SCORES & OUTDOORS: Mainers warned to brace for rodent surge following heatwaves

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

According to Zachary Smith, of Smith’s Pest Management, summer heatwaves have created the ‘perfect storm’ for a surge in rodent activity.

Mainers have had to grapple with heatwaves this summer, and while these extreme weather patterns have obvious consequences, such as water shortages and increased wildfire risk, there’s another, less visible threat lurking in the shadows: a surge in rodent activity.

Smith warns that “the summer heatwaves we’ve experienced have created the perfect storm for a surge in rodent activity. When the environment becomes too hostile for rodents in the wild, they turn to our homes for food and shelter. Unfortunately, that means an invasion is likely.”

Here, he breaks down the details:

“When droughts hit, the landscape undergoes significant changes,” explains Smith. “Vegetation withers, water sources dry up, and ecosystems become stressed. These conditions drive rodents to seek out new environments where they can find the resources they need to survive – namely, food and water. Your home, with its reliable water supply and food sources, becomes an attractive target.” Rodents, particularly rats and mice, are incredibly resourceful. “In times of scarcity, they will invade homes, garages, and outbuildings, searching for sustenance,” Smith adds. “The lack of natural food sources and diminishing populations of predators, such as birds of prey, exacerbate the problem, allowing rodent populations to grow unchecked.”

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

It’s important to be vigilant and recognize the early signs of a rodent infestation. Smith notes, “The sooner you identify a rodent problem, the easier it is to handle it before it becomes a full-blown infestation.” Here are some common indicators:

Droppings: Rodent droppings are a telltale sign of an infestation. These are often found near food sources, in cupboards, or along baseboards.

Gnaw Marks: Rats and mice constantly gnaw on objects to keep their teeth sharp. Look for gnaw marks on food packaging, furniture, and wires.

Nests: Rodents build nests from shredded paper, fabric, and other soft materials. These nests are usually hidden in dark, secluded areas like attics, basements, or behind appliances.

Scurrying Sounds: You might hear scratching or scurrying sounds in the walls, especially at night when rodents are most active.

Footprints: In dusty areas, you may notice small footprints or tail marks.

Protecting Your Home from Rodent Infestations

“Preventing a rodent infestation is always easier than dealing with one after it’s taken hold,” advises Smith. Here are some steps you can take to protect your home:

Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for any gaps or cracks that rodents could use to enter. Pay special attention to areas around doors, windows, and pipes. Even a small opening can be an entryway for mice or rats.

Remove Food Sources: Store food in airtight containers, clean up spills immediately, and ensure that garbage is properly sealed and disposed of regularly.

Eliminate Water Sources: Fix leaky pipes, dripping faucets, and remove standing water where rodents could drink.

Trim Vegetation: Keep shrubs, trees, and other vegetation trimmed back from your home. This reduces the number of hiding places for rodents near your house.

Use Rodent Traps: Set traps in areas where you’ve noticed rodent activity. This can help to control populations before they become unmanageable.

“The combination of heatwaves and drought is likely to lead to a rise in rodent activity across the country. By taking proactive steps now, you can reduce the risk of an infestation and protect your home,” adds Smith. “Don’t wait until it’s too late. The time to act is now.”

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who was the first pitcher to have his number retired by the Boston Red Sox?

Answer
Pedro Martinez (No. 45).

SCORES & OUTDOORS – So many wolf questions: here are some answers

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wolf

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

With the increasing number of wolf sightings reported to me, I found it necessary to revisit the subject. Thanks to John Glowa, of the Maine Wolf Coalition, I will share with you the contents of an email he submitted to The Town Line.

Wolves are attempting to recolonize the northeast after a century’s absence. The closest acknowledged wolf populations are in Québec, just 60 miles from New York and 75 miles from Maine. Thousands more wolves live in southern and central Canada and the Great Lakes states, well within the 1,000+ mile distance that wolves have been known to travel during dispersal.

Dispersal is simply a young wolf leaving its pack’s territory in search of a mate and a territory of its own. These dispersing young wolves are often called “lone” wolves. Just as we humans do, nearly all young wolves leave home to live and possibly raise a family of their own.

Wolves are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem. In the northeast, the lack of wolves after we exterminated them in the 19th century allowed coyote/wolf hybrids to move in from Canada where coyotes and wolves interbred. The offspring of these hybrid animals crossed the St. Lawrence River more than a century ago and their populations grew. Their range expanded because they had no competition from wolves for food and territory. They now live throughout the northeast and maritime Canada including Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. These coyote/wolf hybrids are believed to have established a population in Maine by the 1930s and now number in the thousands in Maine alone.

