in the landscape. It is best to contain it to wellconstructed structures and keep it away from all gutters, trim and woodwork in general. Only then can homeowners rest assured that the ivy will not take a toll on the condition of their home.