At Home Living 051316

Saturday, May 14, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

homes.cjonline.com

Curb appeal

First impressions count when selling homes, page 6 n Jamie Kidd on bagworms, page 2 n Blending two households into one, page 5 n What millennials want in homes, page 7 n ‘Meatball’ eggplant hits the market, page 10

REALTOR

®

REX WOLF/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

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Thorough spray coverage essential to reduce bagworm population It is that time of year. Yes, we have to deal with it, like it or not.

It is time to control bagworms.

They are easily recognizable.

They build cone-shaped homes that hang like Japanese lanterns from the branches of whatever tree or bush they are devouring.

These little architects use the foliage from their food plant as building materials. The bags are waterproof and lined with silk to keep the eggs warm over winter.

Unfortunately, this cleverness is also why we can’t spray the bags and expect to kill the insect.

Let’s learn more about them to find the best way to control them.

The life cycle

In mid-September, male bagworm moths, which are black and have 1-inch clear wings, wiggle out of their hiding places.

Using their feathery antennae, they home in on female sex

Jamie Kidd Jamie KiDD

jamiehan@ksu.edu jamiehan@ksu.edu

pheromones, which tell them which bags contain the female bagworms. The females have no wings, legs, antennae, mouthparts or functional eyes. They are nothing more than soft, white, slug-like, egg-filled sacks.

After fertilization by the male, the female deposits her eggs (up to 1,000 per female) inside her bag.

She uses her body hair to plug the entrance to protect the eggs from parasites and the cold winter.

Generally, from mid-May through the end of June, larvae (caterpillars) hatch from the eggs

and exit the mother-bag. They often drop from the bag on a fine silk thread. Swinging in the breeze, they come into contact with limbs or foliage and immediately construct miniature silk-lined bags. Only after the bags are completed do the larvae begin their ravenous feeding.

As the larvae grow, the bags increase in size to accommodate them. The larvae remain in the bags as they feed and move about from the top opening of their bags.

The bottom of the bag always remains open to eliminate fecal material and shed skins.

By mid- to late-August, feeding is complete. Larvae firmly anchor their bags to the twigs they were feeding on and seal the top of the bag. Head down, the larvae enter the pupal stage, which lasts two to three weeks. Males make their way to the bottom and emerge as black moths.

UPCOMING EVENT

Adam Moser, forester for the city of Topeka, will present “All About Trees” at 7 p.m.

May 26 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. The free program, sponsored by the Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners, will focus on trees as anchors of a landscape and how to choose the best trees for your needs.

What they eat

Damage caused

Bagworms are known for feeding on red cedar and junipers.

But they also can attack a wide variety of broadleaf trees, shrubs and ornamentals, such as willow, maple, oak, box elder, sycamore, poplar, locust, rose, barberry, pyracantha, clematis, sumac elm, cherry, quince pear, peach and blackberry.

If these plants, trees and shrubs aren’t available, they can feed on clover, ragweed, parsley and nightshade.

Bagworms may feed on one type of plant and move on to other types.

BAGWORM continues on 4

Think about it: If one female can produce up to 1,000 offspring and you have lots of bags hanging on your tree, the defoliation can happen seemingly overnight.

Broadleaf/deciduous trees have greater abilities to recover from this damage than do evergreens. Auxiliary buds on deciduous plants can replenish foliage within three to four weeks, depending on the time of the season.

Conifers are less likely to recover because of their slowgrowth patterns. Several succes-

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Bagworm: Picking bags off trees, destroying them another viable option Continued from 2 sive years of heavy foliar feeding by uncontrolled bagworms may kill large evergreen trees.

Control methods People who are opposed to using chemicals may

try to control bagworm populations by handpicking the bags. The easiest time to do this is in the winter when they are readily visible. They stand out in stark contrast to dark evergreen colors, and they hang on to the deciduous trees when all the leaves are gone.

Remember that many

bags may be hidden deeper within tree foliage and require a thorough search and removal procedure.

Finish picking by April before larvae hatch. Destroy the bags. Don’t throw them on the ground or over the fence. Picking the bags off the tree doesn’t mean you have destroyed the eggs.

The only effective time to kill bagworm larvae is when they are actively feeding from mid-May through June, depending on the weather. Watch for their activities to begin and start spraying. Small larvae (caterpillars) are more susceptible than larger ones. Monitor

infested plants for newly emerging larvae.

Thorough spray coverage is essential to reduce bagworm populations. Merely waving a sprayer nozzle and misting infested trees only kills bagworms feeding on the peripheries. Spray with sufficient pressure and in adequate amounts of water

carrier to ensure penetration of dense foliage.

Lots of bagworm products are on the market. Ask your local nursery person for help and read the labels for application instructions.

Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.

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Couples can merge styles with creativity, compromise

By Melissa Rayworth The Associated Press

For couples setting up a new home together, it’s a challenge: how to merge two sets of stuff and two decorating styles into one space they both can love.

