News from Wayne County
October 26, 2009
Millipedes and Malbs Invading
Warm weather tends to bring out nuisance insects. Millipedes and MALBS are two pests bugging people now.
Millipedes are the one to one and a half inch long, skinny, dark brown critters with numerous short legs. MALBS is our acronym for multicolored Asian ladybird beetles. Millipedes are often found crawling on the sides of homes or in basements. MALBS tend to be in higher areas such as the second floor of homes or on top of playground slides.
Millipedes are not insects or they would have six legs instead of numerous legs. They are related to invertebrates like snails. Millipedes are harmless. They feed on organic matter in moist places. Indoors they are often found coiled up and quite crunchy from a lack of moisture.
During fall, millipedes accidentally invade homes from nearby mulched plant beds or leaf piles. Because they crawl along the ground, they are usually found in lower floors and basements. Once inside the home, they die from a lack of moisture but can survive a little longer in moist basements. Overmulching and overwatering plants can lead to an increase in millipedes. Mulch layers placed around plants during summer should only be a few inches deep. Checking to see if the soil is dry before watering helps avoid overwatering.
To discourage millipedes, Barb Ogg, Extension Educator in Lancaster County, suggests removing mulch and dead vegetation next to the house. Outdoors, homeowners may wish to treat a 10 foot wide strip around the house as well as basement walls, window frames and door sills with an insecticide containing Carbamate. Read and follow all label directions for safe use.
The safest way to control millipedes inside the home is to step on them and vacuum or sweep them. Don’t overlook caulking and weather stripping to reduce the number of unwanted pests entering the home.
Our beneficial Asian ladybird beetle is also looking for overwintering sites. Unlike millipedes, MALBS tend to fly to high areas and are commonly found on upper floors. They overwinter in cliffs in their native settings and tend to be attracted to tall houses in open areas.
MALBS crawl into cracks and crevices of the home and a few to huge numbers may overwinter under siding or in wall voids. To reduce lady beetles inside the home, Ogg suggests sealing cracks and crevices with caulk, making sure window screens and doors fit tightly, and using weather stripping.
Once beetles are inside, Ogg says to not smash lady beetles as they can stain draperies and walls. Vacuuming lady beetles found indoors is recommended, along with a precaution. If large numbers of MALBS are sucked into the interior part of the vacuum cleaner, the vacuum will smell every time it is used. To prevent this, Ogg suggests inserting a knee-high nylon stocking into the hose wand to capture the beetles before they are sucked into the vacuum cleaner body. Insert the knee-high stocking into a connection joint in the wand so it forms a bag inside the hose and a portion of the stocking folds over the outside of the wand to secure it in place when the wand is put back together. After vacuuming, remove the stocking and dispose of the beetles.
Unless used correctly, insecticides have limited effectiveness against MALBS. Ohio State University Extension has done some research on spraying the exterior of homes to prevent these beetles from coming inside. Timing of treatment is extremely important. Too early and the chemical will lose its effectiveness. Too late and the lady beetles will already be inside. It would be impractical and nearly impossible to control them once they’re inside walls.
Keep in mind ladybird beetles are beneficial insects. Excluding them from entering the home is the more environmentally sound way to deal with them. However, if they mass and huge numbers enter the home, they can become more than a nuisance.
If needed, Ohio State University Extension suggests applying the correct insecticides to exterior siding, including around eaves, attic vents, roof overhangs, and doors and windows. Pre-test a small area to ensure the chemical treatment does not stain or discolor siding.
Wettable powder and microencapsulated formulations seem to be most effective against lady beetles. These formulations are not readily available to homeowners and it may be wise to hire a licensed pest control professional if ladybird beetles are to be treated with an insecticide.
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Source: Kelly Feehan, Extension Educator
NOVEMBER CALENDAR
2 Livestock Committee Meeting
8 Teen Supremes
9 Request District Award Information
11 Office Closed-Veterans Day observed
23 4-H Council
26-27 Office Closed-Thanksgiving
News from Wayne County
October 22, 2009
Early Communication Key for Child's Socialization
Early communication skills are important as infants grow up and seek to gain parents’ and other caregivers’ trust. This involves self-awareness and the ability to interact with others. Birth to 18 months is the prime time for emotional attachment, which helps the child to have self-awareness and security to feel free to keep learning new things.
When creating a social world for a child to grow up in, it is important to establish a nurturing and bonding with responsive primary caregivers which includes parent and childcare provider. Grandparents also can play a role in nurturing and bonding to help build the trust foundation toward developing a child’s social world. Overstimulation with too many new experiences and too much stimulation may stress and hinder development. This is really present when there is not consistency in scheduling with different caregivers.
