If you’ve been outside this spring, you’ve probably been bothered by gnats. These tiny flies relentlessly congregate near the face, getting into the eyes, nose, mouth and ears.

Eye gnats come right up to the faces of people and animals because they feed on fluids secreted by the eyes, nose and ears. Even though eye gnats are considered mostly a nuisance, they have been connected to transmission of several diseases, including pink eye.

Eye gnats are true flies. At about one-sixteenth of an inch in length, they are among the smallest fly species in Florida. They are known as eye gnats, eye flies, frit flies and grass flies. The name grass flies is somewhat descriptive as open grass areas such as pastures, hay fields, roadsides and lawns provide breeding sites for these gnats. They also breed in areas of freshly disturbed soil with adequate organic matter such as livestock farms.

Even though these gnats can be found in much of North and South America, they prefer areas with warm, wet weather and sandy soils. Sounds like Florida.

The lack of cold weather in late winter and early spring is the more likely reason for why these gnats are such a problem in our area this year. Without having the typical last killing frost around mid-March and with early warm weather and rains, the gnats got off to an early start.

Short of constantly swatting them away from your face or just not going outdoors, what can be done about these irritating little flies? By the way, I grew up in an area of Georgia where gnats are common. I’ll let you in on a secret… Folks who live in Georgia are known to be overly friendly because they are always waving at people who are just passing through. More than likely, these “friendly” folks are busy swatting at gnats, not waving at others who happen to be driving by. Swatting is a quick swinging action with hand as if waving.

Because of their lifecycle, extremely high reproductive numbers in the soil and because insecticides breakdown quickly, area-wide chemical control efforts don’t work well in combating this insect.

The use of the following where gnats are common can be helpful:

— Correct use of insect repellents, particularly those containing DEET

— Screens on windows to prevent entry of gnats into homes

— Face-hugging sunglasses or other protective eyewear

— Face masks – another use for your COVID-19 face mask

We may have to put up with these annoying gnats until cold weather arrives and be thankful that they don’t bite.

Additional info on eye gnats is available online at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in884 or from the UF/IFAS Extension Office in your County.

Larry Williams is an agent with the Okaloosa County Extension Office for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Annoying gnats abound this spring

Summer is here, temperatures are hot and the criminals are working hard to steal money. It is unfortunate that the people who run scams never seem to quit.

There are several new and many old reworked scams.

There is now an email that claims your credit card on file for Amazon Prime no longer works. “Click here“ to put in your information. Of course, the website one is directed to is phony. It may look real, but it is not.

If you have a problem with Amazon, go to their website and update your information there.

Never give your information over the phone or click on the email, as it may be phony.

A NEW ONE

A newer scam is one in which a small business or individual advertises their services through a website, such as Home Advisor.

A potential customer (scammer) calls for information and prices, then wants to send a check for far more money than the service requested. The caveat is that they want you to meet them with cash back.

Say the service will cost $600, they want to send you a check for $1,000 and have you hand them or their agent $400 cash. Without a doubt, their check will be no good and you will be out of $400.

Don’t fall for this scam. Never give cash back from a check or credit card payment.

SOME ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS

During the time I sat down to write this article, I got a phishing text on my cell phone, supposedly from AT&T, telling me that my payment was on hold and instructing me to call a phone number with an 850 area code.

Knowing that AT&T uses 800 numbers, I knew this was a scam. Should you get a text such as this, call AT&T’s customer service. When I checked, there was no problem with our account.

Also remember, government agents do not call on the phone and demand payment. The IRS never calls and demands payment immediately. They send letters in the mail.

The Federal Trade Commission isn’t going to transfer money into your bank account, so never give out banking information over the phone to anyone.

If you must give out sensitive financial information over the phone, always initiate the phone call yourself to the phone number on your credit card, bank or mortgage company statement.

Don’t ever give any sensitive information to someone demanding or threatening you over the phone. Never click a link in an email to provide sensitive, personal information. Unfortunately, unscrupulous people are only too willing to steal your hard earned money.

Should you feel you are at risk of becoming a victim of identity fraud, contact the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Trans-Union and Equifax. You can place a hold on your credit report, which requires your permission for anyone to access it.

If you have been a victim of identity theft, you can begin to get your life back together at IdentityTheft.gov. This site will help you with a plan to recover your identity.

Also, most homeowners insurance now includes basic identity theft coverage. You may want to check with your agent and find out exactly what this coverage provides before anything happens.

