Tiny Bugs with a BIG Bite!

I’m going to take a moment to vent too ….. I happen to be one of the folks who can’t enjoy the outdoors right now around my home because of all of these tiny, black bugs that bite like the dickens! I get welts from them. My colleague Jody Green braved a “probing” just so we could get the great photo below!

If you are one of the folks suffering from the bites of minute pirate bugs (they look like a black dot on your arm – you may not see the markings as you squish it), here’s an article from one of our Nebraska Extension colleagues Jonathan Larson. Bottom line: There’s not much you can do. Cover up. Try a repellent or baby oil on the skin. Wait for a hard freeze…. oh, and they are beneficial, really – they are … read on —- Soni

Minute pirate bug probing Jody Green’s arm with its piercing-sucking mouthpart at the front of its head. Photo by Dr. Jody Green, Extension Educator Urban Entomology.

Minute Pirate Bugs: Tiny Bugs with a Bite!
Dr. Jonathan L. Larson, Nebraska Extension
September 19, 2016

Arrr! It is national talk like a pirate day today and it’s truly fitting as we are also receiving the first reports of problems with minute pirate bugs. These bugs get their minute moniker because as adults they are only about 1/8 inch long. Adults are oval-shaped, have a black body with an off-white/brown bar across their back and white diamond on their wing tips. As nymphs they are an orange hue and lack wings, they actually resemble their cousin the bed bug a little bit. Worldwide, there are over 500 species of minute pirate bug but we mainly deal with only one species in this area, the insidious flower beetle (Orius insidiosus).

16 Tips For Cutting Family Food Expenses

I am always looking for ways to save money! One of my goals is reduce food waste. Anything that looks close to expiring, I use. I freeze fresh produce if I think it it might expire. Did you know you can freeze tomatoes with the skins on? I’ve used this technique many times and those tomatoes are delicious in stews, chili and soups – especially in winter! (Directions: http://food.unl.edu/freezing-raw-tomatoes-or-without-their-skins)

Enjoy this blog post from the Nebraska Extension Learning Child Team and share your money-saving tips!

Have a great day! Soni

The Learning Child Blog

Does your lettuce turn to mush? Mushrooms start to grow fuzzy? Do your bananas blacken before your family can eat them? In the US, the average family of four, loses $1,500 each year to food it has to throw out. This is like tossing one bag out of every four purchased at the grocery store.

Food is a necessary expense but there are ways to save money. Check out these tips!

1. Use a Grocery List

Keep a grocery list where it’s easily accessible, such as on the fridge, and take it with you to the grocery store. Always shop with a list. Stick to your list for added savings, but do stay flexible if you encounter a sale. Gas for an extra trip to the store easily can add a dollar or more to your grocery bill. And the less you shop, the less likely you’ll buy something on impulse.

Examples:

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The October 2016 Issue of the NEBLINE is on-line!

The October issue of the free NEBLINE newsletter is now on-line. Visit http://lancaster.unl.edu/nebline and click on the link to the October 2016 NEBLINE!

Here are some of the articles featured in this issue – – – –

• Legends of the Fall: Accidental & Occasional Invaders
• Pest Management for Invaders
• Can You Eat Your Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin?
• Mini Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Muffins Recipe
• Perfectly Pumpkin Whole Wheat Pancakes Recipe
• Makeover Your Leftovers – Nov 10 at Bryan Health East Campus (Local program)
• Fall Control of Marestail
• Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines (Ages Birth to 5) for Childcare Providers, Parents & Caregivers
• If You Care, Leave it There! Should You Attempt to Rescue Sick or Injured Wild Animals?
• Growing Hardy Bulbs
• Fall Windbreak Site Preparation and Ordering Seedlings
• Tree Seedlings through the NRD
• New Nutrition and Health Educator, Alyssa Havlovic
• Marlo Yakel Receives the October Heart of 4-H Award
• 4-H Information Night Oct 6, 6 p.m. in Lincoln (Local program)
• Thank you 4-H Sponsors, Rabbit Clinic; Nebraska State Fair 4-H Results
• Emerald Ash Borer Seminar November 5 in Lincoln, Nebraska (Local program)
• Deadline for Extension Board Applications – Nov 1

If you don’t live in Lancaster County, Nebraska, please make sure to check out your local extension office too. Your extension office has resources for you, your family and community. To find your local office, visit http://lancaster.unl.edu/office/locate.shtml (nationwide listing).

Have a great day!!

Soni

Responsive. Innovative. Trusted.
Nebraska Extension provides research-based information to help you make informed decisions any time, any place, anywhere –

Grilling Fruits and Vegetables

I love using my grill especially in the fall! Enjoy these tips on grilling fruits and vegetables from the Nebraska Extension Cook it Quick blog!

Have a great day!!

Soni

Responsive. Innovative. Trusted.
Nebraska Extension provides research-based information to help you make informed decisions any time, any place, anywhere –

Cook It Quick!

Want to get your family to eat more fruits and vegetables? Try grilling them!

The heat from the grill caramelizes the natural sugars in fruits and vegetables, giving them a tasty and sweeter flavor.

I had the opportunity to visit with a representative from Weber grills who is coming to my hometown — Lincoln, Nebraska — to show their new Husker-themed grills at the Nebraska-Oregon football game. Their Chef and Grill Specialist Tyler Selhorst will be on hand to talk about grilling and tailgating tips.

Grilled meat is the first food that usually comes to mind for tailgating and grilling. To round out the meal with more foods from the grill, I asked Weber for some tips for grilling fruits and vegetables.

Grilling Fruit

Grilling fruit (Image courtesy of Weber grills)

Here are some general tips for grilling fruits from Weber.

1. First preheat your grill for 10-15 minutes and then brush…

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Be Nice, Don’t Give Me Head Lice

Mention the word head lice and you will hear the parents in the room groan. Talk a little longer and someone is bound to start scratching their head. I seem to have that effect on people. The feeling that overcomes an individual who has had experienced head lice is usually one of stress and frustration. Battling these blood-sucking insects can be laborious, time-consuming and at times, a never-ending nightmare. Summer has come to an end and a new school year has begun. Bring on the teachers, pencils, friendships, books and…head lice?

Female human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis. (Photo: Gilles San Martin)

Why do the incidences of head lice correlate with the return to school?

Believe it or not, head lice are rarely transmitted in schools. Although cases spike after extended periods away from school such as summer vacation, they are most often transmitted among close friends, cousins, siblings and other relatives during events such as sleepovers, camps, and extended visits. The discovery occurs when children return to school, but seldom does it get spread on school property*.

*Transmission activities that may occur that can be the source of transmission in childcare, preschool and elementary school.