At any early age – 1 or 2 years old – parents and caregivers need to be consistently involved in an infant’s life. This will help the child recognize a face and feel emotional bond. Also at the infant stage, parents should talk, make sounds, sing, play activities involving bright colors, different sounds, or mirrors, like peek-a-boo, for example. This helps the child learn to play and gives him or her an opportunity to develop knowing the difference between self and others.
When a parent first begins to talk with a child, it is important to use varied forms of communication. Singing a song, humming, laughing or using a different pitch level will all help build a child's understanding of all the different forms of communication.
As a child gets older, it is necessary for parents or older siblings to give them room to communicate. When asking a child a question, allow him or her five seconds or so to answer. That gives the child time to think about what he or she is going to say. Children generally will answer in that time frame. Parents and siblings usually answer the question for the child and don’t allow the child to learn to communicate. This is very good way to develop communication so children will be able to communicate better in society and at a early stage in life.
As children get older, parents should help set up play-dates with other children of the same age. This will help them learn social skills with other children they do not know. Remember at 1 to 2 years of age they may still be doing parallel play (playing next to another child, not with them). They need practice in taking turns, sharing, and cooperation, so don’t forget to be patient as you teach them these skills.
As children enter elementary school, parents should continue to keep helping their children with communication so they are able to socialize and communicate with other people. If necessary, arrange play activities for children so that they can continue to be watched. Guide them in communication with others. Remember children learn to socialize by watching their parents and how they communicate.
Sometimes a distance will grow in the communication between a child and a parent. To help with this, set aside a "talking time" with the child everyday.
Each individual child might have a different "talking time." For instance, some children will want to talk about their day right when they get home from school and others will talk during the car ride home from school or at a babysitters.
One of the best times is right before bed. Parents can create this by setting aside time early in a child's development.
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SOURCE: Gail Brand, extension educator
News from Wayne County
September 24, 2009
Help Children Cope With Stress
Many times when a child is acting out or misbehaving it is because the child is under a lot of stress. Children may not always know the best way to deal with that stress but parents can help.
A lot of stress for a child can come from an outside source such as a parent or a sibling. Parents should examine their own stress levels and find out if their own actions are causing more stress for their child. It is not uncommon for parents under a lot of stress to take frustrations out on their children. Children depend on their parents for emotional security. When parents are tense, upset and inattentive, it disrupts the flow of normal activities. This is the time when parents need to take a deep breath and take time to talk and listen to their kids.
Consider the child's diet or sleeping pattern. It is important for a child to have a consistent routine. Constant changes or inconsistency will create changes in the child's mood or attitude. Children are unable to handle stress when they are hungry, tired or not feeling good.
After identifying the source, talk with the child. It is important that children learn early that stress is a part of life that they will have to deal with. Don't try to solve all of children’s problems but listen and try to help work them through their situation.
People who are not ashamed to express fears, anxieties and sorrows, and seek help from others deal with crises more successfully. Children who learn this at a young age will be more likely to cope with stress as adults. Being able to discuss and vent angry feelings can help keep those feelings from creating more severe problems such as emotional difficulties, family violence or alcohol abuse.
The best thing a parent can do is acknowledge a child's feelings, for example, by saying, "I understand you are very angry." This opens the door for children to talk because it shows someone is willing to listen. A parent should not always feel like they have to advise, analyze or have all the answers. Helping a child to look at all the choices is a good way for children to learn to solve problems and relieve stress. This helps encourage a child and teaches him or her self-respect.
Show affection to the child by a hug or a simple touch. Sometimes even an extra-long hug can do wonders for a child's mood. The affection will help give a stressed out child a feeling of security.
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SOURCE: Gail Brand, Extension Educator
October Calendar
2 Champber Coffee Hosted by UNL Extension
3-4 Bring your pumpkin you grew to Pac 'N' Save for the Pumpkin Growing Contest
4 4-H Achievement Program, 5 PM
4-10 National 4-H Week
12 Columbus Day Observed-Extension Office Closed
News from Wayne County
September 8, 2009
Temperature And Storage Key Factors In Sack Lunches
With the start of school, parents will be making lunches for their children the night before school or the morning of. There are a few important tips to follow in ensuring a safe lunch.
-- Find out where the child can store a lunch during the morning. It is important to keep lunches away from heat sources like registers or window sills. If refrigeration isn't provided it's best if the lunch is stored somewhere that can stay cool like a locker or a rack above the coats.
