County to hunt for grape-eating insect

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  Light brown apple moths have been found in Cayucos, according to San Luis Obispo County agriculture officials. The adult insects were found in traps placed in residential landscapes.

• The Grapevine: Mendocino has much to brag about

  The Grapevine: Mendocino has much to brag about

  The Anderson Valley gets a lot of attention these days. And why not? Pinot noir has been the darling of the wine world in recent years, and Anderson Valley is the source of some stellar pinot.

  But Mendocino County encompasses so much more than the Anderson Valley. The bulk of the county’s more than 17,000 acres of wine grapes are inland. The leading grape varieties grown there are cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, but some of the most intriguing wines are made from less-widespread varieties, especially zinfandel and Italian grapes like barbera and nero d’avola.

  It’s hardly surprising that Italian grape varieties would thrive in Mendocino County. Many of the area’s early growers and vintners were of Italian descent. John Parducci for years was the face of Mendocino County winemaking. More recently, winemaker Greg Graziano—whose grandfather planted vineyards in Mendocino County in the early 20th century — has become known for wines made from Italian varieties under the Enotria and Monte Volpe labels.

• Heard it through the grapevine: The Wells garden in Paso Robles

  Heard it through the grapevine: The Wells garden in Paso Robles

  When Jon and Kathleen Wells of Paso Robles decided to re-landscape their small downtown front yard, they had two goals in mind: to replace the lawn with water-saving and deer-resistant plants and to create a welcoming patio where neighbors and friends could drop by and visit.

  They refer to their quaint street as “Wine Industry Row” because so many of the homeowners work in the thriving area wine industry. Jon and Kathleen enjoy their neighbors, and found themselves often standing in the front yard chatting and comparing wine notes.

  The Wellses had heard about landscape designer Marc Behymer, who specializes in maximizing outdoor living space. Behymer, a Cal Poly horticulture and design graduate, drew up a plan incorporating a large inviting patio under an open pergola extending the entire width of the house. A low stacked stone wall would surround the patio, and function as both extra seating and a visual border between the patio and new plantings.

• Storms may have killed off many stink bugs

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• Tips on how to effectively derail an ant attack

  Tips on how to effectively derail an ant attack

  Q:What is the best way to deal with ants? -- Jim Goldsmith, San Luis Obispo

  A:The lowly ant, seemingly insignificant, can put fear into even the most stoic of hearts. It may start as one erratic loner or a shock of military-style lines moving across walls, floors or garden beds. Small, but capable of moving at an astounding clip, ants mean business when it comes to feeding the colony and proliferating the species. Humble as it may be, the ant should be taken seriously as one of the most common pests. There are about 200 species that reside in California, but only a handful are considered problematic.

  Ants are equally annoying whether in the garden or indoors. But no matter where they are congregating, one thing is true: they are looking for food or water. Additionally, ants may move indoors in search of warmth or protection from the elements. In the garden, ants can have a devastating effect on plants. Generally they invade plants that have already been taken over by honeydew-producing insects such as