Easing into Fall

It'sssssssss comingggg..Thank God!  cooler nights, breezier days, football, school shopping, new TV episodes on the horizon and fewer creepy crawlers and flighty nippers!  I know insects are an integral part of life (my friend David reminds me often) but I'm not sure it's that integral in MY life!  As of late, I'm checking the yellow pages for a "cricket whisperer!"  He was spending some time in the photo closet and has since moved to my den. He obviously enjoys the same shows I do and was a vociferous fan during last night's Steelers/Colts game.  He was up most of the night and appears to be napping now:-)
Since moving to the "country", I've met more than my share of insect world members.  Deer flies are particularly attracted to us as are bees and mosquitoes.  Here are some friendly tips and insights from one of my favorite reference books (next to the dictionary that is), the Farmer's Almanac.

Bee Stings If you have a history of severe reactions to insect stings, call emergency medical services. If the stinger is still present, remove it immediately. Gently scrape the skin with a credit card, your thumbnail, or a blunt knife. Don't pinch the stringer with your fingers or tweezers because this could squeeze more venom into the skin. Apply ice or cold packs to constrict the capillaries and reduce swelling. Clean the area with soap and water and apply a hydrocortisone cream or a mixture of baking soda and water. If no other treatment is available, just scoop up a handful of mud and hold it on the sting until the mud dries or apply a slice of onion to the spot and hold it for a minute or so. Mosquito Bites Male mosquitoes feed only on nectar, whereas female mosquitoes nourish their developing eggs with protein rich blood. Mosquitoes prefer to bite ankles and wrists, where blood vessels are nearer to the skin's surface. Mosquitoes spit an anticoagulant under our skin, leaving us with whatever disease they're carrying (encephalitis, malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever). That's scary! Lemon Eucalyptus oil can be used to repel mosquitoes. Cool the area of the bite to constrict the capillaries near the skin's surface and reduce swelling. Try a cool compress. Remember not to scratch the bite; this will only make it worse. To eliminate the itch, rub on meat tenderizer or lemon juice. White vinegar is another remedy for relieving the itch of insect bites. Apply it in full strength. Don't use vinegar if the area is raw. I know most of you are not ready for fall and winter but we need some frosts and freezes to keep the bug cycle of life on track.  My favorite part of that cycle is the part where they die from the cold.  I can put on a sweater..... thankfully, they can't!