Healthy Green Beings September 2015
Welcome to the third edition of Healthy Green Beings for 2015. Spring has sprung and it is
time to tend our gardens, ensuring we make efficient use of our available water sources and
avoid any unwanted pests.
Water saving ideas
Water is one of our most precious resources and it is vital we use our water sources wisely.
During spring, gardening activities typically increase which leads to a rise in the use of water
in the home.
The following ideas can help reduce your water usage;
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Water the roots of plants rather than the leaves, reducing windspray and evaporation.
Don't water in the middle of the day, in windy conditions or if it is likely to rain.
Provide mulch for all garden beds to help retain water for longer.
Check soil moisture levels before commencing watering, as traditionally many plants
are often over-watered.
When making changes to your garden, seek to introduce drought tolerant plants and
warm season grasses where possible.
Make use of alternative water sources in the garden, such as rainwater or greywater.
Grey water re-use
Many of us like to use grey water on our garden in the warmer months to keep our gardens
healthy while conserving water.
Here are some things to keep in mind when using grey water in the garden:
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Do not use the waste water from your kitchen or toilet. Kitchen and toilet water must
be discharged to sewer or septic tank only.
Only use grey water in the garden and rotate which areas you water.
Be aware of what chemicals you are using in your grey water, as some will be
harmful to plants.
Do not let your grey water run off your property – make sure it is all being absorbed
by your garden.
Stop using grey water during wet periods.
Did you know?
Water use in the bathroom and toilet areas comprises up to 40% of all water used in the
home.
Approximately 25,700 litres of water is required to grow a day's food for a family of four.
The average person uses 200 litres of water per day.
A leaking tap can waste up to 20,000 litres per year.
Stop bugging me
Over the warmer months our garden plays host to a variety of insects and invertebrates.
Council receives numerous calls from residents with concerns regarding these insects particularly when they appear in large numbers.
Here are some tips on how to identify some of the insects in your garden and what to do if
they become a nuisance:
Soldier beetles
Soldier beetles generally grow to around 15mm in size the majority of their body is black with
an orange/yellow stripe around their neck and covering their belly.
They can appear in huge numbers in your garden suddenly for days at a time during mating.
Their number can be significant completely covering trees or shrubs.
They do not bite or sting people and usually disperse after a few days.
Bees
Generally 15mm long, and dark yellow/orange and black in colour.
Bees benefit the environment by cross pollinating flowers and producing honey.
They will be more active in the summer months and on particularly hot days, as they leave
their hive to cool down. They will clump together resting on a tree for anywhere from an hour
to two days then generally move on or return to their hive. They are unlikely to cause harm if
they are left undisturbed.
If you are concerned about a bee swarm on your property or on public land, please
call Maroondah City Council on 1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598.
Wasps
Wasps are between 15 to 20mm long, are bright yellow and black in colour.
They fly swiftly and make little noise.
Wasps will often come to an area when they smell food, and can be a danger to people as
they can become aggressive and sting multiple times. They can also be a threat to native
ecosystems. Wasps can build nests just about anywhere including, garden walls, house
walls or roof cavities, sheds, etc.
If a wasp nest is on your property, you are required to destroy the nest. Council can provide
you with a brochure called Living with European Wasps for information or check the Yellow
Pages under ‘Pest Contractor’.
If you identify a wasp nest on public land, or a neighbouring property, please call Maroondah
City Council on 1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes typically measure up to 16mm long and are brown in colour.
They are a particular nuisance because the females will bite and consume blood of most
living things including humans. Mosquitoes lay eggs in water after mating and these typically
take 7 to 10 days to hatch.
Identifying any water around your home and making sure it is replaced or removed at least
weekly, will stop them from hatching. This may include; animal water bowels, bird baths, kids
wading pools saucers/trays under pot plants, roof gutters unused tyres, etc.
Mosquitoes generally will not lay eggs in water that is moving, so ensure ponds and
swimming pools have the pump running for a significant part of the day.
It is also a good idea to have fish in your ponds and make sure any water collection
devices have secure lids or screens.