Recommendation to “Stop Feeding the Birds” is lifted

Today, the Ohio Division of Wildlife is lifting its previous recommendation to stop feeding birds. However, caution and vigilance are always necessary to help prevent further spread of diseases at bird feeders.

  • Reports of sick or dead birds possibly affected with the mysterious bird illness in Ohio have slowed considerably. A majority of birds reported with the illness were immature or fledgling birds, and the breeding season is now primarily over.
  • There is still no diagnosis on the cause of the mysterious bird illness. Research is ongoing at multiple labs.
  • Many other songbird diseases can be passed through feeding. It is important to keep feeders clean: use a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach, 9 parts water), rinse, and let dry at least once a week. Take a break (7-10 days) from feeding if you see sick or dead birds. This prevents birds from congregating and passing transmissible diseases.
  • Symptoms of diseases such as house finch eye disease and salmonellosis include reddish or crusty eyes, and neurological conditions such as poor balance and coordination.

The Division of Wildlife would still like reports of dead birds to be reported HERE.

If you find or observe a sick bird, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Keep up to date by visiting the Ohio Division of Wildlife HERE.

Fall Armyworms! Q&A

– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County OSU Extension

Fall armyworm damage can appear to simply be the affect of drought. Closer inspection is warranted.

We have had numerous reports of fall armyworm egg masses in lawns, pastures, and hayfields in Kentucky and Ohio beginning in mid-August and now significant damage is occurring from the caterpillars throughout the state. Therefore, we must keep a close watch on pastures, hayfields, lawns, and gardens over the next few weeks. There is enough time left before winter that another generation of moths could lay eggs, hatch, and consume exponentially more greenery that this generation is consuming right now. Whether you were aware of fall armyworms before or this is the first time you’ve heard of it, you likely have some questions. Let’s Continue reading

Through the Vine; the Fall, 2021 Newsletter is Posted

Find the Fairfield County Master Gardener, Fall 2021 newsletter, “Through the Vine” posted here in PDF format. Articles include:

  • Tapping Into Autumn’s Most Abundant Crop – Leaves
  • A message from our MG Coordinator, Connie Smith
  • Meet Carrie Brown – the new ANR Extension educator for Fairfield County
  • Fairy gardens at Wagnalls
  • What we can learn from flowers
  • A new fun sedum
  • Herbal recipes
  • Destinations; Wahkeena, Brookgreen Gardens, Pickerington Arboretum
  • Featured Book; The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly
  • Fall gardening for old folks
  • See what’s happening in and around the garden