One last reminder: don’t answer phone calls from unknown phone numbers or blocked numbers. If the call is legitimate and you need to speak with them, they will leave a message. If they don’t leave a message, then they may have nefarious purposes and it is better not to speak with them.

Stay safe, Crestview!

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HAPPENINGS: Updates on scams, both old and new

How prepared are you and your family for hurricane season? With all that has been going on, this yearly season has been somewhat pushed aside. Nonetheless, it is important to have things in order before the hurricanes come.

The National Weather Service is predicting an active 2020 season. Because of COVID-19, preparations may need to be somewhat different this year.

Have a written plan for you and your family should a hurricane come to our area. Plan ahead where you will go should you need to evacuate. Who will transport the children and who will transport the pets? Where will you meet? If you have elderly neighbors, please include them in your evacuation plans.

Because some businesses have closed with COVID-19, make sure that you have a list of hotels/motels that will accept pets if you have them, and check that they are open. Plan on bringing you own snacks, drinks and easy to prepare food (sandwiches) as there may not be food available for purchase close to where you are staying.

Here is a partial list of items needed for both staying home during a hurricane or evacuation:

— Make sure you are tracking current weather conditions

— Cover the windows of your home with plywood or hurricane proof shutters

— Keep copies of essential papers in waterproof zippered bags, such as: Homeowner’s insurance policy, passports, banking information, current list of medications for each household member, deed to the home, and other legal papers you may need. Put the originals in a safe deposit box.

— Cash needed for supplies

— Keep your vehicles full of fuel, don’t let your tank get below 1/2

— Take your valuables if you evacuate, jewelry, cameras, and so on

— Have a battery-operated radio along with plenty of batteries

— Keep phone and other needed chargers in a zippered bag

— Portable propane grill to cook with, only use outside, have extra propane tanks

— Plenty of canned food along with a portable can opener

— Water, have one gallon per day per pet, and two gallons per person per day for a seven to 14 day period

— Have emergency contact numbers written down in case the phone goes dead

— Have two to four weeks of medications for each person

— Have basic tools readily available, wrench, screwdrivers, hammer, nails, etc.

— Have pet carriers, leads and enough pet food for 14 days for each pet

— If you stay home and a storm is coming, fill your bathtubs with water for things like wiping down counters, flushing, and so on

— First aid kit

— Once a hurricane is confirmed, bring in all outside furniture

Should you decide to go to a county shelter, know the rules ahead of time. Do they accept pets? Do they have accommodations for special needs? These are items you may need:

— Sleeping bags, pillows and blankets

— Drinking water

— Identification papers for each member of the family

— Snacks, games and toys for your children

— Needed medicines for each family member

— Battery-operated radio

— Face masks for each family member, at least two per person, with more extras, if possible

Should you desire more information, the following sites are helpful. National Weather Service, www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness and Okaloosa County hurricane preparedness information, http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/ps/hurricanes.

Be prepared and stay safe!

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Have a plan in place for hurricane season

We have an abundance of veterans in our small town of Crestview, and we owe them a plethora of gratitude for their military service.

Some of our veterans gave all for the cause of freedom, their lives and these are the men and women that we honor on Memorial Day.

We must remember that our freedom wasn’t and isn’t free, it has cost the blood, sweat and tears of the men and women who have fought for the United States of America.

Generally, there are moving services at cemeteries to remember our service members, but this year, there will be very few services as people are concerned about the coronavirus spreading.

In some states the Boy Scout troops aren’t even being allowed to put flags by the graves this year because of the regulations from the Veteran’s Administration.

Whether we have Memorial Day services or not, we need to honor and remember those who died for our freedom.

Webster’s 1828 online dictionary defines freedom: “A state of exemption from the power or control of another; liberty; exemption from slavery, servitude or confinement; freedom is personal, civil, political, and religious.

We don’t want to lose our freedom, but how much do we value freedom? Are we willing to stand up for what is right and fight tyranny? We need to be prepared for whatever may be thrown at us and willing to defend our country and our freedom.

Here is a quote from Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and our third president:

“When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”

Those are good words to remember, as we watch some of our representatives run amok with unlawful edicts and out-of-control spending.

Back in 1915, John McCrae wrote the poem “In Flanders Fields,” which talked about the poppies that blew between the crosses in the cemetery.

In 1918, a woman named Moina Michael wrote another poem remembering our fallen heroes from World War I, named “We Shall Keep the Faith.” She encouraged people to wear a poppy on their lapel to remember the fallen.

The poppy is used as a remembrance, as there were poppies in the fields where many of the heroes died.

Here is her poem.

