Goal For The Green

With gas prices quickly approaching $3.00 a gallon, perhaps you’re wondering if you will even get to go on a vacation this year.  Instead of another “staycation,” at least try and save some ” green” and plan a “green” vacation.

Did you know Cleveland is going green?  First time visitors my not realize that Cleveland, is situated on the beautiful blue shores of Lake Erie.  You can even, charter a fishing boat, and cruise the Cuyahoga River, or set sail for Lake Erie Islands.

Cleveland became known as the city of the burning river, after a huge industrial fire along the Cuyahoga River in 1969.  Now, you can visit and learn about the rebirth of the Cuyahoga River, and see why Cleveland has now become an eco-friendly hot spot.

Positively Cleveland,  has compile a wonderful list of 75 Green Things In Cleveland Plus , to check out and enjoy.   Thay also have a card called the Cleveland Plus Pass, that’ll make your trip easy and more affordable.  It gives you access to ten major attractions and other traveler discounts in the region.  You can purchase for Adult, Youth or Senior passes, for 2, 3, or 5 days.  A pass saves you 30% off general admission to the participating venues in the area.   They are making Cleveland a great place to save “green” and enjoy great family fun.  Now, you have no reason to not go on a vacation this summer.  So, jump on the fun wagon and enjoy!

See where the cutest ladybugs live!

Ladybugs are also known as ladybirds.  They are not just considered one ladybug, but a family of them.  There are nearly 5,000 different species of ladybugs, of which more than 400 species are common in North America.

In her lifetime, (usually several months) a female ladybug will lay more than 1,000 eggs. The male ladybug is slightly smaller than the female.  As they age, their spots fade.  Under the right conditions , the Asian Lady Beetle,  can have a lifespan of 2-3 years.

When they fly, they beat their wings on an average of 85 times per second.  However, they won’t fly if the temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.  They also, don’t like being in direct sunlight and hot temperatures.

It has been said that ladybugs stink.  This is because, if they sense that they are in danger, they can create a chemical smell that both stinks and tastes terrible, so that birds and other predators won’t eat them.  Pretty smart for a little bug.

Their favorite food is aphids, of which they will eat more than 5,000 in their lifetime. No wonder they are so valuable to your garden.  They chew their food from side to side.

It has been said that Red Ladybugs are a symbol of “luck.”  Fact is, we are the “lucky” ones, when ladybugs show up in our gardens and eat our unwanted garden pests!

See where the cutest ladybugs live!

Most ladybugs are voracious, mighty little predators.  They are often referred to as a “gardener’s best friend.” This is because they can effectively control garden pests that are harmful to both our vegetable and flower gardens.

Ladybugs eat mostly aphids, (a small green soft bodied insect that thrives on plant juices), mites and scales.  All of these types of insects are harmful to many crop plants, and are considered to be serious pests to plant life in general.  Even as larva, ladybugs eat aphids, and other soft bodied insects such as mites, white flies, and scale insects that can devour a garden.  There are some species of ladybugs that can be considered as vegetarian, preferring to eat mushrooms and various forms of fungus.  Some like to dine on mildew, while others do prefer eating leaves, and may become a pest to some plants.

The majority of ladybugs, however, are not considered to be pests.  They can effectively keep a garden aphid and pest free, making them a natural and chemical free form of pest control.  In many areas they can be purchased to help keep your garden pest free.

It’s as amazing, as it is wonderful that by what this little creature eats,  it is helping us humans, by keeping the food that we grow and eat pest free!

See where the cutest ladybugs live!