ANNIE SCHLECHTER
24.07.2023 - 12:26 / hgic.clemson.edu
As people are spending more time around their homes during the concerns of COVID-19, they may be more likely to notice small ants crawling in and around their houses. Now is the perfect time to do something about it.
There are approximately 200 species of ants in South Carolina. Most are native and most are good guys (or I should say good gals). However, there is one native species that can go from being benign to a pest when provoked by humans. This is the odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile.
As their name suggests, odorous house ant is, well, odorous and can be comfortable living around your home. These 1/8-inch-long brown to black ants have been described as smelling like rotten-coconuts or suntan lotion when crushed. In natural settings, their nest size tends to be small with a single queen. For example, in a forest, an entire nest may be in a single acorn. In urban areas, nests tend to be very large with thousands or even millions of workers and many queens.
No one knows exactly why odorous house ants can explode in number in urban and suburban areas, but entomologist, Dr. Grzegorz Buczkowski from Purdue University has a theory. In a study, Dr. Buczkowski monitored odorous house ants in a forested area that was later cleared for a home. Before construction began, there were 20 species of ants on the site; after construction, there were 4 species with the odorous house ant the dominant group. The reason for the change was probably due to the loss of biodiversity. Many insects are adversely impacted by urbanization, but species like odorous house ants can thrive. Urbanization reduces competition for odorous house ants, and urban structures may increase potential nesting sites.
The spring is a good time to control odorous
ANNIE SCHLECHTER
Need to take that plain wooden side table up a notch? Make it Moroccan! In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create a stylish Moroccan side table that will quickly become a conversation piece. This technique can be used to create a variety of designs, so you can apply it to any project you want! Ready to make a side table worth of resting your morning coffee on? Follow my step-by-step tutorial below to get started today!
Introducing plants into your home or office can create a more positive energy flow. Certain plants have the ability to purify the air, while others provide a sense of well-being, peace, and even stress relief. Eliminating negative energy is an important step in regaining health and happiness. These plants will promote positive energy that will benefit you and those around you!
Spring is finally here and so is warmer weather, as well as the urge to open every window to let fresh air inside your home once again. For one in five people in the UK, however, the latter presents a dilemma.
When was the last time you replaced the air filters in your home? With poor air quality becoming a growing concern across the United States and Canada, you are probably more aware of your home’s air filters than ever before. Air filters help keep our home’s air clean and free of dust, dander, and pollutants. This not only helps us breathe easier, but it also keeps the HVAC systems in good shape and prevents them from experiencing potential damage due to the buildup of airborne particulates.
Did you ever rearrange your bedroom as a kid, just for the fun of it? It’s truly amazing how rearranging some furniture and decor can make a space feel brand new. Little did you know that childhood-you was giving your bedroom a primpover—reimagining the space by using furniture and decor that you already own in new configurations.
Taylor Swift is in her Eras era, and the world is here for it. Whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or just catch the occasional tune on the radio, you’ve probably heard all about the Eras Tour, along with its fantastical world-building and ambitious set design. The three-hour show takes the audience through an era-by-era recap of Swift’s 17-year musical career, covering all of her albums in a stunning and immersive 44-song performance.
The Barbie Dreamhouse has stood as an aspirational symbol of the ideal home ever since Mattel debuted it in 1964. With its cheerful pink hues and bounty of furniture accessories, it evokes feelings of comfort, happiness, and pure reverie among the youngest members of each generation. If you want to channel a bit of that light-hearted fun and nostalgia into your everyday life, here are 20 of our favorite Barbie-themed home goods that should do the trick.
Nothing says Christmas more than a poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). Did you know that December 12th is known as National Poinsettia Day? Plant breeders have developed a wide range of colors in hues of white, purple, orange, and pink, but red poinsettias continue to be the most traditional color of the holiday season.
Hi, there. I am your neighborhood stormwater pond. You might call me by a different name, maybe lagoon, lake, or fishing pond, but chances are if you live in a community with a pond, it’s me, your friendly stormwater pond. I have been designed by engineers to perform an important job and help manage flooding and stormwater pollution in your neighborhood. Each time it rains, stormwater runoff is directed to me through a network of drains, pipes, and ditches; once it reaches the pond it is temporarily stored and slowly released over time, reducing flooding around your streets and homes and capturing and trapping pollution in your pond, protecting downstream waterways. I do such a good job at these that I am one of the most frequently used practices to manage runoff in our communities. In South Carolina’s eight coastal counties, researchers have documented more than 9,000 stormwater ponds alone!
South Carolinians love corn grits, but like most modern Southerners, I grew up eating store-bought instant or quick grits and never considered homegrown grits an option. Then about a decade ago I visited the Hagood Mill Historic Site in Pickens, SC. This renovated 175-year-old water grist mill grinds corn the old-fashioned way into grits and cornmeal on the third Saturday of every month. During that visit, I bought a bag of fresh, stoneground grits, and it changed my view of the Southern staple forever. Several South Carolina mills now offer these hearty grits ground from heirloom corn varieties (mostly a type of corn known as dent corn). If you have never tried fresh, local grits, I encourage you to pick up a bag and give it a try.
While enjoying a slice of delicious locally-made pecan pie, I felt motivated to share with you some tips on growing and enjoying pecans. Whether you say “pee-can” or “peh-cahn,” they are one of the most nutritious nuts you can buy. Or grow for yourself!