Author |
Message |
Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 7:04 am
(I thought we could use a misc. thread like this.) The Home Builders Association has learned from a contact at Louisiana State University the following: “If you use mulch around your house, be very careful about buying mulch this year. After the hurricane in New Orleans many trees were blown over and they have been turned into mulch. The State is trying to get rid of tons and tons of this mulch to any State or company who will come and haul it away. This mulch will be showing up everywhere at dirt cheap prices with one huge problem: Formosan Termites will be the bonus in many of those bags. New Orleans is one of the few areas in the country where the Formosan Termite has gotten a strong hold and most of the trees blown down were already badly infested with those termites. Now we may have the worst case of transporting a problem to all parts of the country that we have ever had. These termites can eat a house in no time at all and we have no good control against them.” If you want to read more, the website is: www.agctr.lsu.edu/termites/
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Jagger
Member
08-07-2002
| Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 11:37 am
Julie thanks for the story. I would also copy this story in the home and garden area now that spring is coming around and people will be working outside.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 11:47 am
That's a good idea. I think you are the only one to have found this anyways.
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Suz
Member
10-13-2005
| Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 12:25 pm
Julieboo, good information. My dd sent it to me also. Sure don't want these termites started here.
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Ddr
Member
08-19-2001
| Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 2:12 pm
I heard today that the Lowe's near me has some of the mulch in question.
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Max
Moderator
08-12-2000
| Friday, March 10, 2006 - 9:13 pm
Sorry, but this is a myth. There was an article debunking it in the paper today (they didn't print the original piece because they were actually doing some fact-checking, which I pretty much figured newspapers had given up on these days!). Anyway, here's part of what it says on Snopes: Whatever the actual risk of termites turning up in mulch might be, however, the fact remains (and is the key to the "False" rating here) that — contrary to the warning expressed above — major home improvement chains such as Home Depot and Lowes are just about the safest outlets from which to buy mulch. Major retailers are generally much more aware and observent of quarantines, and they typically sell mulch in packages that identify their point of origin. Additionally, a representative of the Home Depot chain of home improvement stores informed us that they don't sell mulch from suppliers in the New Orleans area: "The Home Depot does not use any mulch suppliers from the New Orleans area. We have very strict policies and procedures in place to ensure the integrity of the mulch products sold in our stores. In fact, all our mulch suppliers are required to be certified by the Mulch and Soil Council (MSC), who created the industry standards and criteria for mulch and soil certification and inspection. You can find the MSC certification on the back of every bag. " Of course, no quarantine can be absolutely 100% effective, and there is always some chance, however small, that termites (and other pests) could turn up in mulch produced just about anywhere at any time, so consumers are always advised to be careful. Inspect every bag of mulch you purchase, and if you find insects in any of them, return them to the point of purchase.
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Cndeariso
Member
06-28-2004
| Friday, March 10, 2006 - 9:52 pm
yep, it's a myth. we have had articles about it here in the newspaper and the county extension agent has fielded hundreds of calls.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 3:04 am
I posted that it was a myth in the other thread too.
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Clutterfree
Member
10-24-2003
| Friday, March 24, 2006 - 2:31 pm
I know we have a place for the loss/passings of beloved pet companions, and a place for loss of celebrities in our midst, but do we have a place for personal human loss? My beloved Aunt Jan (I am her namesake), mother's only sister, died Thursday March 23rd at 9:30 EST, 6:30 AM Pacific time, at age 89, at home under hospice care, with her dog Holly curled by her side. It's like losing part of my mother....not sure where to post this.
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Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Friday, March 24, 2006 - 2:37 pm
Clutter, my prayers are with you, your family and Holly. Some people don't understand that a person's death can be as traumatic for pets as it is for people.
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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Friday, March 24, 2006 - 2:39 pm
Clutterfree, I've moved your post under Getting To Know You, A Caring Place. I'm so sorry about Aunt's passing!
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Jimmer
Moderator
08-30-2000
| Friday, March 24, 2006 - 2:45 pm
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you. The thread that Vacanick referred to is located here: Community Corner: A Caring Place
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Chewpito
Member
01-04-2004
| Friday, March 24, 2006 - 2:49 pm
Im so sorry Clutter, Im sending good thoughts. I hope that someone will take in little Holly and love her as she was proubly your aunts best friend.. I know my pups are my most loyal friends and if I went they would stand gaurd over me till someone came...Most dogs are so very attached that they do suffer the loss only most people push them to the side in the mania of it all...remember to keep your aunts buddie in good care and loved, that would be a gift to your aunt in this time because im sure her little friend was on her mind...
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Clutterfree
Member
10-24-2003
| Friday, March 24, 2006 - 3:54 pm
Thanks, guys...Chewpito, Holly is all set: she will move in next door with another dog she already knows; in fact I am sure she is there now...many thanks to Julie, David, and daughter Allison for not only taking care of my aunt, but of her dog after her passing.
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Friday, March 24, 2006 - 7:53 pm
(((Clutterfree))) I am so sorry for your loss.
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Cndeariso
Member
06-28-2004
| Monday, March 27, 2006 - 9:49 am
TIPS FOR AVOIDING IDENTITY FRAUD • Have bills sent to you online. Many companies will bill you online, allowing you to reduce incoming mail. Also, mail payments at a post office or postal drop box. • Ask questions when someone wants your Social Security number or mother's maiden name. Ask how that personal information will be stored and used. Ask if another identifying number or code may be used. • Shred old bills and other account information. Also, secure your mailbox so it's less vulnerable to theft. • Check your accounts regularly. Review statements and check your credit reports at least every six months. • Watch your computer. If you conduct your banking online, limit the number of people who use that computer. Don't download files from unknown sources; they may contain spyware that could capture passwords. • Cut down on the credit cards in your wallet. Also, sign the back of credit cards with permanent magic marker. Leave your Social Security card in a secure place like a safe or bank deposit box. • Don't respond to unsolicited e-mails regarding your accounts. The same goes for phone calls. • Don't share passwords or PINs. Change passwords every three months. • Remember that not every promotion is legitimate. Crooks sometimes pose as representatives of a business to get access to your personal information. • Pick up your checks at the bank. Don't have them mailed to your home.
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Nino
Member
09-20-2004
| Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 4:55 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Clutterfree. I had a very special Aunt who was very important to me, so I can feel your loss. Bless the neighbors for adopting Holly. Juanita
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Clutterfree
Member
10-24-2003
| Saturday, April 01, 2006 - 12:03 am
Wish one of you could lend me your nose so I could figure out where this funky smell is coming from! Late night, tired, and I keep circling the room sniffing. Since it had a faint burnt? smell maybe I have been touching all walls and cords and appliances to see if anything hot. Also emptied an old cat litter box (organic grass pellets) to see if that was involved. It's been "hot" (70's) outside the past few days and this 2nd floor room gets the majority of sun, so felt like something in here was heating up and smelling. Oh, could I use a second opinion at a time like this. I will be gone all day tomorrow, Monday first chance to have someone come smell with me. Just stymied and a little anxious about it. Last time something like this happened it was a stronger smell and definitely burnt and I had firemen crawling all over my attic and into crawl spaces only to discover my duplex neighbor had burned a pan of potpourri on the stove. The smell had traveled up attic....anyway, probably just venting here...not sure what anyone can do to help!
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Lucy
Member
10-08-2002
| Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 5:22 pm
My son needs some help with a poll he's taking for his high school community service project. He chose illiteracy as his area of study. The poll consists of 10 quick questions about illiteracy. Thanks for your help. http://www.misterpoll.com/3462560384.html
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 5:26 pm
Ok, Luce, I participated!
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Lucy
Member
10-08-2002
| Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 5:41 pm
Thanks so much, Herc! He needs 100 responses!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 5:42 pm
He had ten when I participated. 
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 5:42 pm
C'mon, gang!!!
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Wendo
Member
08-07-2000
| Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 5:48 pm
Done!
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Mak1
Member
08-12-2002
| Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 5:52 pm
I can participate, but I really don't have much knowledge of his topic outside of our small community. Does he want people to answer with total guesses? If so, I'll do it.
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