Why Bug Zappers Are a Terrible Idea
In a world filled with terrible ideas, bug zappers are among the worst. Because they zap the wrong bugs. They don’t work on mosquitoes. They attract things that are attracted to light, like moths. They kill insects that are beautiful and harmless and important pollinators and food for birds, and they actually attract more mosquitoes to bite you. Surely the very definition of a terrible idea. Mosquitoes are initially attracted to the weird glowing ultraviolet light, but then, as they’re drawn closer to your patio, the irresistible (to a mosquito) smell of human breath lures them away....
Read MoreButtercups, Daisies, Dandelions, Clover: A Meadow of Magic
Superstitions about buttercups, clover, and daisies come from that ancient worldview of plants as magical, powerful beings, perhaps inhabited by gods or spirits, able to confer blessings, grant wisdom, and shield you against misfortune.
Read MoreWhat To Do If You’ve Touched Poison Ivy
What if you’ve just waded through a cluster of poison ivy? To avoid a rash, wash off the oil as soon as you can. Cold water, lots of it. Then keep it dry.
Read MoreLet’s Not Re-Open Schools; Let’s Re-think Them
Let’s focus on the main issue: keeping children sane and healthy while we wait for this terrible year to pass. Let’s use every park, every nature center, every green space, every urban community garden and vacant lot.
Read MoreRachel Carson In Maine: The Salty Garden
At the end of her life, Rachel Carson was struggling to raise an adopted child, write a world-changing book, and battle terminal cancer, simultaneously. She didn’t have any spare time for gardening. Her backyard was the North Atlantic, and her garden was a salty one.
Read MoreLichens: What Are They, Anyway?
What is a lichen, anyway? It’s actually two things, two distinct and unrelated organisms—a species of fungi and a species of algae—living harmoniously together.
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