It is important to know that there are no coyotes in the northeast U.S. All large canids are either coyote/wolf hybrids or wolves. The northeast canid referred to as a coyote or eastern coyote is not a species but is a coyote/wolf hybrid.

coyote coy-wolf

In 1993, a young female wolf was killed by a bear hunter in northern Maine. Since then, a dozen or so wolves have been documented killed by hunters or trappers south of the St. Lawrence River. Most of these were large animals that were primarily gray wolf. It is believed that Maine once had both gray wolves and eastern wolves. Gray wolves are larger animals – the animals that we normally think of as wolves. They generally range from 65-90+ pounds and prey primarily on moose, deer and beaver. Eastern wolves are smaller and generally range from 45-65 pounds. They seldom prey on moose, but do prey on deer, beaver and smaller animals. They will also eat berries, and their diet is similar to that of coyote/wolf hybrids. These animals can easily be confused with “coyotes” and it is likely that some of Maine’s eastern wolves are killed by hunters and trappers but are unreported due to their smaller size. Eastern wolves are now considered a threatened species in Canada. The U.S. government does not recognize the eastern wolf as a species, but rather as a gray wolf. This position is being reviewed and is subject to change. In 2019, the Maine Wolf Coalition collected a scat in northern Maine that was documented through DNA analysis to have come from an eastern wolf.

Wolves in Maine continue to be protected by federal law, but that law is not enforced. It is impossible to tell the difference between a “coyote” and an eastern wolf just by sight. The State of Maine encourages the killing of wolves by encouraging the killing of “coyotes”. The State of Maine wants nothing to do with wolves and excludes them from its State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). SWAPs are revised every ten years, and the 2025 SWAP is presently being written by various state agencies in order to qualify for federal funding for the state.

On a federal level, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has tried and failed for years to have wolves removed from the list of endangered species. Multiple losses in court have resulted in a recent proposal by the Service to develop a National Gray Wolf Recovery Plan. That plan is supposed to be rolled out by late 2025. Wolf advocates including the Maine Wolf Coalition (MWC) recently met with representatives of the service to urge the agency to include the northeast in the recovery plan and to offer our assistance in developing it. Our more than 30 years of wolf advocacy have accumulated a wealth of information about the status of wolves and the potential for wolf recovery in the northeast and Canada south of the St. Lawrence River.

A major recent development has been the establishment of the Northeast Wolf Recovery Alliance (NEWRA) in 2023. MWC is a charter member of NEWRA which includes as members individuals and organizations from New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Ontario and Québec as well as two national wildlife advocacy organizations. We have come to realize that it is essential for the U.S. and Canada to work together for wolf recovery in the region because wolves do not recognize invisible national boundaries.

Since 2019, MWC has actively been collecting canid scat across Maine for DNA analysis. This is work that neither the state of Maine nor the service is doing. We presently have nearly 200 scats at Michigan Technological University awaiting analysis. We have also been collecting some amazing trail camera photos and videos of wolflike canids from the Maine-New Hampshire border to far northern Aroostook County. We hope to document the status of wolves in Maine to try to force the state and federal governments to actively work to protect and recover them.

We have believed and we continue to believe that wolf recovery in the northeast will happen if we simply let it happen. Wolves in Canada and the northeast need real protection from hunters and trappers. We have never advocated reintroducing or bringing wolves into the northeast and releasing them. The evidence tells us that wolves are already here and that they will recover…if we only let them.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

What country has competed the most times in the Summer Olympics, yet hasn’t won a gold medal?

Answer
Philippines.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Katydids are considered gentle insects not harmful to humans

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Last week, a friend of mine texted me with the photo of a cricket-like bug for identification. Before I could get back to him, he ID it as a katydid. A few days later, I saw one hanging on the screen door at camp. It had been a while since I had seen one.

Katydids are a family of insects related to grasshoppers and crickets. They’re also called bush crickets or long-horned grasshoppers in some regions. There are more than 6,000 types of katydids, and they’re found on every continent except for Antarctica. The vast majority of katydid species live in the tropical regions of the world. For example, the Amazon basin rain forest is home to over 2,000 species of katydids. However, katydids are found in the cool, dry temperate regions, as well, with about 255 species in North America.

Most types of katydids are green and have markings to help them blend in with leaves and other foliage. Like crickets and grasshoppers, they have long back legs to help them jump. They can rub their front wings together to make a loud ka-ty-did song that gives them their name. Some katydid songs, however, are at too high a frequency for human ears to hear.

Katydids are usually considered gentle insects that aren’t harmful to humans. Some people consider them garden pests; however, they usually don’t cause serious damage to your plants or vegetables. The Common Garden Katydid is a quite common backyard buddy and garden visitor.

