It recently happened again. One of the Asian giant hornet’s nests was featured on the national news in the upper northwest part of our nation, and then local folks started “seeing them around here”.

You may have heard about the “Murder Hornet” as they make a big splash in the headlines and certainly getting a lot of attention as they can wipe out an entire Honeybee hive!

According to all scientific observations, we certainly don’t have any murderous hornets in East Texas. But we do have a unusually large wasp called a Cicada killer. These wasps reach up to 1-½ inches in length. Except for a rusty red head and thorax, they are overall black or rusty in color, with yellow band markings on the abdominal segments.

Cicadas are the large, late summer insects that are commonly mis-named locusts. Cicadas are well known for their “summer song” as well as the “cast/ skins” they leave behind as they grow.

(True locusts are a certain species of grasshopper that decimate crops as they feed.)

Our own Cicada killer wasp is of the largest wasps you will encounter. But not to worry, although females are capable of stinging, they are rarely aggressive towards people or animals. Of course, the males are incapable of stinging, but can be more aggressive and will make one think they can harm you!

Cicada killer wasps spend the winter in a larval or pupal stage in the soil. Adults emerge in the summer, feed, mate and produce new nesting burrows. They prefer loose sandy soil and tend to be solitary.

Cicada killers are most active during July and August, coinciding with the appearance of cicadas which they attack, sting and paralyze. They then fly, glide or drag the cicadas back to their nests, provisioning the cells in their burrows. Larvae feed only on cicadas, and the adult will feed on flower nectar.

Cicada killers could certainly frighten you if you met them in a dark alley but, be assured, they are beneficial as they reduce harmful insects. Yet large numbers of females nesting in localized areas such as sandy embankments can be a nuisance and cause concern because of their large size, low flight and nesting activities. Nest entrances are often accompanied by a pile of soil excavated from the burrow that may disturb turfgrass.

I hope we never have the Asian giant hornet in these parts. We already have a huge, native wasp that we can look for and appreciate.

The updates you make in fall can prepare your home for the long winter months ahead, helping you stay more comfortable all season while reducing your energy bills and other expenditures. Here are some home improvements to consider, as well as tips and insights for making the most of these upgrades:

• Select insulated siding: Did you know that most wall insulation is placed only between the studs? Since wall studs represent up to 25% of the wall surface of an average home, that’s like having one side of your home with no insulation at all!

• Improve windows and sliding glass doors: New windows can make a substantial impact on your overall energy efficiency, if you select wisely. To identify the most energy-efficient windows for your home, refer to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) climate zone map, which divides the country into four regions. For each region, the agency provides recommended values for the two major characteristics that affect the energy efficiency of vinyl windows: the U-Factor (which measures the window’s insulating value) and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (which represents the amount of heat from the sun that passes through the glass). Learn the specs of any windows you’re interested in before making a purchase to ensure they’re a good fit for your region.

Wherever you live, make sure the windows and sliding patio doors have been independently tested to meet strict EPA energy efficiency standards, and check to see that the windows are ENERGY STAR Certified. . Some lines come standard with ComforTech Warm Edge Glazing, a high-tech glass package that measurably improves thermal performance for less heat loss, warmer glass temperatures and reduced interior condensation. Finally, be sure any new products are delivering their full value with a proper installation that eliminates drafts.

• Seek further savings: Did you know that by installing energy efficient products, you may be eligible to receive an energy tax credit? When purchasing products for your home, consider shopping with companies that are clear about the status of their products, as well as provide needed documentation certifying your eligibility.

• Pass it on: Environmental stewardship is a valuable lesson to impart to the next generation. While you make energy-saving updates to your home, consider checking out free resources that can help your children understand why this matters. For example, the “Sammy the Star” ENERGY STAR Educational Program, found at provia.com/energy-star, teaches children about the importance of saving energy.

Energy savings and environmental protection go hand-in-hand. This fall, consider home upgrades that prioritize both.

This year we have seen a tremendous outbreak of armyworms affecting pastures and hay meadows. Even my own mom, who lives well north of me has been calling, complaining of armyworms in her lawn, and asking what to do.

Earlier this year, I was certain that winter storm Yuri was going to set these armyworms back with all of the cold, freezing weather we experienced. I was sure their emergence this year would be delayed and certainly diminished. But it was at a beef cattle field day on June 4th that I heard that we had already had some armyworms damaging hay meadows outside of Diboll!

Outbreaks can occur in summer and fall and follow periods of rain which create favorable conditions for eggs and small larvae to survive. Don’t let the proper name of this insect, the Fall Armyworm, trick you into thinking that they won’t show up until later in the year.

Armyworms hatch from egg masses laid by the adult moths and are very small at first, causing little plant damage, and as a result, infestations often go unnoticed early on. Larvae feed for 2-3 weeks and full-grown larvae are about 1 to 1 1/2 inches long.

Once larvae are greater than 3/4 inch, the quantity of leaves they eat increases dramatically. Armyworms consume 80% of their total food intake during the last few days of their life as a caterpillar. For this reason, extensive feeding damage can occur in just a few days when you are most likely to notice them due to their size.

Development from egg to adult requires about 3 to 4 weeks during the summer and is longer during cool weather. There are several generations a year. Development ends with cold weather in November.

Given their immense appetite, great numbers, and “marching” across land, armyworms can damage entire fields, pastures, or neighborhoods in a few days. Once the armyworm completes feeding, in tunnels into the soil and enters the pupal stage. In 7-10 days, the moth emerges from the pupa and starts its cycle anew.

The key to managing armyworms is to detect infestations before they have caused serious damage. Often, rural landowners will notice large numbers of cattle egrets on a hay meadow. Though the birds are easy to spot, this may be too late.

In residential areas, homeowners will notice the caterpillars crawling across walkways and onto the porch.

The best way I’ve heard to detect armyworms in an open pasture is to regularly scout pastures early in the morning while there is plenty of dew on the grass. Wear your black rubber boots and walk thru

fields, or drive thru them on your ATV with a foot dragging off to the side, looking for small caterpillars on your boot. Affected grass may have a ragged look, different from grazed or mowed grass.

Armyworm larvae feed primarily during the night and during cloudy weather. Later in the day, look for armyworms under loose soil and fallen leaves on the ground.

Hot, dry weather and natural enemies limit armyworm populations. Insect parasites such as wasps and flies, ground beetles, and other predators help suppress armyworm numbers. However, these natural factors can be overwhelmed when large numbers of migrating moths lay tens of thousands of eggs in a lawn or field.

There are several insecticides labeled for armyworm control in pastures. Remember that approved insecticides can kill non-target insects. Do not allow drift across fences to areas with blooming plants as beneficial pollinators will certainly be harmed.

For homeowners, it is very important to make contact with the worms by spraying in the morning when they are actively feeding.

For larger agricultural operations, costs vary, but more importantly is the restrictions of certain products related to having a pesticide license, grazing, and haying after application. Make sure to read the labels and apply correctly for best control. Always read and follow all label instructions and restrictions on any pesticide use.

When my mom asked what she needed to do for her lawn, I told her not to even worry about it. She can be thankful that she doesn’t need her grass to graze livestock, and, at worst, she’ll have a ragged looking lawn for a week or two until her turfgrass regrows.