-- There are other ways to keep food cool. Parents can pack juice containers that will act like an ice block and cool other items in the sack. Freezing gels also are available at many discount stores. These can be purchased and frozen overnight and placed in the container before sending the child off to school. The simplest route might be making the lunch the night before and keeping it in the refrigerator overnight, allowing it to be cold when used the next day.
-- Depending on microwave accessibility parents may consider sending their child with pre-packaged plastic containers of soup. If the soup is homemade, parents should heat up the soup at home and send it in a small thermos.
-- There are things that can be purchased that don't need to be cold. Certain packages of tuna allow for children to be able to open the container and mix a mayo packet with the tuna. Fruits and vegetables can be kept at room temperature. Different types of nutritious bars that can be bought and stored.
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SOURCE: Julie Albrecht, Ph.D., food specialist
News from Wayne County
August 21, 2009
Laughter Helps Reduce The Pressure When You Feel Stressed
When you're feeling stressed out, try laughing.
Laughing is one of the best ways to relieve stress. Many times when family members are stressed, their voices get louder and their bodies get more tense. Thinking of something funny and laughing with family releases that pressure. When the whole family has a good laugh, it's a great feeling.
When you are stressed you tend to look at everything in a negative way. To counter that, you need to focus on the positive.
If life is tough right now and you're thinking about all the things you want to do but are unable to do, realize there are many things you can do. Playing a game together, going for a picnic or a walk or even playing in the rain will be a pick-me-up.
Think how surprised children will be when they see their parents laughing in the rain.
Service work is another good family activity. If you're in a stressful situation, you'll find that helping someone else will make you feel better. You will find that your kids will be excited to help other people.
Stress affects everyone so it is important to look at ways to deal with it. Make sure to include the family when dealing with stress. You'll be amazed what happens when you get the family together and start talking.
Additional Nebraska Extension resources to meet today's challenges are available at the UNL Managing Tough Times Web site at http://www.toughtimes.unl.edu. New videos with ideas for families and communities are available at http://toughtimes.unl.edu/n-touch.
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SOURCE: Gail Brand, Extension Educator
August 28-September 7 Nebraska State Fair
4 Chris Clover Applications and Record Books due to Organizational Leaders
7 Labor Day Observed, Extension Office closed
11 State Fair entries may be picked up at the Extension Office
11 County Award Applications, Record Book Summaries, Final Enrollments, and Club of Excellence Summaries are due to the Extension Office
13 Norfolk Meat Animal Expo
21 4-H Council and County Awards Judging
22-27 Ak-Sar-Ben, Omaha
News from Wayne County
June 23, 2009
Consequences Can Teach Responsibility
Of the many ways to discipline children, parents can choose the ones that suit them as individuals and that fit their beliefs and values. Allowing children to experience the consequences for their behaviors is one discipline method.
This hassle-free way to discipline children allows them to learn from experiences, just like adults. It’s called “learning the hard way.” Children learn that every act has a consequence, and they learn to be responsible.
Misbehavior is a normal part of growing up. No child is good all of the time. However, if a child has severe behavior problems, such as repeated acts of violence, discipline methods may not work, and professional help may be needed.
Here are facts on discipline involving consequences:
-- Using consequences as a discipline method helps children learn to take responsibility for their behavior.
-- Consequences must be logically related to the misbehavior.
-- The child must see the relationship between misbehavior and the consequence, or it will not work.
-- The child must know that there is a choice when logical consequences are used.
-- Use consequences in a firm, kind and friendly manner.
-- Time-outs work well when children quarrel and fight.
-- Call time-outs in a firm, calm voice.
-- Calling a time-out instead of punishing makes for a happier atmosphere in the home.
-- Take a child to Think Space, a place where they can talk about what is bothering him or her. It helps children think about solutions and take responsibility for their own behavioral choices.
-- A reverse time-out means that the parents isolate themselves from the child instead of isolating the child.
Finally, parents should tell the child, before it happens, what the consequences are for breaking a rule. If the child knows the consequences of not getting to the dinner table in time to eat with the family, then the child has a choice — whether to get there in time and eat, or to be late and not eat. Children must understand that they have choices and must accept the consequences of their choices.
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SOURCE: Gail Brand, Extension Educator
News from Wayne County
April 23, 2009
Put Laughter And Humor In Your Life
Research shows that stress can be physically dangerous. Stress can trigger higher levels of the hormone cortisol in the bloodstream. This can increase blood pressure, blood sugar and heart rate and decrease the body’s immune responses. The good news is research suggests that laughter and humor can lower cortisol levels and stimulate the immune system, which can counteract the debilitating effects of stress.
