Carrie Barre-LiBaire's Gardening Column

Down to Earth Gardening

If you have noticed some odd looking small beetle-like insects paying you a visit in your home, they are most likely strawberry root weevils. I have had many calls, visits and emails about this little nuisance. Strawberry root weevils are black; Ľ inch long insects (6 legs) with a round, pear shaped abdomen and a snout which the antennae are attached. So you may say, "But I don't have any strawberries-why are they in my home?" Well, the larvae of the weevil do feed on the roots of strawberries-but also the roots of evergreens, raspberries, grapes and many other plants. They enter homes when they are seeking shelter from hot and dry weather, which is probably why you'll see them trying to cool off in moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms. They enter buildings through small cracks or openings around foundations, doors and windows. While not harmful, they are annoying, mostly because there is nothing you can do to get rid of them but wait. They won't infest your food, damage your property or attack your pets. They do seem to be very prolific this year, but that doesn't mean they will be so next year. No chemical control is necessary, and is probably futile. Just remember that they are harmless and temporary and will cease invading your home when the weather cools for good.

On another note-wasn't the Douglas County Fair great this year? Perfect weather always helps, but the Fair Board did a terrific job all around. While I was in the Horticulture/4-H/Farm Crop building for most of it, I truly enjoyed myself. The Alexandria Garden Club did a lovely job displaying all the Open Class floral entries. If you browsed the entries you may have secretly thought to yourself, "well mine is as good as that." Then you should get out there next year and enter something! It's very easy to do: when the Premium book comes out in July, make note of the class and lot that grow in your garden. Keep an eye on them and when the entry day comes, cut your flowers early in the morning, stick them in some water and get down to the fairgrounds. You first need to register yourself in the computer system, this year that was in the Johnson Building. That takes about 2 minutes, and then you go to the Horticulture building to turn in your registration and place your entries in the provided vases. It's very simple, and you'll pick up some tricks and pointers along the way. This was the first year I entered, and I entered three items. My Daylily didn't stay open through the night, so that was kind of embarrassing, having a closed up pathetic thing being judged. But my Hosta tardiana and Annabelle Hydrangea survived the judging process. I didn't get anything for my Hosta, but was awarded a red second place ribbon on my Annabelle. Not bad for the first time and now I'm prepared and excited and ready for next year!

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