Monsoon Season = Mosquitoes!

Mosquitoes have a serious impact on the health, comfort, and economic welfare of people. Some mosquito species transmit diseases to people and animals.  Not only can mosquitoes interfere with outdoor work and recreation, they also can make people very sick. Mosquitoes in southern Arizona can spread diseases such as West Nile virus, Dengue and Chikungunya.  Regardless of the hot and normally dry temperatures, mosquitoes are active day and night throughout the year, especially during the monsoon season. The best way to protect yourself, family, and your community is to take measures to prevent mosquito bites. 

Keep mosquitoes off of your body – During monsoon season, think about wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.  If you are not wearing long-sleeved pants and shirts, use insect repellent on exposed skin.

Keep mosquitoes out of your yard – Walk through your yard and check for areas that collect water.  Standing water is the ideal place for mosquitoes to breed, so change outdoor pet water daily and replace with fresh water and make sure things like plant containers, tires, or other items are not collecting water.

Keep mosquitoes out of your house – If you want the fresh air in the evening, feel free to open your windows, but check your window screens for holes and repair immediately.  Do not leave doors open if you do not have a screen door to act as a mosquito barrier.

Other good reminders:  Use mosquito repellants that contain DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.  Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets, and move air conditioner drain hoses frequently.  Report mosquito breeding problems (e.g., green pools) to 520 724-7908.

Source: AAA Landscaping & Pima County Health Department

To learn more on some preventive steps that you can easily take, go to the Pima County Health Web Site – click HERE.

String Lighting – A Community Wide Issue

Over the past four months, there has been an increase in non-compliant lighting violations.  String and decorative lighting are examples of non-compliant lighting.  As a friendly reminder, this is not permitted in the Rancho Vistoso Community, according to the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs):

Per the CC&R’s Article V, 5.3.6 Exterior Lighting.  Exterior lighting should be governed as follows: (a) “All exterior building lighting shall be hidden from view and shall be designed, installed, directed, altered and maintained in accordance with plans and specifications submitted to and approved by the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee in accordance with the provisions of Article IV hereof. 

Please adhere to the CC&Rs.  Thank you for your attention to this matter. Also, refer to the Common Project Design Guidelines for lighting on our community website: www.ranchovistosohoa.com.     

Won’t You be my Neighbor?

Nesting, hibernating, cocooning, or whatever term you coined to describe your life during COVID, hopefully, it’s coming to an end! This new beginning brings opportunity to heighten our awareness of being neighborly.  While there are myriad ways to be a good neighbor, a few ways rise to the top of the list. Among those are:

1. Keep your yard neat, tidy, and well-trimmed. Pick up any stray paper or rubbish that escaped your refuse container. If you don’t, the wind will likely blow it into your neighbor’s yard; it will still detract from the look of the collective community, and thus detracts, however slightly, from your home value.
2. Good neighbors are thoughtful of the amount of noise coming from their home or yard. If your neighbor has a baby who is sick or always naps between 2-4 PM, if your schedule allows, give that mom a break, and don’t wake the baby. That makes for a cranky baby, and an even crankier neighbor!
3. Speaking of cranky neighbors, this will get most neighbors cranky in a hurry… a barking dog. Your neighbors aren’t likely to be as fond of your dog as you are, and they definitely won’t be fond of her barking.
4. And then there is this. This! Pick up after your pet. We’ve all likely had the experience of stepping in pet poo. Nothing brings forth a litany of naughty words much quicker! ‘Nuff said! Pack the poo all the way back to your house, even if your neighbor’s refuse can is handier!
5. A quick “hello,” a warm smile, and a wave are all that are needed to create and maintain a friendly community. In this age of so much social media, one of the upsides is the creation of community platforms that allow everyone to share the names of the best electrician or plumber in town or to let everyone know a large pack of javelinas are on the loose in the neighborhood.  One of the downsides of such platforms, however, is that bruised egos can result in lightning-fast retorts, and responses fired off before all the facts are known; this can result in hurt feelings and neighbors “taking sides.” Consider speaking directly with your neighbor if you have a concern.
6. Lastly, words and actions have tremendous power. Be respectful of others in your neighborhood in all you say and do.  Say “hello,” and get to know your neighbors.  Speak well of your neighbors and your community. Today may be the perfect day to start.  Who knows, you may have a new friend and neighbor!