“Emotions get really high when it comes to your belongings if the person you’re choosing to spend the rest of your life with doesn’t love what you love,” says stylist Marianne Canada, host of the “HGTV Crafternoon” web series.

Here, Canada and two other designers — California-based Betsy Burnham and Florida-based Laura Burleson — offer advice on negotiating a merger of two homes.

Claim your favorites

Each person probably has a few treasured pieces of furniture or art that they can’t imagine living without. Burnham suggests partners agree to each keep perhaps three or four of these pieces in their shared home. If one partner truly dislikes one of the other’s absolute favorites, consider changing the piece a little through painting or reupholstering.

Burleson cites one couple who disagreed over a set of cane-backed din-

ing chairs. The solution: lacquering the chairs in a dramatic shade of charcoal gray that matched a modern, concrete and brass dining table.

Go with the contrast

Once those favorite pieces are chosen, Burnham suggests creating a clean slate by painting the walls a crisp white or a white shade with just a hint of color.

Then look at all the remaining furniture against this new backdrop as though you were shopping.

Rather than trying to group items that are similar, experiment with pairing those that contrast. All three designers say contrast can be the best part of decor.

Try new locations

As you assess your remaining furniture and accessories, consider placing things in rooms where they’ve never been.

“You don’t have to make that big leath-

JOHN HUGSTAD/BURNHAM DESIGN/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

In this living room, a couple’s contrasting tastes are both represented: sleek modern furniture and lighting mix beautifully with soft floral drapes and colorful patterned pillows. er recliner work in your traditional living room,” Canada says.

What about using it in your bedroom for late-night reading? Small dressers can serve as end tables or sideboards; end tables can be used as bedside tables.

Shop together

Buying some new pieces can tie together a couple’s decor and help both partners feel at home. “There’s no shame in selling your furniture and going out together and buying new pieces as a couple,” Canada says.

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Sharp home exterior crucial for sellers

By Shanna Sloyer Special to The Capital-Journal

First impressions can never be made twice, and that is especially true for attracting potential homebuyers.

Realtor Erica Lichtenauer, of Countrywide Realty, stresses the importance of online exterior photos if you are trying to sell your home.

Exterior photos can be the determining factor in whether

buyers drive by or schedule an appointment to look at your house.

“It’s definitely important,” Lichtenauer said. “They want to know what it looks like on the outside, because if the outside isn’t taken care of they will assume (the current owners) don’t take care of the inside.”

If you are considering putting your house on the market soon, or if you just want to make over a tired front entryway or drab

landscaping, here are some ideas that will pack the most punch for your money. n Freshen paint or stain.

Choose paint in neutral or earthy tones that are fresh and clean. Repaint window and door trim a complementary but contrasting color to add visual interest. Also, repaint or refinish the front door and worn porches or decks.

EXTERIOR continues on 7

photographs by REX WOLF/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Many potential homebuyers like to drive by a home before they set an appointment to view its interior. That is why curb appeal — how your home looks from the street — is important to those looking to sell.

Adding a splash of paint to clay pots boosts their appeal and may leave potential buyers with a better opinion of the home.

LOOKING GOOD

Curb appeal can be a big factor in selling your home. Consider: n First impressions are important. Motivated buyers drive by properties, and unfavorable curb appeal may eliminate a number of potential buyers before they get in the door. n Pay attention to clutter at the front entryway. Rake leaves and pick up limbs on the ground. Trim the shrubs, mow the grass and pull weeds. n Spruce it up. Place potted flowers at the entryway. Powerwash at least the front of the house and clean the windows. n A garage door is one of the items that yields the highest return on investment for sellers. Resurfacing of garage doors is available and can be cheaper than replacing them. n Consider a new look. Stone veneer on the front of the house in some markets has more than 100-percent return on investment.

A welcome sign and colorful pieces greet potential buyers.

Source: Sunflower Association of Realtors

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Exterior: Entryway worthy of investment Continued from 6 Fix any areas that have peeling paint.

As Lichtenauer points out, repairing peeling paint is a Federal Housing Administration requirement that will have to be taken care of before closing, so it is best to take care of the problem up front. n Clean up and maintain.

Wash interior and exterior windows and remove and clean screens with a wire brush to remove dirt and debris.

During warmer months, water grass and flowers frequently to prevent browning.

Trim back bushes and trees and rake dead plants and leaves out of flower beds. Keep the lawn mowed and trimmed and the weeds under control.

“It gives the wrong first impression if (buyers) feel they will need to do a lot of work up front,” she said. n Landscape.

Plant flowers in beds and containers that will stand up well to summer temperatures. Replace faded mulch or rocks to add a pop of color to landscaping.

Use paving stones or decorative brick to create pathways, terracing and

retaining walls to hold back soil. Although these are pricier solutions, they pay dividends in upping curb appeal. Lichtenauer says garden areas and play sets can be negotiating factors in the sale of your home. n Repair.

Replace rotted boards on the exterior of the house. Make sure the roof is in good shape, replacing bent or dented gutters.