Many people even keep them as pets. In rare cases, larger types of katydid may pinch or bite if they feel threatened. Their bite is unlikely to break your skin and likely won’t be any more painful than a mosquito bite. You’re very unlikely to get bitten unless you’re handling them with your bare hands. It’s extremely unlikely that the bite will need medical attention. You can wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress if you have pain or swelling.

Katydids primarily eat leaves and grass. Along with crickets and grasshoppers, they may be attracted to the plants in your garden or any tall grass on your property. Katydids are nocturnal and are also attracted to bright lights at night.

One type of katydid found widely across North America, the broad-winged katydid, likes to eat the leaves of citrus trees and may be a pest for people with orchards.

You may not know much about katydids, probably because they are masters of camouflage. Their green colouring and leaf-like shape helps them blend into leafy surroundings, and they are most active at night. They may be tough to spot, but may be a lot more common than you think.

Katydids don’t have ears on their heads, but instead they have an ear called a ‘tympanum’ on each front leg, just below the knee. Up close, this looks like a hole in their leg.

The lifespan of a katydid is about a year, with full adulthood usually developing very late. Females most typically lay their eggs at the end of summer beneath the soil or in plant stem holes. The eggs are typically oval and laid in rows on the host plant.

When katydids go to rest during the day, they enter a diurnal roosting posture to maximize their cryptic qualities. This position fools predators into thinking the katydid is either dead or just a leaf on the plant. By flicking their wings open when disturbed, they use the coloration to fool predators into thinking the spots are eyes. This, in combination with their coloration mimicking leaves, allows them to blend in with their surroundings, but also makes predators unsure which side is the front and which side is the back.

They have polygamous relationships. The first male to mate is guaranteed an extremely high confidence of paternity when a second male couples at the termination of female sexual refractoriness. The nutrients that the offspring ultimately receive will increase their fitness.

The polygamous relationships of the katydids lead to high levels of male-male competition. Male competition is caused by the decreased availability of males able to supply nutrients to the females. Females produce more eggs on a high-quality diet; thus, the female looks for healthier males with more nutrition. Females use the sound created by the male to judge his fitness. The louder and more fluent the trill, the higher the fitness of the male.

When you think about it, there is a lot that goes on in the world of what we consider “just a bug.”

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Which retired former Red Sox player is married to Olympic and World Cup soccer player Mia Hamm?

Answer
Nomar Garciaparra.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Lately, I’ve been getting a “rash” of questions about poison ivy

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poison ivy leaves

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

For some reason, this summer, I am getting more and more questions about poison ivy. Where is it? What does it look like? What do you do about it and how do you treat it?

All very legitimate questions.

As we all know, poison ivy and other members of its family can cause a lot of misery to humans should they make contact with the toxic plant.

Poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans, is a member of the cashew family. It usually grows as a vine twining on tree trunks or crawls along the ground. It is generally found in all states in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and southern Canada, specifically Québec, Ontario and Manitoba.

It may grow as a forest understory plant, although it is only somewhat shade tolerant. The plant is extremely common in suburban areas of New England. It can grow in many types of soil, and is not sensitive to soil moisture, although it does not grow in arid conditions.

The leaves of the poison ivy are red in the spring, turning to a shiny green later. Come fall, they turn yellow, red or orange. Each leaf is made up of three leaflets more or less notched at the edges. However, don’t let that be the determining factor. Some leaves have smooth edges. Two of the leaves appear opposite each other on the stem while the third one stands alone at the tip. Later in the season, clusters of poisonous, whitish, waxy looking berries will form.

Many people have difficulty identifying the plants because it can look like other plants, while, sometimes, other plants are mistaken as poison ivy.

Obviously, contact with the plant should be avoided. You can become infected simply by walking through the bush, taking off your shoes, and making contact with your skin.

Poison ivy in the U.S. is more common now than when Europeans first arrived in North America. The development of real estate adjacent to wild, undeveloped land caused the plant to spread into vast, lush colonies in these areas. Also, birds will eat the berries and transplant them on new areas along with their droppings. It’s also spread by other animals as the seeds remain viable after passing through the digestive system.

A study by researchers at the University of Georgia found poison ivy is particularly sensitive to carbon dioxide levels, increasing in numbers due to a higher concentration in the atmosphere. Poison ivy’s growth has doubled since the 1960s, and could possibly double again as the carbon dioxide levels continue to rise.

What do you do once you’ve made contact and develop a skin rash. There is some hope. Efforts to destroy these plants by uprooting or by spraying chemicals have been somewhat ineffective. Caution: whatever you do, do not burn the plant. Its toxins will filter into the air, and if breathed, can cause irritation in the lungs. Not a very pleasant experience.

The oil on the leaves is known as urushiol. The urushiol compound in poison ivy is not meant as a defensive measure, but rather helps the plant retain water. It is frequently eaten by animals such as deer and bears. Statistically, about 15 percent to 30 percent of people have no allergic reaction to the urushiol. Fortunately, I fall in that category.

Once contact has been made, it takes some time for it to penetrate the skin and do damage. Before this happens, it is wise to wash the skin completely several times with plenty of soap and water. Some experts say that washing within the first hour may help limit the rash. Care should be taken not to touch any other parts of the body, for even tiny amounts of the oil will cause irritation. Also, wash the clothing immediately. If poisoning develops, the blisters and red, itching skin may be treated with dressings of calamine lotion, Epsom salts, or bicarbonate of soda. Dermatologists recommend a simple oatmeal bath and baking soda as a possible remedy. Scientists have developed a vaccine that can be injected or swallowed. But this is effective only if taken before exposure.

So, now we know a little more about poison ivy. But, always remember this: “Leaves of three, let it be.”

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Have the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs ever met in a World Series?

Answer
Yes, in 1918.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: What’s the difference between a cobweb and a spider web?

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

This may not have anything to do with nature, but I think it qualifies.

Nothing is more irritating, to me, at least, than walking into a cobweb as I’m exiting the house or camp. So, that prompted the question, what is the difference between a cobweb and a spider web?

The term “spider web” is typically used to refer to a web that is apparently still in use (i.e., clean), whereas “cobweb” refers to a seemingly abandoned (i.e., dusty) web. However, the word “cobweb” is also used by biologists to describe the tangled three-dimensional web of some spiders of the family Theridiidae.

File this one under “T ”, for “Today I Learned….” Despite emitting from the same arachnid derrière, spider webs and cobwebs are not the same thing. Spider webs are the sticky traps spiders set to capture their supper; cobwebs are but a shadow of their former spider web self.

Typically, a cobweb is an abandoned spider web. The sticky silk of a spider web is excellent at catching insects, so naturally, it’s great at collecting dust. This is especially possible in hard-to-reach areas, like ceiling corners, that are infrequently dusted.

Cobwebs are tangled and irregularly designed webs. Spider webs are more elegant and sophistically designed. Cobwebs are also comprised of a different type of silk than the spider web.

Unlike spider webs, which spiders use to catch and trap their prey, cobwebs are vacant “homes” spiders have abandoned to move on to greener pastures – in this case, usually just a new area of your house. The stray spider silk left behind is incredibly sticky and a magnet for pollen, dust particles, and other debris. This is why, when you discover cobwebs, they appear dirty and loose, instead of elastic and tight as a new spider web.

While they may not pose any real danger, these sticky nuisances certainly don’t add to the aesthetics. Moreover, they tend to accumulate dust, making your space feel less inviting. If your house is starting to resemble a spooky Halloween scene with cobwebs adorning every corner, it’s time to take action. Dust and clean your home regularly. This doesn’t allow a spider to build a web. Dusting regularly doesn’t just keep the webs away, but also ensures other insects attracting elements are cleaned from your house, keeping the prey away, also.

If you’re seeing a lot of spiderwebs in and around your home, it’s likely you’ve incurred a pretty sizeable spider infestation. Spiders typically hide until they have no choice but to come out into the open, so there could be a lot more than you think.

Ways to spider-proof your house:

– Lemon peels. Spiders hate the smell of citrus fruits such as lemons, limes and oranges. …
– Peppermint Oil. This makes a surprisingly great, natural bug repellent. …
– Keep your house clutter-free.
– Close windows at night. …
– White vinegar. …
– Limit lights.

Now, this may sound strange, and it might even be directed at some of our friends, since my wife strongly believes Vicks VapoRub can be used for many cures.

Because of this, Vicks VapoRub is the perfect deterrent – it uses eucalyptus and menthol to open your nasal passages, which is much too strong of a scent for an arachnid. In addition to peppermint, which was mentioned earlier, you can try using essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus, as spiders tend to dislike these scents. You can create a homemade spider-repellent spray by mixing a few drops of these essential oils with water and applying it to spider-prone areas.

The smell of cinnamon also repels these arachnids. Spiders prefer to maintain a fair distance away from them. Ultimately, cinnamon oil will also fight other insects and keep them away, so it’s not for spiders only. Mix cinnamon oil with water, dip a cotton ball in, then wipe the mixture in spider-prone areas.

How about moth balls? My wife and I use them liberally when closing up camp in the fall to discourage mice from entering the shelter. Contrary to what many believe, these moth balls really work. So…

As the mothball disintegrates, the chemical is released into the air. The foul scent that is released becomes a spider repellent and gets rid of spiders. They are repelled by this naturally occurring scent. With that being said, spiders will avoid mothballs at all costs.

