Gem of the Highlands - Norwood Garden Club

06/19/2026

06/15/2026

06/13/2026

Firefly populations in Ohio don't just need darkness and less pesticide - they need specific plants at ground level that most yards stopped growing decades ago. A handful of natives bring that habitat back quietly and reliably.

05/20/2026

Today is National Bee Day. 🐝
Bees are small but incredibly important. They pollinate many of the plants that provide the food we eat and support healthy ecosystems.
At the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, we are committed to protecting pollinators by planting pollinator-friendly gardens and supporting habitats that help bees and other species thrive.
You can help by planting native flowers, reducing pesticide use, and creating spaces that provide food and shelter for pollinators. 🌷🌱

05/19/2026

Mosquito control can feel urgent, especially when bites start piling up. But broad spraying often affects far more than mosquitoes. It can also harm pollinators like bees and butterflies, along with beneficial insects such as ladybugs.

These species help keep gardens, plants, and food systems healthy. When their numbers decline, the effects can spread through local ecosystems in ways that are not always immediately visible.

Most of these insects are not the intended target. Still, they may be exposed when broad-spectrum pesticides are used. A single spray can affect large numbers of beneficial insects that help maintain natural balance. What begins as a solution to one problem can sometimes create others by disrupting pollination and natural pest control already happening in the environment.

There are safer ways to reduce mosquito exposure while limiting harm to other wildlife:

1️⃣ Remove standing water where mosquitoes breed
2️⃣ Use outdoor fans to make it harder for mosquitoes to fly
3️⃣ Plant natural mosquito-repelling plants
4️⃣ Support natural predators like birds and bats
5️⃣ Choose targeted mosquito control methods when needed

Targeted approaches can help reduce mosquitoes more precisely without affecting as many non-target species.

Small choices matter. A more thoughtful approach can help protect both your comfort and the living systems that surround it.