We Shall Keep the Faith

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,

Sleep sweet – to rise anew!

We caught the torch you threw

And holding high, we keep the Faith

With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led;

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies,

But lends a lustre to the red

Of the flower that blooms above the dead

In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red

We wear in honor of our dead.

Fear not that ye have died for naught;

We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought

In Flanders Fields.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Honoring veterans on Memorial Day

As responsible consumers and citizens, now that small businesses are beginning to open up, how do we support them? We don’t want to see any of our friends and neighbors lose their businesses, so now we need to patronize them.

Most, if not all of us, will need haircuts and new hair styles, so let’s get out to our local barbers and hair stylists to take care of us. Don’t wait. Do this as soon as the salons and shops open, as these people have been closed and need to pay their bills.

Does your car need maintenance? Please take it in. Mechanic businesses have been very slow these past few weeks and they also need to earn a living.

Many restaurants have had to close or only provide takeout business. Since restaurants are now only allowed a 25 percent capacity, make sure to call and make a reservation so you don’t have to wait for hours. Perhaps you’d rather get your food to go and eat at home or on your patio. We can also buy gift cards for later use at our favorite restaurants, which helps with their cash flow.

Some of us may not have the funds to buy gift cards ahead, but perhaps can afford a to-go meal from a local eatery. We want our local businesses to survive and thrive.

Our purchases help our local economy. When you need to purchase something, try to buy it from a small business rather than a large chain, as many chains were allowed to stay open during the mandated closures.

Don’t forget your house of worship. They also need support as their expenses are ongoing. There are still mortgages, salaries and utilities to pay.

Did you receive your stimulus check? Be aware that scammers are out in force looking to steal this money from you. They may call and say you were sent the money in error and ask for a refund.

This is a thief looking for your money! Hang up on them.

The best way to avoid phone scams is to ignore phone calls from phone numbers you don’t recognize. If the person needs to speak with you, they will leave a message. Be vigilant about returning phone calls to banks, credit card companies and so forth. When you do, only use the phone number on your statement or your credit card to ensure you are really calling your financial institution.

The IRS won’t contact you by phone, email, text message, or social media with information about your stimulus payment, or to ask you for your Social Security Number, bank account, or government benefits debit card account number.

Anyone who does is a scammer phishing for your information, according to www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/coronavirus-stimulus-payment-scams-what-you-need-know.

Take care of yourselves and your families and may the Lord protect our small business owners.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: There are many ways to help small businesses

Mother’s Day is almost upon us. Have you thought about how you are going to celebrate Mother’s Day?

Traditionally, Mother’s Day is a day when many families take their mothers out to a nice restaurant for a meal. Since we aren’t sure which restaurants may or may not be open, and what their capacity may be, we need to make alternative plans.

One option would be to cook a nice meal for your mother and have a small gathering at home. Another option is to buy a family meal from a local restaurant and eat in the backyard. Alternatively, a backyard barbecue could be fun. Use your creativity to make this a fun day for Mom.

What type of gifts does your mom enjoy? Is there something in particular that she needs?

Thankfully we have many online stores from which to shop, and several of them offer free delivery. Fresh flowers or a plant for the yard may be appreciated, or perhaps a gift card for her favorite restaurant for use later, once everything is open.

What would make a nice tribute to your mother? Perhaps you could write a poem of thanks to your mom, or have your children make cards with reasons why they love Grandmother.

A new front door wreath may be needed. The supplies are available online or at craft stores. There are many homemade things we can make to honor our moms. We can bake a few batches of cookies and give some to our mother on a lovely plate, then share some with our elderly friends.

If you are far away from your mom, like me, you can use one of the many video chatting programs available, or call on the phone and enjoy visiting that way. Your mother will be thrilled to hear your voice on Mother’s Day.

Since this year will be different as to how many of us will spend Mother’s Day with our moms, let’s be imaginative and make the day memorable for them. Be kind to those who don’t have family near, send cards, notes and give them a phone call.

While not specifically about mothers, here is a nice poem one could use on a card.

Pippa’s Song, by Robert Browning

The year’s at the spring, and day’s at the morn;

Morning’s at seven; the hill-side’s dew-pearl’d;

The lark’s on the wing; the snail’s on the thorn;

God’s in His heaven, All’s right with the world!

None of us know what tomorrow holds or may bring, so let’s love and honor our mothers while we still have them with us on earth.

Proverbs 31:28a states, “Her children rise up and bless her.” To all our Crestview mothers, thank you for all you do for us, we love you and pray the Lord blesses you abundantly.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Celebrate our mothers