Will dryer sheets work? Dryer sheets are rumored to protect against much more than static cling. But there is no scientific research to back up these claims.

Finally, my wife and I use small electronic devices to discourage spiders from entering our camp. You can buy them at The Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Agway and Aubuchon Hardware. They are small plug-ins that have a small blinking red light, and the sound of a “tick” every few seconds. They work very well.

So, we’ve learned quite a bit about spiders, their webs and repellants today. Now, if you’re not a fan of spiders, like I, get to work.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

What “curse” prevented the Red Sox winning the World Series for 85 years?.

Answer
Curse of the Bambino. (A supposed curse placed on the Red Sox when they traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.)

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Have you seen this invasive plant hopper?

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The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Have you seen one of these?

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive planthopper that feeds on a wide range of plants, including grapes, hops, stone fruits, and hardwood trees. When the spotted lanternfly feeds, it excretes a sticky, sugary fluid that causes sooty mold, which can further damage plants. Its preferred host is tree of heaven. Today 17 states have some degree of infestation.

The spotted lanternfly is a hitchhiking pest that is native to Asia. It lays its eggs on any hard surface including grills, vehicles, trailers, firewood, outdoor furniture, bikes and toys. The pest was first detected in 2014 in Pennsylvania. It likely arrived in the United States on goods shipped from overseas.

The spotted lanternfly can harm our fruit and forest industries. Early detection is a critical step to mitigating economic and ecological losses. Residents in SLF quarantine areas should check outdoor items before traveling to new areas. Here’s what to look for:

Nymphs (juvenile spotted lanternflies) are black with white spots and turn red as they develop.

Adults, roughly one-inch long and 1/2-inch wide, have a yellow, black-barred abdomen. With large, visually striking wings, adult spotted lanternflies can be easier to spot than other pests. They have brown forewings with black spots at the front and a speckled band at the rear. Their hind wings are scarlet with black spots at the front and white and black bars at the rear.

Newly laid egg masses (holding 30-50 eggs) resemble wet, gray putty before turning dull and brown, mirroring a smear of cracked mud. The one-inch long egg masses can be seen in fall, winter, and spring on a variety of smooth surfaces, such as trees, bricks, stones, fences, grills, equipment, and vehicles.

When spotted lanternflies feed on plants, they leave behind a sticky, oozing residue called honeydew. This substance attracts other insects, causes mold growth, and further hurts plants.

As honeydew ferments, it can develop an intense, rotten smell.

One of the best places to look for these pests is on a tree-of-heaven, a favorite plant for spotted lanternflies. The tree has a cantaloupe-like texture, with bark that appears light brown to gray. The leaves are large, one to four feet in length. These leaves are made up of many smaller leaflets on both sides of a central stem.

Spotted lanternflies (both nymphs and adults) frequently gather in large numbers when feeding. They’re easiest to spot at dusk or at night as they migrate up and down the trunk of a plant. During the day, they tend to cluster near the base or canopy of a plant, making them more difficult to see.

While there is no active infestation of the spotted lanternfly in Maine, spotted lanternfly eggs were discovered in the Pine Tree State in 2020. Spotted lanternfly has also been seen in neighboring New Hampshire.

Not sure if you’ve seen a spotted lantern fly? If you think you see any of the life stages of the spotted lanternfly, please report it to Bugwatch@maine.gov.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In the 1971 Olympics, Nadia Comaneci was the first gymnast to record a perfect score. What country was she representing?

Answer
Romania.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Dragonflies appear by the dozens

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

While driving into work one morning last week, I hit a swarm of dragonflies along the Seaward Mills Road, in Vassalboro. It resembled snow coming at you while driving through a storm. They were coming at me too fast for me to even get an educated guess as to how many there were.

A dragonfly is a flying insect. About 3,000 extant species of dragonflies are known. Most are tropical, with fewer species in temperate regions. Loss of wetland habitat threatens dragonfly populations around the world. Adult dragonflies are characterized by a pair of large, multifaceted, compound eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with colored patches, and an elongated body. Many dragonflies have brilliant iridescent or metallic colors produced by structural coloration, making them conspicuous in flight.

Dragonflies can be mistaken for the closely related damselflies, and are similar in body plan, though usually lighter in build; however, the wings of most dragonflies are held flat and away from the body, while damselflies hold their wings folded at rest, along or above the abdomen. Dragonflies are agile fliers, while damselflies have a weaker, fluttery flight. Dragonflies make use of motion camouflage when attacking prey or rivals.