Fix cracked or crumbling driveways or sidewalks, sagging fences or leaning mailboxes.

Look at the dirt work around the foundation of the house and add dirt when necessary. Make sure exterior lights and fixtures are clean and work. n Focus on the entryway.

Lichtenauer points to how much time prospective buyers spend standing on porches and in entryways while a Realtor opens lock boxes. The entryway should be a point of focus in upping curb appeal.

Consider repainting the front door or adding crown molding to the entryway ceiling for extra flair. Keep storm doors free of smears and smudges and sweep cobwebs and dead leaves out of corners. Replace

Home market eyes millennial buyers Brandpoint

rex wolf/special to tHE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

An entryway that has a fresh, clean look can favorably influence a potential homebuyer. dated door hardware and add a welcome mat.

Upping your home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to be expensive, but it can be the difference between getting a second look or getting passed over. A good Realtor can help give suggestions for areas of improvement prior to putting your house on the market.

For years, consumer buying power and purchasing trends have revolved around baby boomers. However, within the past several years, the spotlight has shifted to the 80-plus million Americans ages 25 to 34, known as millennials.

Now the largest demographic group in history, this generation is undoubtedly the most studied. Significant research findings, speculations and predictions about shopping habits and motivators are driving the world to cater to this group.

Home ownership is one example. In many U.S. cities, millennials make up half or more of home purchasers (many of them first-time homebuyers), according to a recent study by Realtor.com and reported by Bloomberg.

So what are millennials looking for in their homes?

According to the recent Responsive Home initiative conducted by Builder Magazine, TRI Pointe Group (Pardee Homes) and partners such as Danze Inc., several priorities rose to the top of their “must have” list when it comes to homes: n Ability to maximize all spaces within the home (efficient, creative storage). n Urban conveniences in suburban settings (able to walk to parks and schools). n Plentiful outdoor space, including an outdoor kitchen when possible. n Customizable floor plans (i.e., ability to have a nanny or mother-in-law suite with kitchenette and more). n Elements with high design that offer functionality and value.

The juxtaposition of elements, such as a white sink against a bronzefinished faucet, may appeal to millennials.

“This time of year, adding colors and keeping things as clean and fresh as possible helps with the presentation of your home,” Lichtenauer said.

“The exterior tells (buyers) how you care for the interior.”

Shanna Sloyer is a freelance writer from Topeka. You can reach her at ssloyer@yahoo.com.

BRANDPOINT

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Service Directory

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New eggplant hybrid billed as meat alternative

By Dean Fosdick The Associated Press

Eggplant hasn’t been a favorite of American home gardeners, but a new hybrid that’s billed as an alternative to meat could be changing that.

The hybrid dubbed “Meatball” has powered its way into the home-garden market this spring. Sales rival those of tomatoes and peppers, among the most popular items in the W. Atlee Burpee & Co. seed catalog, said George Ball, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.

“This new one is not like any eggplant we’ve ever bred or found or seen,” he said.

The Meatball contains more water, which resists oil in the frying pan.

“That makes for a more refreshing and less oily product,” he said. “It also is seedless, giving it two important genetic virtues.”

Kitchen trials were held with friends, family and focus groups using the Meatball as a hamburger or steak-like primary ingredient.

“It won hands-down when compared to both veggie burgers and meat” in taste tests, Ball said.

Maturity dates for the new eggplant range from 55 to 78 days, depending on location. Eggplants are native to India, much of China and Southeast Asia, so most species thrive in high heat.

Many of the later European versions were white or yellow, resembling chicken or goose eggs; hence the name eggplant.

Their earliest use was believed to be more medicinal than culinary.

Eggplants’ fruit, roots and leaves were used for treating abscesses and intestinal problems.

Thomas Jefferson often has been credited with importing eggplants into American gardens in the late 1700s, but they were slow to gain popularity as a cooking staple, a trend that continues today.

“Recipes are limited for making (eggplant) more flavorful, which may account for some of its slow acceptance,” Marianne Ophardt, Benton County director for Washington State University Extension, said.

“It generally doesn’t have the same crispness or flavor as tomatoes. A lot of

people harvest it when it’s over-mature, which makes it taste bitter and seedy.”

Eggplants are easy to grow, however, and are tougher in the garden than peppers, Ophardt said.

“I grow mine in a half wine barrel,” she said. “I learned the hard way not to put too many (plants) in. They can grow fairly large and take up containers.”

Eggplants have few pest problems, she said: “Some aphids, maybe, but even without treating them they’ll go away.”

And the vegetable has changed over time.

“Colors vary now from bright purple to oranges, whites and striped,” Ophardt said.

“Some are a little different flavored. I use them

DEAN FOSDICK/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Typical purple-colored eggplants grow in a raised garden.

Hybrid eggplants have changed over time. Colors vary now from bright purple to oranges, whites and striped. a lot when cooking Thai food.”

There is a lot of diversity among eggplants, includ-

ing heirlooms, she said.

“That includes some that are more ornamental than anything else.”

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