Summit Responsible Solutions

If you live in Florida or anywhere along the Gulf Coast, this one's worth a read. Florida's dengue outbreak has passed 250 locally acquired cases this year, which is the most for any state in the continental U.S. since at least the 1940s. Most of those cases are in Hillsborough County, and the Tampa area has declared local emergencies.
Dengue is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. They bite during the day and lay their eggs in surprisingly small amounts of water, like a bottle cap, a plant saucer or a clogged gutter. Because they breed so close to home, what you do in your own yard really matters.
👉 Read the full AP story at the link in the first comment.
Here are a few simple ways to cut down mosquitoes around your home:
🪣 Once a week, tip and toss any standing water in buckets, toys, tarps, saucers and old tires.
🌿 Water you can't dump, like rain barrels, ponds, and birdbaths, can be treated with Mosquito Dunks® or Mosquito Bits®. Their naturally occurring Bti kills mosquito larvae before they grow into biting adults, and it won't harm people, pets, fish or wildlife when applied as directed.
🧴 When you're outdoors, use an EPA-registered repellent such as DEET, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin.
🏡 Fix torn window screens and keep your doors closed.

Wildlife Needs Water Too

Cooler weather doesn't mean wildlife stops needing water.

Depending on your location and local conditions, birds and other wildlife may still benefit from access to clean water.

If you maintain a birdbath or other water source:
🧹 Keep it clean
🍂 Remove debris
🧽 Clean it regularly
❄️ Prepare for colder temperatures

Small actions can help create a welcoming outdoor space.

From Garden to Kitchen: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds 🎃

When you carve or cook a pumpkin this fall, save the seeds. They make a crunchy, easy snack, and you probably already have everything you need to make them.

Scoop out the seeds and rinse off the pulp and strings. Pat them dry with a towel. The drier they are, the crispier they'll roast. For each cup of seeds, toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter and ½ teaspoon salt. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast at 325°F for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until they're golden and crisp.

Once you've mastered the basics, try adding cinnamon and a little brown sugar for a sweet version. For something savory, try garlic powder, smoked paprika, or a pinch of cayenne.

How do you like your pumpkin seeds, sweet or savory? Tell us in the comments! 👇

Why Mosquitoes Don't Need Much Water

🦟 It doesn't take a pond to produce mosquitoes.

In fact, some mosquito species can develop in surprisingly small amounts of standing water.

- A flowerpot saucer.
- A forgotten bucket.
- A clogged gutter.
- A birdbath that hasn't been refreshed.

A quick walk around your yard after rain can make a big difference. If standing water can't be drained, Mosquito Bits® can help control mosquito larvae before they become biting adults when used as directed.

A few minutes of prevention today can help make outdoor spaces more enjoyable tomorrow.

https://summitchemical.com/products/mosquito-bits/

National Coffee Day
— Life happens, coffee helps.
Cheers to every brew, every bean, and every coffee lover.

Fall Is Spider Season (And That's a Good Thing)

Spiders eat mosquitoes, flies, and pests. A yard with webs in September is a yard on duty. Respect the caretakers.

Dew-covered orb-weaver web, golden light, one-line web-fact callouts.

Can you tell the beneficial garden allies from the harmful ones?
Beneficial: Ladybugs, Hoverflies, Predatory spiders
Harmful: Japanese beetles, Aphids, Tomato hornworms
Beneficial organisms help support natural balance in the garden. Not every bug is a pest!

🌲 National Public Lands Day

Today we celebrate parks, trails, forests, and natural spaces that make outdoor adventures possible.

When visiting public lands:

🥾 Stay on designated trails
🗑 Pack out what you pack in
🐾 Respect wildlife
🌿 Leave natural areas better than you found them

Found a tick after your last hike or yard cleanup? Here's a quick challenge 👇

🔎 Can you name all six?
1._________________________
2._________________________
3._________________________
4._________________________
5._________________________
6._________________________

Drop your guesses in the comments, then check them against our Tick Field Guide. The link is in our comment below.