Dragonflies are predatory insects, both in their aquatic nymphal stage and as adults. In some species, the nymphal stage lasts up to five years, and the adult stage may be as long as 10 weeks, but most species have an adult lifespan in the order of five weeks or fewer, and some survive for only a few days.

They are fast, agile fliers capable of highly accurate aerial ambush, sometimes migrating across oceans, and often live near water.

I remember one evening a few yearas ago when my wife and I went out fishing. It was just before dark, and we were fishing the shoreland for bass. We were being pestered by mosquitoes. Then, out of the blue, came a squadron of dragonflies that started to consume the mosquitoes. For the rest of the time we were on the lake that swarm of dragonflies followed us. We were not bothered by mosquitoes, again.

Dragonflies have a uniquely complex mode of reproduction involving indirect insemination, delayed fertilization, and sperm competition. During mating, the male grasps the female at the back of the head, and the female curls her abdomen under her body to pick up sperm from the male’s secondary genitalia at the front of his abdomen, forming the “heart” or “wheel” posture.

Fossils of very large dragonfly-like insects, sometimes called griffinflies, are found from 325 million years ago. They were only distant relatives, not true dragonflies which first appeared during the Early Jurassic.

Dragonflies are represented in human culture on artifacts such as pottery, rock paintings, statues, and Art Nouveau jewelry. They are used in traditional medicine in Japan and China, and caught for food in Indonesia. They are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness in Japan, but seen as sinister in European folklore. Their bright colors and agile flight are admired in the poetry of Lord Tennyson and the prose of H. E. Bates.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Name the small town in Indiana where Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Larry Bird was born.

Answer
French Lick, Indiana.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: It’s caterpillar season in Maine

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Spring has arrived in Maine, and with it, the Maine Forest Service and others have been fielding caterpillar questions. Caterpillars are essential food for many other animals, including insects, birds, mammals, and even fish! However, sometimes caterpillars from our trees and shrubs become nuisances around our homes and workplaces, and outbreak populations can threaten tree health. The caterpillars of forest tent, eastern tent and browntail moths are beginning to make their presence known.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry urges you to take a responsible approach to living with the caterpillars in your developed landscape and avoid causing unnecessary harm to the environment and human health.

Remember that caterpillars play an important role in the environment; what you consider a pest may be someone else’s meal.
Consider no-action as a valid strategy. Sometimes, it is the most reasonable approach, but often, there are small steps you can take to reduce impacts.
If populations are unbearable or threaten a high-value ornamental tree’s health, correctly identify the caterpillar and begin with the least-toxic approach.

It is against the law to apply pesticides in ways that do not comply with label directions. Improper pesticide use can threaten human and environmental health.

The Maine Board of Pesticide Control does not recommend home-remedy pesticides. In some cases, they are illegal.

What follows are some less toxic approaches to managing tent caterpillars.

Eastern Tent Caterpillar

Tent caterpillar

This is a native caterpillar that feeds on fruit trees and shrubs (Rose family species such as cherries, apples, serviceberries, and hawthorns). It can strip ornamental and fruit trees but it is not a significant forest or human health threat in Maine. If you see them in a tree that you don’t want them to remain in throughout their caterpillar season you can:

Remove unhatched egg masses. This only will apply in cooler spots in the coldest areas of the state. We have already seen the start of eastern tent caterpillar hatch all the way to northern Aroostook County this year. Next winter, consider scouting these trees for egg masses so you can remove those prior to hatch.

Strip young colonies of caterpillars from branches within reach using gloved fingers.
Relocate developing nests to a woodland fruit tree like a black cherry or serviceberry. If you remove the twig it is on, sanitize pruning tools before use and between cuts. These caterpillars host some generalist predators and parasitoids that can help reduce other caterpillar populations.

Remove and destroy the nest. You can strip them off using your hands, or, with larger nests, put a forked twig or pole with a nail into the web, twist it, then pull the nest off. Done in the early morning or on a rainy day, you will remove most of the caterpillars that use the nest.

Forest Tent Caterpillar

Forest tent caterpillar

This is a native caterpillar that has boom and bust population cycles. Parts of Aroostook County have had several years of high populations of this insect, with caterpillars especially abundant on aspen species and also feeding on other hardwood trees and shrubs.

It is important to know that hardwood trees can tolerate a couple of years of severe defoliation before showing long-term health impacts, assuming other stresses, like drought, are not present. As a native species, this caterpillar provides important food for other species, including enemies of other insect pests.

On small, ornamental trees and shrubs, the egg masses can be removed by hand and destroyed. Note that hatch has started in northern Aroostook County and will take place over several days.

