West Michigan's Morning News
Spiders and Snakes - A Gardening Simplified Preview
You slept through your alarm, missed the train, and your breakfast sandwich. Ugh. Cool. Sounds like you could use some luck. I'm Victoria Cash, and Luckyland is where people go every day to get lucky. At Luckyland, you can play over 100 casino-style games for free for your chance to redeem some serious prizes. Go to Luckylandslots.com and get lucky today. No purchase necessary, VGW Group, void we're prohibited by law, 18-plus terms and conditions apply. Well, it's time for us to switch some gears. We've been heavy on the budget and the debate last night, and it's time for us to welcome once again our friend Rick Weiss. This is West Michigan's Morning News. Steve Kelly, Brett Keita, Lauren Smith, the show is called Gardening Simplified. Hello, Jim Stafford to lead us in tonight, good morning, Rick. Hey, good morning. Yeah, singer-songwriter Jim Stafford released that song in 1974, which makes me feel old. I don't like spiders and snakes, and that ain't what it takes to love me. And on tomorrow's show, we're going to talk about spiders and snakes, because there's, well, you just can't ignore them in the garden, and they play a useful purpose. You know, the problem is they just have this unfavory reputation, they're kind of secretive and reclusive and sometimes reviled. You know, they're sinister characters in legend and lore, but both spiders and snakes serve a purpose in the garden, how to deal with them, why they're a sign that you have a healthy yard and garden. All things that Stacy and I will talk about tomorrow on the Gardening Simplified Show. Well, let me start, Rick, with why I don't like them. They bite. That was the first thing that jumps out of me. But you know, I told you this last year, though, there is an uptick, I feel, especially with spiders in the last couple of years in the landscape and everywhere around your house. Well, they're around because the environment is good, and yes, they, you know, they're not interested in you, Brett. They are interested in other insects, that's why they, they weave this, this web out in the garden. And by the way, Brett, I've got all kinds of really good spider puns, but I won't let them just look them up on the web. Very good. You know, to say, Rick, respectfully, Rick, you, I don't know if you've ever seen anaconda, but I will not be taking the way of all. You're probably not interested in me. Is there anything, you know, we talk about dear repellent and can I do anything to just keep them? I'll share, I'll share some of my area. If they stay in their area, we've got woods and I'm terrified to walk back there. You know, you bring up a good point, Lauren, because I really believe that repellent are more or less useless when it comes to spiders and snakes. If you're spraying an insect control, you're also affecting the beneficial insect. So, you know, not a good idea, again, it's a reminder, they're not interested in you. Snakes are interested in places where they can slither away real quickly. They're interested in low shade. You know, if you have a bush or a plant that grows to the ground, they want to be underneath it. So, during periods when they're hot and heavy, I'll make sure to wear shoes, not go barefoot in the garden. Maybe have a stick with me where you rattle the bottom of that low shade. But again, you know, it's a good reminder that they're there for a reason not to scare you. They're there because snakes are after rodents, spiders are after insects, and they do provide benefit in the garden. So, you know, you're going to have to swallow hard and figure out how you're going to coexist with these characters. One of those deterrence is not the gas that I'm spraying all over the landscape with that new gas can of mine, but that's, I'm afraid we're out of time. Well, Steve, I know we're out of time, but let me quickly mention I've got to limb a rick for you how I deal with it. Snakes aren't for everyone, so not to be outdone when faced with a slithering serpent or any other intruding insurgent, I've trained myself to run. Rick Weist for President, the show tomorrow is gardening simplified. Thank you so much for your time today. God bless America. Thank you so much.