NW Houston will be sprayed tonight

This can’t be good for you.  If you’re in the area being sprayed, I’d stay in tonight.

Here’s a cut / paste of the email I received…

> Aerial Spray Operation Scheduled to Combat West Nile Virus
>
> Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) Mosquito
> Control Division has scheduled an aerial spray operation for portions of
> northwest Harris County to combat mosquito borne disease. The aerial
> application will begin Wednesday evening, July 15th after dusk and
> continue until approximately 4:00am. It is anticipated that the aerial
> operation will take only one night to complete. The plan for the
> proposed aerial operation is to spray approximately 100,000 acres by
> air, weather permitting..
>
> The insecticide, Dibrom (EPA-approved) , is routinely used for aerial
> operations to combat mosquito borne disease and will be used during the
> spray operation in Harris County. While Dibrom is considered to be safe
> for the environment, some people may be sensitive to direct contact with
> the chemical. HCPHES asks that individuals go indoors while the aerial
> treatment is being conducted in your area.
>
> The aerial spray operation is being conducted in response to recent
> surveillance findings indicating that West Nile Virus (WNV) activity has
> increased, especially in the northwest areas of Harris County. “This
> year’s mosquito season is unlike last year. Harris County is
> experiencing a very hot and dry year. This type of weather is conducive
> for increasing the risk for transmission of mosquito borne diseases such
> as West Nile Virus. As a result, there have been clusters of disease
> activity detected necessitating the need to implement the aerial
> treatment in the designated areas,” says Dr. Rudy Bueno, Director of
> HCPHES Mosquito Control.
>
> To date, West Nile Virus has been confirmed in 55 mosquito samples.
>
> Because of limited road accessibility in the northwest portions of the
> county, aerial spraying is necessary to combat and control mosquitoes
> carrying the virus where ground spraying (truck) is less accessible and
> effective.
>
> Vector Disease Control, Inc. (VDCI) of Greenville, Mississippi will be
> conducting the aerial spray operation. VDCI holds a contingency
> contract with Harris County to provide aerial application of adulticides
> (insecticide used against adult mosquitoes) on an “as-needed” basis.
>
> HCPHES continues to encourage residents to eliminate mosquito breeding
> habitats around their property. Remove or empty all outside containers
> that may hold water such as flowerpots, tires and toys. Bird baths and
> pet water bowls should be changed at least twice a week. Do not “feed”
> the storm drains. Sweep up lawn clippings, leaves and tree limbs from
> sidewalks and driveways and dispose of them properly.
>
> Practice personal protective measures to reduce the likelihood of being
> bitten by mosquitoes. When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing
> the active ingredient DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or
> IR3535 and apply as directed on the label. If possible, wear
> long-sleeved shirts and long pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are
> most active.
>
> Historically, July through September has been the peak timeframe for
> disease transmission to humans in Harris County.
>
> The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires notification to the
> public when aerial spray operations are to occur.
>
> For additional information and/or maps of West Nile Virus activity in
> Harris County, visit our web site at www.hcphes.org.
>
> (Dr. Rudy Bueno, Director of HCPHES Mosquito Control, will be available
> for media interviews from 10:00am – 1:00pm, Wednesday, July 15th at 3330
> Old Spanish Trail, Building D. If media are interested in interviewing
> the chief pilot from VDCI, please contact Sandy Kachur.)
>

We don’t have mice

We’ve had a rodent problem in the past.  Both rats and mice have tried to homestead here.  They are so gross.  The poop everywhere and chew through stuff.  I absolutely hate rodents.  So we’re on the lookout at all times for critters.

A couple of nights ago, hubby was up late and the house was quiet.  He kept hearing mice running around the kitchen.  He’d lurk in the kitchen trying to find what part they were hiding.  He opened cabinets and watched.  He lurked in the pantry.  But his spying found no results.  He finally found the source of the noise.  It was the garbanzo beans I was soaking overnight.  They were cracking / popping in the water and sounded just like mice running.

The next morning hubby had a few words for me.  We really laughed at his mice hunting adventure which turned out to be a bowl of beans.   Next time you soak beans and the house is quiet, don’t be alarmed if you hear mice!  It may be beans dancing.

Many of my friend reading have never soaked beans and cooked from dry.  You should give it a try.  They taste much better than canned and are such a good source of protein.