Crestview schools are back in session starting Wednesday, so please drive carefully to ensure our students have a safe year.
Judging by the weather, summer is still in full swing; it is still hot and humid outside. Unfortunately, summertime pests are still with us: flies, mosquitoes, ants and copperhead snakes, as is the two-legged type of snake — scammers looking for ways to defraud and steal our hard-earned money.
I have lived here many years and still haven't figured out the solution to summer flies. Unfortunately, I am not quick enough to kill them with a fly swatter, so I rely on sticky fly strips and my husband, Jim, to swat them.
Imagine my popularity with Jim when we found ants in our bed, courtesy of my feeding the cats their canned food on the bed and then putting the used cans in a bag next to me on the floor to take out the next day.
It didn't take the ants long to find those seemingly empty cans, nor did it take them long to begin to bite me in earnest. (Note to self: put the empty cat food cans outside in the trash if you don't want to be a yummy treat for the ants.)
I really itch, but at least they aren't fire ant bites.
Here's another warning. Some of our fellow church members who live in the country have been finding copperhead snakes in their yards. Carefully watch where you walk, and be aware of any areas in which your children and pets play. Cautiously walk these areas first to make sure they are snake-free.
About those other "flies": I just received a bulletin from the IRS stating that the summer has brought out scam artists who are once again using robo-calls and leaving threatening messages for immediate payment of back taxes.
Some messages request you call back and verify your tax return information. Do not call them back and give out any personal information.
The IRS never demands immediate payment over the phone and never in the form of gift cards or iTunes cards.
If you receive a threatening call demanding payment or saying an arrest warrant will be issued or some other dire consequence, immediately hang up and call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.
Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Summertime pests are out in force