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As the weather cools down, the insects are preparing for winter and

sometimes that means seeking shelter in your home. Insects have different ways

of surviving the winter. Most adults die off when frost arrives, but leave eggs

behind to start next year’s population. Some, like the Monarch, migrate to

warmer temperatures. Others, burrow into the leaf litter, hide under bark, or

rocks to protect them from the cold. Unfortunately for us, our warm homes may

be irresistible to insects seeking shelter from winter.

This time of year you may notice groupings of insects on sunny sides of

houses and buildings. Insects are seeking out warmer places to spend the day as

the heat of the summer air decreases. Boxelder bugs, Asian multicolored lady

beetles, and brown marmorated stink bugs are well known for displaying this sun-

seeking behavior. Vinyl siding has been known as a great place for an insect to be

protected from the winter elements as well as get a little warmth from the homes

heating system. However, any crack or crevice large enough for an insect to crawl

through is an open invitation to come indoors!

Ever wonder how ALL those bugs know to gather in the warmth or work

their way into windowsills? Some will use aggregation pheromones to spread the

word about this great shelter they have found. This is a chemical signal inviting

others to join. The sight of dozens or hundreds of insects may be alarming, but

don’t overreact. The shelter-seeking insects mentioned before will not bite, infest

your pantry, and won’t cause structural damage. They are just waiting out the

winter like we all do. If you really can’t stand the sight of them in your home, don’t

squish them. Many of them (as you may have found out personally) give off foul

defensive odors when injured or threatened. There is no need to resort to

chemical pesticides either. Simply grab your vacuum and use the hose attachment

to suck up the offending pests. Be sure to remove the vacuum bag when finished

and take it outside to the trash.

Newsletter Line Up

2….Fact Files

2….Eyes to the Skies

3….Upcoming Events

4….Kid’s Korner

5….Nature News

6….At-a-glance Calendar

Conservation Center

Hours

Monday-Friday

May-September

7:00 AM -3:30 PM

October-April

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Fall Insect Invaders

A publication of the Sac County Conservation Board

“To initiate awareness and foster stewardship of nature’s rewards.”

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Eyes to the Skies!

September 2018

7-Neptune at Opposition

[Neptune reaches its closest approach to Earth,

making it appear its brightest.]

9-New Moon

25-Autumn Equinox

[The official first day of Fall! Shifting Earth’s tilt

and light will lessen during the day]

25-Full Moon

[Corn or Harvest Moon]

October 2018

9-New Moon

13- International Astronomy Day!

23-Uranus at Opposition

[Uranus reaches its closest approach to Earth,

making it appear its brightest.]

24- Full Moon

[Hunters or Travel Moon]

November 2018

7-New Moon

17-18 - Leonids Meteor Shower

[This shower peaks after midnight with an

average of 40 meteors per hour]

23- Full Moon

[Beaver or Frosty Moon]

Fact Files! Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

(Halyomorpha halys)

Native insect of Asia (China, Japan, Taiwan)

Accidentally introduced to the United State, the first ID being in 1998 in Pennsylvania.

Feeds on variety foods including fruits, resulting in being a pest for produce growers.

After hatching the nymph will undergo 5 molts before being an adult.

The adults overwinter and emerge in the spring to mate and lay eggs on vegetation.

When squished or threatened they release a pungent odor.

Have an idea for a future file? Email me at

sccbnat@frontiernet.net and it could be next!

Thank You!

Summer Staff:

Grant Park Attendant-Roger Huster

Grant Park Camp Hosts-Terry & Melissa Rath

Hagge Park Camp Host-Diane Page

Conservation Aides- Norm Lewman & Levi Olhausen

Buena Vista County Conservation for use of archery

equipment.

Sac County Iowa State Extension for help with the Summer

Fishing Clinic.

Interested in the night sky? Check out our friends in Coon Rapids for their Star

Party!

Star Party Public Viewing Night Friday, September 7th @ 7:30 PM

Whiterock Conservancy www.whiterockconservancy.org for more information

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SCCB Upcoming Events *Find us on Facebook for the most up to date information.

* To register for a program, email sccbnat@frontiernet.net or call 712-662-4530. *All events are held at the Sac County Conservation Building in Hagge Park unless otherwise noted.

*Events may be cancelled if there are extreme weather conditions or if the minimum number of registered participants is not met.

September 2018

Monday the 10th SCCB at the Clay County Fair- 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Sac County Conservation will be stationed in the Sudholm Environmental Education Center (Log Cabin) to greet visitors at

the fair. Naturalist Megan will be giving a program on mammals at 10:00 AM, stop by and say hi!

Saturday the 15th Sandbar Stomp at Grant Park – 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Gear up for a different kind of hike, on a sandbar! Nets, collecting tubs and binoculars will all be on hand to help explore

what creatures live in and near the Raccoon River. Meet at the Grant Park camping information kiosk (below the shelter

house). Dress accordingly to be wet and muddy; shoes are encouraged to be worn while exploring land and water.

