Texas Fall/Winter thread!

[Bird]

I can't say I envy the weather forecasters their job, but the forecast is constantly changing. Now it's back to 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. and up to 80% tonight. But that may change next hour.

 

[jinman]

Yep! Weather reporter is probably more accurate than weather forecaster.

 

[Western]

My understanding, is prop 6 with basically justify more water use regulation, approving a $2b start-up from the "rainy day fund" mostly to transfer water from rural to urban areas. Didnt Texans just approve a $6B water plan fund 2-3 years ago???

 

[WM75Guy]

My understanding, is prop 6 with basically justify more water use regulation, approving a $2b start-up from the "rainy day fund" mostly to transfer water from rural to urban areas. Didnt Texans just approve a $6B water plan fund 2-3 years ago???

The plan was approved, just not funded. Prop 6 funds it by taking 2 billon dollars from the state Rainy Day (surplus) funds to establish a pool to fund loans to cities, counties and water districts to fund their water projects. The loans have to be paid back with interest. Prop 6 had been endorsed by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Texas Farm Bureau. I am a member of both and they work to protect the rights of property owners. The ones who are against it and stand to lose are the private financial companies who made loans to or bought bonds from governmental entities. It does not create more regulations. I voted for it.

 

[jinman]

Jim, I used a table spoon of dishwashing detergent with gallon of water and all the ants are lying around dead. It was a quick kill. I'll try a few more mounds.

That tidbit of info did not escape me, Don. Thanks for posting. Considering your success, after the next rain shower I'm gonna of go hunting mounds with my Dawn soap to "clean up" some ants.

 

[pacerron]

That tidbit of info did not escape me, Don. Thanks for posting. Considering your success, after the next rain shower I'm gonna of go hunting mounds with my Dawn soap to "clean up" some ants.

Did TDon mean liquid dish washing soap or powdered dishwasher detergent?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

The plan was approved, just not funded. Prop 6 funds it by taking 2 billon dollars from the state Rainy Day (surplus) funds to establish a pool to fund loans to cities, counties and water districts to fund their water projects. The loans have to be paid back with interest. Prop 6 had been endorsed by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Texas Farm Bureau. I am a member of both and they work to protect the rights of property owners. The ones who are against it and stand to lose are the private financial companies who made loans to or bought bonds from governmental entities. It does not create more regulations. I voted for it.

I will type the article from the Giddings Times and News. they don't have a website.

Judge Denies water rights party status for property owners.
Lee and Bastrop county landowners to appeal decision.

Landowners in Lee and Bastrop counties have been denied their right to party status in a contested water case.

A group of four landowners had appealed a decision in a case involving water marketing company End Op's application for well registration, operating permits and transfer permits in the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

A State Office of Administrative Hearings Judge denied the landowners had petitioned Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District for the party status to have the right to legally participate in a disputed groundwater pumping permit hearing.

The decision has broad implications throughout Texas for landowners wanting to protect groundwater under their property.

Texas Supreme Court affirmed the ownership of groundwater in place as real property. The decision by the SOAH judge upholds the rule of capture. This means that whoever gets the water first owns it.

It has been noted this ruling, if left to stand, severely limits the rights of landowners to protect their groundwater property rights.

End of article.

This judge has gone and ruled, something that 1 person shouldn't have the power to rule on. How can he overturn what the Texas Supreme Court has already set? Wonder what the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Texas Farm Bureau think about this?

 

[farmgirl19]

jinman; Several years ago, I sprayed out beneficial nematodes for fireant control. We had rains that year, and one could watch the line of where the fireants had been forced to retreat, even across the neighbor's property line, until they were met with the neighbor's chemical use. I had the only area around that was close to fireant free, with only the very occasional mound.

However, those nematodes need some moisture and humidity to survive, and this drought has taken its toll on them. I have thought about putting more out, but until the drought breaks, it is wasting money. They are non-toxic to humans and animals, and totally non-chemical. They will burrow down in the ground and into the ant mounds to eat the fireants. But, if you use chemicals against any other "bug" type pests, you will kill off the nematodes too. Since I am organic here, I am just waiting on Mother Nature to give us back some good soaking Spring and Summer rains, so that I can put those little critters out again, and let them begin feasting!

 

[jinman]

But, if you use chemicals against any other "bug" type pests, you will kill off the nematodes too. Since I am organic here, I am just waiting on Mother Nature to give us back some good soaking Spring and Summer rains, so that I can put those little critters out again, and let them begin feasting!

Yes, I too hate the thought of wiping out beneficial bugs as I stated before. Using chemical insecticides in isolated areas helps me get more of a level playing field to try other remedies. However, even soaps are not selective in choosing which bugs they will kill. I also think that control of fireants in residential developments is different from broad control over acres and acres of property. I don't pretend to know or practice all the correct organic prevention. Heck! I can't even keep the spider mites off the indoor potted mums I bought for my wife.:confused3:

 

[txdon]

Did TDon mean liquid dish washing soap or powdered dishwasher detergent?

"When we lived in Texas, I discovered that soapy water was the most effective tool against fire ant mounds. I used one gallon (recycled milk jug) of hot water and added about a teaspoon of dish liquid. Pour over the mound and it will be gone within 24 hours!"

About three down on this web site:
Homemade Ant Killer Recipes | ThriftyFun

It only works in Texas for some reason, everywhere else you just get clean ants.