Humor can be used to reinterpret stressful events. Everyone enjoys a good hearty laugh. It makes people feel good, and that feeling can stay with them even after the laughter subsides. It’s difficult to think clearly in the throes of a stressful situation. Regretful decisions can be made based on the emotion of the moment. If people allow themselves to laugh when they are stressed, that laughter can enable them to step back and gain new perspective. Perspective gives people an opportunity to look at a stressful situation with increased objectivity and insight and not cloud thought processes with confusion.
While stressors can create friction within the family and disrupt relationships, humor and laughter rebuild and unify those relationships. It binds people together and lightens burdens. Laughter and appropriate humor can be caring and empathetic. It can invite others to share in the moment and create an environment or rapport between people in a relationship, whether in a personal or work situation.
In addition to acting as an antidote to stress, laughter and humor can emotionally bond people together and demonstrate support and acceptance. It can create new ways of thinking and adapting to stressors and can improve one’s physiological, emotional and mental well-being. A hearty laugh can massage every organ in the body, including the heart and lungs. Laughter also can release endorphins, natural chemicals in the body that cause feelings of elation or happiness when released.
Here are ways to enhance a sense of humor and enjoy some belly-laughs:
-- Remember to have fun. When the going gets tough, just repeat "Life is crazy" or "It’s OK to be foolish on occasion."
-- Head off stress with regular doses of humor. Remember, a shot of humor is like a dose of medicine; the effects linger, dissipating gradually over several hours. Create your own humor library by clipping funny cartoons, pictures and getting cards. Post them where they can be seen and enjoy a chuckle.
-- Rent or collect funny videos. Learn what tickles the funny bone. Some people like slapstick humor while other prefer subtle humor. It will be easy to choose movies when the type of humor appreciated is known.
-- Make a silliness check at 4:30 in the afternoon. People around a person need to see his or her smile, whether at home or work. Laughter is contagious -- when a person is happy and laughing, it rubs off on others. A well-developed sense of humor is essential to avoid burnout for people who are teachers, doctors, educators, nurses, counselors, farmers, ranchers and many other occupations. It’s also essential for parents.
-- Lighten up and learn to laugh at oneself. Work should be taken seriously, but don’t take yourself so seriously. View would-be calamities through the eyes of a favorite comedian.
-- Laugh at yourself, laugh at situations, but don’t put down loved ones and friends. Sarcasm and putdowns are two types of humor that don’t enhance a person’s health and don’t strengthen a family.
Remember, life is full of stressful situations. The choice to see humor in everyday situations is healthful and helpful. Learn to appreciate the power of laughter. It will lighten the attitude and the day.
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SOURCES: Maurine Roller, extension educator; Kathy Bosch, Ph.D., retired extension family life specialist; John DeFrain, Ph.D., extension family and community development specialist
News from Wayne County
April 30, 2009
Children Learn About Money By Using Money
Research has shown that children learn the most about money from their parents. They watch parents spend or save money every day. They also hear their parents talk about money directly or indirectly. Children also learn about money by using it themselves.
Children see what their parents and older adults do with money and they start to understand how their parents feel about it. In turn, this influences how children feel about money. Do parents spend all their money before it’s earned? If so, this may make it hard to teach children about limited resources, planning for spending and the value of saving. Or do parents save every cent they earn? This attitude may make it hard for children to see that money is a tool, not a goal in and of itself, and can make it difficult for children to spend even for necessities.
It’s important to discuss the family’s financial situation with children at a level appropriate for their age. Encourage children to participate in family financial discussions. Communicate about money one-on-one as the opportunity comes up. Help children understand they need to buy things they need before things they want.
When talking about money and saving with children, encourage them to set goals that can realistically be reached in the near future. For example, saving money for a new camera is more realistic than saving for retirement at a young person’s age because retirement is so far in the future. Remember, kids live in the present.
Also, be reassuring when talking to children about money. If they discover the house they live in is not completely paid for, they may worry. Assure them the family is able to make the monthly payments and they will not be out in the street by morning.
Ideas for actual activities to be done with children to help them learn about using money are described below. Choose activities that are appropriate for the child’s age and interests:
-- Play store. Use play money and price a variety of items to help children practice using money.
-- Make three banks from jars, boxes or other containers. One bank would be for money to share, a second for cash to spend and a third for savings.
-- Develop a simple savings plan for something they wish to buy. Create a storybook with younger children. Ask them to draw a picture of something they want to buy. On the next page, ask them to draw the amount of money they think it will take to buy the item. On the third page have them draw how they are going to find the money they need. On the final page, have them draw something that shows when they actually will be able to buy the item they want.
-- Comparison-shop together for an item they want to buy or for a major item for the family.
-- Allow children to make simple cash transactions at the store. Talk about the experience when they are done.
