What Are Those Bugs in My Yard??

Issue #155

21 Jul

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

⛅️ Columbia Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 85

😯 What Are Those Bugs in My Yard??

🍦 Celebrate National Ice Cream Day at Hattie Jane’s Creamery!

🎨 August 3: Denim Painting Class with the Homestead Porch

🎵 Today’s Live Music

📣 We Want To Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Sunday, July 21st

Monday, July 22nd

Tuesday, July 23rd

Wednesday, July 24th

Thursday, July 25th

Friday, July 26th

Saturday, July 27th

*More events to be listed soon! 

What Are Those Bugs in My Yard??

Did you see swarms of bugs appearing in your yard recently? A lot of Columbians did! There are two bugs swarming simultaneously right now. Here’s a look at what they actually are:

Cicada killers are large, intimidating wasps that often scare people due to their resemblance to giant hornets or yellow-jackets. However, they are solitary and generally non-aggressive, only stinging if handled directly. Most of the wasps seen are males patrolling their nesting areas. Although they may dive bomb or hover near people, males cannot sting. Females, who only sting if mishandled, do not defend their burrows.

These wasps may nest in groups but do not live socially. Female cicada killers typically dig burrows in well-drained, sunlit soil. These burrows consist of a main tunnel with several nursery cells where the female stores paralyzed cicadas for her larvae. The female captures cicadas, stings them to paralyze them, and drags them to the burrow. The larvae hatch and consume the cicadas over time, eventually emerging as adults the following year.

Control of cicada killers can be done by placing a small amount of insecticide dust in the burrow entrance or spraying the area for larger infestations.

June bugs, also known as May beetles, are scarab beetles that can be a nuisance. Adults are harmless but their larvae, known as white grubs, can damage gardens and lawns by feeding on plant roots. These beetles range from reddish-brown to almost black and emerge from the soil in late May or early June.

After mating, females lay eggs in the soil, which hatch into larvae. These grubs stay underground for several months, feeding on roots and causing damage that can prevent plants from absorbing water and nutrients properly. Heavy infestations can make lawns spongy and attract other pests like moles and raccoons.

While a small number of June bugs can help with soil aeration, excessive tunneling can harm lawns by disrupting the bond between roots and soil. For those who enjoy fishing, June bug larvae make excellent bait, providing a practical use for these otherwise troublesome insects.

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day at Hattie Jane’s Creamery! 🍦

Be the first 25 purchasing customers at every Hattie Jane’s Creamery location for a chance to win a tote bag full of goodies and a redeemable lucky ticket!

All shops will open at Noon today (Sunday), get there early to be in line for a swag bag! The Assembly Food Hall stall is participating, but opening at 11 AM.

August 3: Denim Painting Class with the Homestead Porch

In this class you will learn some creative denim painting techniques to paint flower patterns on denim. Teens are welcome and this is a beginner friendly project. You will need to bring your own "canvas"- a pair of non-stretchy jeans, jean shorts, vest, shirt or jacket. I recommend visiting local thrift stores to find your canvas.  

Paints and tools will be provided, along with snacks, sparkling waters, raffle prizes and goodie bags. 

Be prepared to model your painted piece at the end of class by wearing something that will coordinate with your denim piece!

About your teacher: Mariko is a former homeschool mom of three who currently helps homeschool her grandchildren. She is known to be a “Jill of all Trades”  but is especially passionate about teaching the lost arts of old fashioned homemaking skills. Currently she is writing and illustrating a family devotional book called “Lessons from the Garden”. She’s passionate about organic gardening and self sufficiency, is a beekeeper, healthy lifestyle advocate, professional musician and Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioner. But her favorite title of all is “Nana” to her six grandkids.

Check out more examples of Mariko’s denim painting work here.

🎵 Today’s Live Music 🎵

Sunday, July 21st

Carson Phillips, Amber Falls Winery, 1-5 PM
Dark Waters Project, The Tilted Mule, 3 PM
Cotton Cruz, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4-7 PM
Mary Lou, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Brandon Bartley, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 6-8 PM

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk