Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Tips (10/8/02)

Note to Editors: These ideas are provided by Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. You may use them as written or contact us for more information. If you wish to include a contact for the public, please direct them to the Colorado State Cooperative Extension office listed in the county government section of the local phone book.

Fall-planted bulbs and corms

Selecting bulbs and corms

The earlier bulbs and corms are purchased in the fall, the better the selection. There is a direct correlation between bulb size and flower size, so select the largest bulbs of a variety. Plant the bulbs in a place with adequate sunlight to regenerate strong bulbs. A southern exposure, especially when close to the foundation of a building, may cause the bulb to come up early, making it susceptible to an early freeze. Provide drainage so the bulbs do not stand in water. Finally, a solid block of one color is more impressive from a distance than a mixture of colors and varieties. For more information on bulb selection, visit www.ext.colostate.edu, click on publication, then fact sheets, then gardening and look for Fact Sheet No. 7.410, "Fall-planted bulbs and corms."

Planting and growing fall bulbs

September and October are the best months for planting bulbs because they can become well rooted before the ground freezes. Plant bulbs according to their planting chart. As a general rule, this depth is four times the height of the bulb from the soil surface to the tip of the bulb. Plant the bulbs with the growing tip up. After the ground freezes, cover the bed with 3 inches of mulch to prevent alternate freezing and thawing that breaks roots and damages bulbs. Apply one-quarter pound per 100 square feet of fertilizer before the foliage of the plants wither. Remove flowers as soon as they wither. After the foliage has withered completely, the bulb is dormant. After the second year, the developing bulbs will begin to crowd one another, and they will not grow as vigorously. Dig the bulbs in late August and allow them to dry for a few days in a shady, cool spot. Replant only the ones that look the best. It is possible to interplant annuals among the withering bulb tops. However, do not remove the bulb tops until they are dead. For more information on bulb selection, visit www.ext.colostate.edu, click on publication, then fact sheets, then gardening and look for Fact Sheet No. 7.410, "Fall-planted bulbs and corms."

Firewood and house log insects

Common firewood and house log insects

Hundreds of different species of insects can live in our native trees. However, the most common belong to a few basic groups: roundheaded and flatheaded wood borers, bark beetles, carpenter ants and powderpost and anobiid beetles. Only a few species of bark beetles cause problems in firewood and may later infest healthy trees. The most troubling of these insects are the mountain pine beetle and elm bark beetle, which kill large numbers of trees in forests. For more information on firewood and house log insects, visit www.ext.colostate.edu, click on publications, the fact sheets, then insects and look for Fact Sheet No. 5.563, "Firewood and house log insects."

Don’t mistake wood borers for termites

Wood borers frequently infest firewood and house logs, but they tend to be more of a nuisance than a threat to your home. Many people mistake wood borers for termites because their digging also produces sawdust. However, wood borers don’t find furniture, wall framing or other seasoned woods suitable for an attack. Despite producing what may seem like great quantities of dust, borers rarely tunnel extensively enough to cause structural failure. Adult borers found inside the home may look ominous and pinch the skin if handled but are not dangerous. For more information on firewood and house log insects, visit www.ext.colostate.edu, click on publications, the fact sheets, then insects and look for Fact Sheet No. 5.563, "Firewood and house log insects."

Powderpost and anobiid beetles in Colorado

Although powderpost and anobiid beetles are not common in Colorado, if they infest structural wood and furniture, it can be serious. Native species of these beetles do occur naturally in dead tree limbs and dry, seasoned wood. However, problems with these insects in Colorado appear to be associated with the introduction of infested wood products from Eastern states. Fresh piles of fine sawdust and small round holes are possible signs of infestation. For more information on powderpost and anobiid beetles, visit, www.colostate.edu, click on publications, then fact sheets, then.

Termites in Colorado

Many people worry about transporting termites from firewood into their home. However, Colorado termites nest underground and rarely infest firewood and timber products; when they do, they do not produce sawdust. Occasional termites found in this wood are usually not considered a problem because they are not in the reproductive stages. This means that termites that happen to be in the wood die without laying eggs and causing further infestation. Termites quickly dry out and die once inside homes, which usually have low humidity in Colorado. For more information on firewood and house log insects, visit www.ext.colostate.edu, click on publications, the fact sheets, then insects and look for Fact Sheet No. 5.563, "Firewood and house log insects."

Asian longhorned beetle

An exotic wood borer, the Asian longhorned beetle from China is a potential imported threat to Colorado’s trees. It develops and is imported in crates and other heavy wooden packing material from Asia. Where it shows up, the beetle seriously damages shade trees, requiring their removal. The Asian longhorned beetle is a threat only to deciduous trees, such as maples and poplars. It is confused with at least two common, relatively harmless borer species native to Colorado, both in the genus Monochanus This confusion leads to unnecessary concern. Our native "look alikes" develop in pines and other conifers, typical Colorado firewood species. For more information on firewood and house log insects, visit www.ext.colostate.edu, click on publications, the fact sheets, then insects and look for Fact Sheet No. 5.563, "Firewood and house log insects."

Firewood and house log insect control

It is uncomfortable to watch what may seem like harmful insects infest your firewood, but in reality wood-boring bugs speed up the drying process of wood, which makes it burn better. Firewood insects do not normally harm people, household furnishings or plants. Storing firewood outside until it is needed limits the number of insects that get into a home. Colder weather also slows their development. The occasional insects that do manage to get inside can be controlled by vacuuming. To limit firewood insect infestations, stack wood so that air flows through the pile. When choosing firewood, choose trees that have been dried for at least one year or that have noticeably loose bark to avoid wood already infested with insects. Firewood insects in small log piles in a sunny area can be killed if the pile is covered with a clear plastic tarp. A more difficult but highly effective means of killing most firewood insects is to remove the bark. Debarking also prevents re-infestation and speeds drying. Insecticidal fumigants are not available for general use on firewood, but insecticide sprays that kill the insects as they enter or emerge from wood are available. These sprays do not kill insects already in the wood but can prevent them from moving to healthy plants or re-infesting the wood. For more information on firewood and house log insects, visit www.ext.colostate.edu, click on publications, the fact sheets, then insects and look for Fact Sheet No. 5.563, "Firewood and house log insects."

Preventing carbon monoxide problems

What is carbon monoxide?

You cannot see or smell carbon monoxide (CO), but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide is produced whenever a fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. A properly functioning burner, whether natural gas or petroleum gas, has efficient combustion and produces little carbon monoxide. However, an out-of-adjustment burner can produce life-threatening amounts of carbon monoxide without any visible warning signs. Hundreds of Americans die accidentally or are harmed to some degree every year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. For more information on carbon monoxide, visit www.colostate.edu, click on publications, then fact sheets, then consumer/family and look for fact sheet No. 9.939, "Preventing carbon monoxide problems."

Common sources of carbon monoxide in homes

A blocked chimney, rusted heat exchanger or broken chimney flue prevent harmful gases from leaving the home. Carbon monoxide can enter the home from an idling car or from a lawnmower or generator engine operating in the garage. Carbon monoxide is produced by gas stoves and ranges and can become a problem with prolonged, improper use. Un-vented, fuel-burning space heaters and indoor use of a charcoal barbeque grills are also common sources of carbon monoxide. For more information on carbon monoxide, visit www.colostate.edu, click on publications, then fact sheets, then consumer/family and look for fact sheet No. 9.939, "Preventing carbon monoxide problems."

Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms

The first symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu but without the fever. They include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. If you experience any of these symptoms and if you feel better when you go outside your home and the symptoms reappear when you go back inside, you may have carbon monoxide poisoning. If you experience symptoms that you think might be from carbon monoxide poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows, turn off gas burning appliances and leave the house. Go to an emergence room and tell the physician you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. For more information on carbon monoxide, visit www.colostate.edu, click on publications, then fact sheets, then consumer/family and look for fact sheet No. 9.939, "Preventing carbon monoxide problems."

Prevention is the key

Proper installation, operation and maintenance of gas appliances in the home are most important in reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. At the beginning of every heating season, have a trained professional check all you fuel-burning appliances. Make sure that the flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition and not blocked. Whenever possible, choose appliances that vent fumes to the outside. If you cannot avoid using an unvented gas or kerosene space heater, carefully follow the precautions that come with the device. After taking steps to prevent carbon monoxide in the home, installing a carbon monoxide alarm in the home can be a useful way to detect the harmful gas in the event that it enters your home. When selecting a carbon monoxide alarm, make sure it meets the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories or International Approval Service. For more information on carbon monoxide, visit www.colostate.edu, click on publications, then fact sheets, then consumer/family and look for fact sheet No. 9.939, "Preventing carbon monoxide problems."