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staring at a campfire

staring at a campfire — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:30:09 GMT

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re: Why are lakes closed when Blue-green Algae blooms?

Jeff Konkol — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:50:04 GMT

No Jim I haven't. I'm flattered you think I'm worthy, but I'm just a guy who has made the outdoors my hobby. Thank you for reading O.A.L.

re: Why are lakes closed when Blue-green Algae blooms?

Jim Hayett — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:34:06 GMT

Jeff...have you ever been on Dan Small's Outdoor Wi show on the radio? If not, you should call him.

re: Mosquito / Spanish for little fly

Jim Hayett — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:23:01 GMT

Thanks Jeff...good advice!

re: Mosquito / Spanish for little fly

Jeff Konkol — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:38:27 GMT

Jim,

Sorry for the delay in answering. Much to do this time of year!

Electric Zappers

I have read that insect people (entymologists) claim bug zappers don't kill mosquitoes. Even the information in my blog above indicates mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide. All I can tell you is that my family has been using bug zappers in some form or another for around 30 years. When you get the air compressor out the next day to blow out the dead bugs, it sure looks to me like some are mosquitoes too.

There are some like this companies brand ( http://www.mosquitozapper.com/ ) that use "octenol" as a mosquito lure. (We currently have the BK-40)

A small octenol container attaches to the bottom of the Zapper, is heated by it's proximity to the bulb, and gives off a mosquito attracting scent. You have to keep buying replacement cartridges, but a small price to pay???

This company ( www.airdelights.com/insect_control.html ) also sells Zappers with extra "attractant packs"

If you are really serious about removing the pests, look into one of these propane powered units. ( www.sears.com/.../p_10153_12605_07187180000P )

I believe these emit carbon dioxide when operating, drawing in the mosquitoes to their doom.

There are even mosquito Vacuums that emit carbon dioxide, moisture, and heat to entice mosquitoes and other biting insects. ( http://www.mosquitobugtrap.com/ )

My personal opinion on this...

Even if you use a bug zapper, and it doesn't kill any mosquitoes, at least it is reducing the number of other insects so the birds and bats will have to eat the bloodsuckers!

-Jeff

re: Mosquito / Spanish for little fly

Jim Hayett — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:52:53 GMT

Jeff...do those electric zappers and other gas contraptions work on getting rid of those nasty mosquitoes?

re: Mosquito / Spanish for little fly

Jeff Konkol — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:34:51 GMT

Additional note:

This morning after work, (I work nights) I covered myself in DEET 30% and went to do some work clearing a trail in the woods.

I made it 1 hour before I was driven from the woods - covered in welts.

Deer flies don't seem to mind DEET!

Anyone have an idea how to keep biting flies away?

-J

re: Mosquito / Spanish for little fly

Tami Klink — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 23:03:05 GMT

Jeff,

Here's a tip that will probably get me into trouble... Since I have so many birdbaths, I gave up on keeping them free of mosquito eggs. This is what I've been doing the past few years. I put about 1/8 cup of bleach in them after replacing the water. I kind of keep any eye of them for 1/2 hour or so to keep the birds away. This takes care of any algae growth/stains and kills off any mosquito eggs. The birds seem to like it in that they spend up to 10 minutes splashing around. I think it helps them to get rid of any mites or parasites. Here come the wildlife hater comments....Nice job on the blogs!

re: So I was chasing carp down Wisconsin Ave. this morning, and this cop comes up to me

Jeff Blackwell — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:23:53 GMT

Jeff,

You are a font of natural knowledge and a great narrator to boot. Thanks for putting a whole new light on our recent weather for so many of us.

Great writing!

re: So I was chasing carp down Wisconsin Ave. this morning, and this cop comes up to me

Tami Klink — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:58:18 GMT

Oh my gosh Jeff! Did you have a fishing license? If you or those Public Works employees did not, watch out for a citation to be mailed to your home. After all, the Village will need some additional income since the tourist dollars are dwindling.... :)

re: So I was chasing carp down Wisconsin Ave. this morning, and this cop comes up to me

Jim Hayett — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:32:32 GMT

Jeff..I live near by so I saw the mess. Tough now for us fishermen.

re: So I was chasing carp down Wisconsin Ave. this morning, and this cop comes up to me

The Shoe Guy — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:33:54 GMT

I love that pic! But sad at the same time. My firends and I took a walk down to the fox river last night and boy is that thing full!

re: Thunderstorms can be Awesome!

Jeff Blackwell — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:20:44 GMT

Beautifully written, Jeff.

I'm extremely impressed with your meteorological knowledge, but it was your writing that held me.

I too have been mesmerized by the power of a gathering storm. Awesome is a word far overused, but it here it is absolutely appropriate.

A few summers ago, my young son and I stood motionless in our garage and stared at the "waves" of wind running across the trees, and the sky going light to dark and back again.

When my wife had been out, and when she arrived home she was very upset. "Didn't you know there was a tornado watch?" I felt foolish for exposing my young son to such danger, but it was a shared experience that he and I will always share.

re: Thunderstorms can be Awesome!

The Shoe Guy — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:56:10 GMT

Good blog I love thunderstorms. Something about the hard rain. Its so cool to watch. Not to get to off the blog. But I am going to turkey hunting the next two days in marquette county. Should be fun

re: What's so special about a campfire?

The Shoe Guy — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:42:17 GMT

I need to see if I can put a campfire in my backyard. Time to call the city. Thanks for the post by Tom Keith. Good read with some good facts!

See you 'round the campfire(I had to say it once)

re: What's so special about a campfire?

Jeff Blackwell — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:19:15 GMT

I always enjoy your blog, Jeff.

To me, the only thing more relaxing than staring into a campfire is watching the sun reflect off of moving water

Thanks for a relaxing moment!

re: Light Pollution

The Shoe Guy — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:18:39 GMT

Jeff thanks for the info on WE energies i didnt know about that.

re: Light Pollution

Sally Pla — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:14:34 GMT

I spent a month back in the winter of 1980 at the Jelm Mountain Observatory outside Laramie Wyoming (college exchange program thing). It's a little under 10,000 feet in elevation. The sky was like the richest, blackest, thickest velvet you have ever seen, and the stars like diamond pinpoints, so close you felt you could reach up and touch them. I have never seen a night sky anything like it since. I will never, ever forget it.

re: Light Pollution

Jeff Konkol — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:26:16 GMT

WE energies says:

Save money! Put in compact flourescents! Use energy star appliances!

What do we get for our effort? The second electric price hike in THREE MONTHS. Oh thank you WE!

www.jsonline.com/.../index.aspx

re: Light Pollution

Jeff Konkol — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:42:02 GMT

Too many lights in Waukesha also. You have to be a long way from any significant light source to see satellites...

Road Trip!