Sunday, Jun. 08, 2008

Communities: 5 problems homeowners will encounter

Fire ants: If you’ve stepped in a fire ant mound and been bitten by a fire ant, you probably won’t forget it. The sting is painful and can cause medical problems. Fire ant control is a long-term commitment. There are two strategies recommended by Clemson Extension Service. The first includes a fire ant bait set out when they are foraging, following up with a mound treatment seven to 10 days later. The second involves applying granular insecticides over the entire area infested with fire ants.

Palmetto bugs: Palmetto bugs sound almost cute. Don’t be fooled — they’re just big cockroaches. They grow to about 1½ inches long and you’ll often see them scurrying across the sidewalk, front steps — even your living room. And these bugs can fly, too.

Mosquitoes: There are 50 types of mosquitoes in South Carolina, but the Asian tiger is the No. 1 daytime biter. Unlike many native mosquitoes, the Asian tiger does not breed in swamps or wet natural habitats. They breed in rain gutters, bird baths, flower pots, tires, barrels, etc. Control them by eliminating breeding sites. These mosquitoes, however, can fly several miles from breeding sites, so one abandoned house or trash-filled yard can breed mosquitoes to infest an entire neighborhood.

Kudzu: Kudzu has had a hold on the South for decades, since farmers began growing it as a crop, thinking it would work as livestock feed. It later was grown to combat soil erosion. By 1970, it was labeled a common weed. And by 1996, it covered about 7 million acres in the country. It’s believed to be the world’s fastest-growing vine, growing up to a foot a day.

Controlling kudzu is tough. One approach is to repeatedly cut back or mow the top growth during the growing season to gradually starve the plant. If you decide to use a herbicide, choose one that is labeled for controlling kudzu and apply it when kudzu is actively growing and is most vulnerable to its effects.

Clay and sand: If you live in the Midlands, you’ll have to get used to growing in sand or clay — two different types of soil with different needs.

Sand is easy to dig in, and it drains quickly. Unfortunately, nutrients and water can run right through it, so chances are you’ll need to amend it. That means adding organic matter — things such as mushroom compost, sewer sludge, chicken manure, hay and bark.

Clay is high in nutrients, especially iron. But it’s heavy, hard to work with and doesn’t drain well. Like sand, it needs to be amended with organic material.

— Megan Sexton

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