Young colonies of caterpillars can be removed from branch tips or squashed while they rest on the main stem, especially in the evening or on cool days.

In larger established landscapes experiencing their first year of defoliation, healthy trees will pull through. If this will be beyond the second year, you expect more than a third of the leaves to be consumed, you may want to consider insecticide treatment. We recommend working with a licensed pesticide applicator to treat established ornamental trees. They may use a foliar application of insecticide or a systemic treatment. If applied early enough in the life cycle, BtK, an active ingredient that has action specifically against caterpillars, can be used. It must be applied to the leaves of trees that young caterpillars are actively feeding on to be effective.

Be aware that the period of wandering caterpillars is short. Sometimes, just waiting them out is the most practical solution. If caterpillars are a nuisance around the home, they can be washed from hard surfaces like decks and siding with a strong stream of water or brushed off with a stiff-bristled broom. Where possible, follow that by removing them using a wet canister shop vac. A shop vac with a couple of inches of water in the canister can also be used to remove caterpillars from hard surfaces within reach. A couple of drops of soap added to the water will break surface tension and allow the water to suffocate the caterpillars. Be aware if you don’t clean them up, they may just climb right back where they were.

Cocoons on siding and other surfaces may be removed by a stiff-bristled broom. Test this approach in a small area first to see if the surface can withstand the treatment.

Browntail Moth

browntail moth caterpillar

This non-native species is also in an epidemic population stage in parts of Maine. Because the hairs on the caterpillar have human health impacts, if you choose to remove caterpillars, be sure to do so only after taking precautions to prevent exposure. Our website has detailed management tips for browntail moth. You can also subscribe to our browntail moth updates for more details on this insect.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Renewed deer tick alert

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Deer tick, left, and engorged, right.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

There is nothing like beating a subject to death. But, in this case, it’s worth every word.

You have to be living in a cave not to know that deer ticks are at an all time high. They are everywhere. Friends and family have told me stories about their encounters with the insect, and they all have one thing in common. They have all had multiple numbers on them at one time.

Also, as you know, deer ticks are hazardous to your health, primarily because they are the carriers of the dreaded Lyme Disease. In the last decade alone, the population of ticks of all kinds has ballooned in the United States. The number of ticks that carry Lyme disease has been on the rise in the mid-Atlantic states, and has skyrocketed throughout the Northeast. It has gained a reputation as a serious health problem in many areas.

On top of that, with most of us trying to get outdoors this time of year (opening camps is a real concern), and with the recent mild winter we experienced, the deer ticks are already active and will be out in force this summer.

Only adult female ticks and nymphs can transmit infections through their bite. Male ticks attach, but they don’t feed or become engorged. Adult females have red and brown bodies and are larger than males. Nymphs are actively feeding between early April and early August.

Although not all deer ticks are infected with Lyme disease, you never really know. Only ticks that have fed on infected mammals are diseased. About half of deer ticks are infected (usually white-footed mice can be other culprits).

Deer ticks live two to three years, and in that time usually enjoy three blood meals. In the spring and summer of its second year, a nymph will take its second meal. They insert their mouth parts into the skin much like a corkscrew, which ensures them a nice tight grasp. They often take up to five days to complete their meal.

This fact is key to reducing panic when discovering a tick. An infected tick must be attached to its host for at least 24 hours, and up to 48 hours to transmit the disease. It’s the very reason for checking your body right away after any possible exposure to a tick-infested environment.

Deer ticks crawl. They usually grab onto people or animals that brush up against plants near ground level, and then they crawl upwards to find a quiet place for their blood meal ­– the inner thigh and in the hair line behind the neck are a couple of “favorite” spots. Although many sources will state that ticks don’t land on you from an overhanging tree branch, many people have insisted it has happened to them.

Ticks live in wooded, brushy areas that provide food and cover for mice, deer and other mammals. The ideal tick environment is humid. Your exposure will be greatest along trails in the woods and fringe areas between woods and the border, where they will wait patiently on the tips of vegetation for an unsuspecting host to walk by.

Life is too short to avoid the outdoors during our short spring, summer and fall. In Maine, that is about half the year. There is no need to be brave, just be smart: cover your body; wear repellant; check yourself for ticks, if you find a tick, remove it immediately; shower soon after being outdoors; throw clothing in the dryer, that will kill any ticks present; and finally, if you are concerned, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.

The best way to remove a tick is to use fine-point tweezers and grab the tick as close to the skin surface as possible. Pull backwards gently but firmly, using an even, steady pressure. Do your best not to jerk or twist. Don’t squeeze, crush or puncture the tick’s body, the fluids inside may contain infection-causing organisms. After removing the tick, wash the skin and your hands thoroughly with hot soap and water. If any mouth part of the tick remain in the skin, leave them alone. They will be expelled on their own. It could take weeks. Trying to remove them will only cause you unnecessary pain.