Program is open to all ages, free of charge, and pre-registration is appreciated.

Wednesday the 19th Knee High Naturalists: “Becoming Butterflies” - 10:00-10:45 AM OR 5:00-5:45 PM

Knee High Naturalists are children ages 2-4 and have an accompanying adult attend the program. This month we will be

reading the book “Becoming Butterflies” and participating in Monarch migration related crafts, activities, and snack! Some

activities may be outside, dress accordingly. Program is free of charge but registration is REQUIRED.

October 2018 Wednesday the 17th Knee High Naturalists: “The Salamander Room” - 10:00-10:45 AM OR 5:00-5:45 PM

Knee High Naturalists are children ages 2-4 and have an accompanying adult attend the program. This month we will be

reading the book “The Salamander Room” and participating in salamander related crafts, activities, and snack! Some

activities may be outside, dress accordingly. Program is of charge but registration is REQUIRED.

Monday the 29th Icky, Sticky, Slimy Animals – 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

In this program we will hit the trails in search of one of the most mysterious micro-habitats – the Rotten Log, home to

salamanders, snakes, insects, and arachnids. Who knows what creepy crawlers we will find! Then learn about and meet

some icky, sticky, and slimy animals. This program is open to all ages, free of charge, and pre-registration is appreciated.

November 2018 Thursday the 15th Turkey Talk- 7:00 PM

Think Iowa’s woodlands have always been home to strutting and gobbling wild turkeys? Think again—this species was over

harvested in the early 1900’s and made a return with some help. Come to this program to learn how a wild turkey makes a

living as well as some history of populations in Iowa. Program is free of charge, pre-registration appreciated and geared

towards an audience of 16+.

Wednesday the 21st Knee High Naturalists: “Little Tom Turkey” 10:00-10:45AM OR 5:00-5:45 PM

Knee High Naturalists are children ages 2-4 and have an accompanying adult attend the program. This month we will be

reading the book “Little Tom Turkey” and participating in turkey related crafts, activities, and snack! Program is free of

charge but registration is REQUIRED.

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Kid’s Korner

AUTUMN ORANGE YELLOW

HALLOWEEN SWEATER LEAVES

THANKSGIVING SCARF CORN

PUMPKIN FOOTBALL RED

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Nature News

Summer Program Photos

Sac County Safari Messy Mud

Announced and registration

opens in March. Watch

newsletter and Facebook

page for details.

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Events At A Glance

Sac County Conservation Board

Board Members

Chairperson Kenny Bentsen, Sac City

Vice Chairperson

Andy Meredith, Lake View

Secretary Rich Feilmeier, Early

Member

Dean Stock, Lake View

Member Elizabeth Partridge

Blessington, Auburn

Staff Executive Director

Chris Bass

Office Manager Jessica Meredith

Naturalist

Megan Cook

Meetings Board meetings are held monthly at the Sac County Conservation Building. These meetings are open to the public, contact the office for time and date if interested in attending.

Contact Information

Hagge Park Office

(712) 662-4530

Email: saccocon@frontiernet.net

The Sac County Conservation Board in the

provisions of services and facilities to the

public does not discriminate against

anyone on the basis of race, color, sex,

creed, national origin, age or handicap. If

anyone believes he or she has been

subjected to such discrimination, he or

she may file a complaint alleging

discrimination with either the Sac County

Conservation Board Office of the Office of

Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of

Interior, Washington D.C. 20240

Date Time Event September 2018 Monday the 10th 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM SCCB @ Clay County Fair

Saturday the 15th 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Sandbar Stomp @ Grant

Wednesday the 19th 10:00-10:45 AM or 5:00-5:45 PM KHN: Becoming Butterflies

October 2018 Wednesday the 17th 10:00-10:45 AM or 5:00-5:45 PM KHN: The Salamander Room

Monday the 29th 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Icky, Sticky, Slimy Animals

November 2018 Thursday the 15th 7:00 PM Turkey Talk

Wednesday the 21st 10:00-10:45 AM or 5:00-5:45 PM KHN: Little Tom Turkey

Register for events by calling the office (712) 662-4530 or email sccbnat@frontiernet.net

Conservation Center Notes

*Have a family, work, or group gathering coming up? Hagge, Grant and Rieff Park

shelter houses are available to rent through mid-October (weather depending).

The conservation center classroom basement which includes a classroom with a

full kitchen or the library are available to rent year round.

Call the office at (712) 662-4530 for details and availability.

*The center will be closed in observance of holidays on the following days:

Monday, September 3rd

Monday, November 12th

Thursday, November 22nd

Friday, November 23rd

*When visiting the conservation center, calling ahead is advised as duties

sometimes require all staff to be out of the office.