For the deer tick, Ixodes scapularis, deer are the preferred host, but they can also be found in small rodents. After the female is engorged, the tick drops off and overwinters in the leaf litter of the forest floor. The following spring, she will lay several hundred to a few thousand eggs in clusters. They are very hardy creatures. They will be active even after a moderate to severe frost, as daytime temperatures can warm them enough to keep them actively searching for a host. In the spring, they are one of the first invertebrates to become active.

It may be monotonous to keep hearing about the health hazards of being infected by a deer tick, but it’s one that needs to be repeated.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

The 1927 New York Yankees batting order, including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, was known by what nickname?

Answer
Murderer’s Row.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Need a thermometer? Try the snowy tree cricket

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Snowy tree cricket

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Over the last 50 years or so of my adult life, I have been involved in many activities, including coaching sports at the youth and high school levels, and have done my share of local political participation. So, in exposing myself to critics, I have been called some unflattering names. Some more colorful than others. But, one thing of which I have never been accused is being a nerd.

So, with that, I must make a confession. Although skeptical at first, I have become a follower of the now defunct TV sitcom, The Big Bang Theory. That group of nerds deals solely in science, and very rarely on practicality. My original evaluation of the show was that no one could be that nerdy. So, in one recent rerun episode, Sheldon, the “top” nerd of the group, talked about the Snowy Tree Cricket.

That was a good one. Who made up that name? It sounds contrary to anything about crickets I know. Well, I looked it up, and sure enough, it actually exists.

This is what I found. The snowy tree cricket, Oecanthus fultoni, also known as the thermometer cricket, is a species of tree cricket from North America. It feeds on leaves but also damages fruit. The chirp of this species is often dubbed onto sound tracks of films and television shows to depict a quiet summer’s night, or ridicule from an audience attending a comic’s show when they don’t think the joke was funny. The rate of chirp varies depending on the heat of the environment, allowing a listener to estimate the temperature.

The cricket’s common name of the thermometer cricket is derived from a relationship between the rate of its chirps and the temperature. An estimate of the temperature in Fahrenheit can be made by adding 40 to the number of chirps made in 15 seconds. Before 1960, the name Oecanthus niveus was wrongly applied to this species. Oecanthus fultoni was named in honor of Bentley Ball Fulton (1880 – 1960), an American entomologist who laid the principal groundwork on North American cricket classification.

Of course, if you are really interested in using the snowy tree cricket as a thermometer, you should calibrate your local crickets against a thermometer placed near where they sing. Count their chirps per minute at a variety of temperatures, graph the results, draw a line that fits the points, and use a little algebra to arrive at a handy formula.

The species is about a half inch long and is light green with translucent light green wings. It has black marks on the first and second antennal segments, that are either round or oval shaped, and is about half the length of a segment. The antennae are longer than its body and it has a small head. The eggs are pale yellow and shaped like a kidney. Its nymphs are pale and slender with wings that are not completely developed. The nymphs develop wings slowly. It has one generation per year.

American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne said of the species’ chirps, “If moonlight could be heard, it would sound just like that.”

The species can be found throughout the United States except the southeastern part of the country. In Maine, they are predominantly in York and Cumberland counties. It is located in shrubs, vines, fruit trees, broad-leaved trees, and oaks. The cricket can rarely be found in grass. Adults of the species can be found from mid-July to mid-November. The cricket can sometimes be so high in oak trees that its chirp is the only way to identify it.

Both nymphs and adults feed on leaves and their feeding causes barely any damage. The cricket is known to destroy apples, plums, peaches, and cherries. The female drills a hole into a twig’s cambium in which to lay its egg. It then makes a row of punctures on one side of the hole and seals it with either excrement or chewed plant tissue once the egg is placed. Adults of the species eat holes in ripe fruits which results in the fruit rotting. It normally does not cause any damage in orchards that are consistently sprayed.

There is yet more to know about the song of the snowy tree cricket. Although Sheldon talked about it, the cricket never did make an appearance.

Not quite the whole show

Well, I caved in. At first showing no interest in the solar eclipse that occurred on April 8, a colleague came into the office with some extra pairs of viewing glasses. My curiosity took over.

I sat outside for approximately 25 minutes, and from my vantage point in China, I witnessed what I would classify as a 98.5 percent eclipse. In that 25 minutes, it never came to totality.

Oh well, there’s always 2044.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In how many Stanley Cup finals did Boston Bruins’ defenseman Bobby Orr play?

Answer
Two. 1970 and 1972, winning the Stanley Cup both times.