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JP McHale’s Ultimate Guide to Preventing Late Summer Pests: Stinging Insects, Carpenter Ants, Mosquitoes, and Ticks
It’s peak season for pests like stinging insects, carpenter ants, mosquitoes, and ticks. This is because the longer days and more abundant vegetation provide much more time and food for these pests to feed. Not only are they extremely active at this time, disrupting your late summer fun, these pests can pose significant health risks.
Here’s a guide to understanding and preventing these pests from spoiling your end-of-summer activities.
Stinging Insects including bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets, are particularly aggressive in late summer and fall due to a combination of factors including, a lack of food and water, their life cycle, and the weather. These insects can deliver painful stings, which may cause allergic reactions in some people.
Prevention Tips:
- Avoid Attractants: Keep food and drinks covered during outdoor activities and promptly clean up spills.
- Seal Entry Points: Ensure that windows, doors, and screens are in good repair to prevent these pests from entering your home.
- Remove Nests: Regularly inspect your property for wasp nests. If you find one, consider calling a professional to remove it safely.
- JP McHale’s Stinging Insect Protection works with the goal of mitigation treatment to eliminate the queen from the nest; once the queen is removed, the workers will go elsewhere to a new colony.
Carpenter Ants are large black or reddish ants that tunnel wood to build their nests, causing structural damage over time. They are particularly attracted to damp or decaying wood, which can be more prevalent with late summer rains.
Prevention Tips:
- Eliminate Moisture: Fix leaks and ensure proper drainage around your home to reduce damp wood that attracts carpenter ants.
- Seal Cracks: Seal any cracks or gaps in your home's foundation, windows, and doors to prevent entry.
- Remove Wood Debris: Clear away any wood debris, stumps, and logs around your home. Store firewood away from your house and off the ground.
- JP McHale’s Ant Management and Elimination Services features our highly trained team of pest management professionals who will eliminate carpenter ants from your home.
Mosquitoes are small flying insects that feed on blood. They are notorious for their itchy bites and can transmit diseases like the West Nile virus.
Prevention Tips:
- Eliminate Standing Water: Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Empty and clean birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, and other containers that collect water.
- Use Screens: Ensure that windows and doors have intact screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks when outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- JP McHale’s Organic Mosquito Control Program is environmentally friendly and completely safe for your family and pets. It includes four applications annually to help reduce the mosquito population on your property.
Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. They can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, which remains a concern through late summer into early fall.
Prevention Tips:
- Avoid Tick Habitats: Stay clear of tall grasses, wooded areas, and leaf piles where ticks are commonly found. Stick to the center of trails when hiking.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks. Tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants to prevent ticks from reaching your skin.
- Check for Ticks: After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check your body, clothes, and pets for ticks. Promptly remove any ticks using fine-tipped tweezers.
- JP McHale’s LymeGuard+Tick and Mosquito Service with the added protection of LymeShield, provides comprehensive coverage against ticks and the devastating diseases they transmit, like Lyme Disease. LymeSheid utilizes advanced technology in the form of six-well stations, which are strategically placed on your property to vaccinate Lyme-carrying mice. This way, the mice are no longer carrying the infection, and in turn, they are no longer able to pass that infection onto a tick which could then go on and spread the disease further to humans and other animals.
For more information, contact JP McHale Pest Management at (332) 213-5002 or visit https://nopests.com.
Attention, ‘The Office” fans —this is one night you won’t want to miss! On Thursday, November 7, 2025, The Palace Theatre Stamford welcomes actor, comedian, and author Rainn Wilson , best known for his unforgettable role as Dwight Schrute. The evening kicks off with a special screening of one of The Office’s most iconic episodes, setting the stage for the man who brought everyone’s favorite beet farmer and paper salesman to life. Then, Rainn Wilson takes the mic for a live conversation filled with behind-the-scenes stories, laugh-out-loud memories, and an inside look at what it was like to embody Dwight Schrute for nearly a decade. But the fun doesn’t stop there: VIP Experience – A limited number of VIP tickets are available, offering fans the rare chance to meet Rainn Wilson in person with a post-show photo opportunity . Dwight Schrute Lookalike Contest – Think you’ve got the mustard shirt, glasses, and middle-parted hair down perfectly? Prove it! Guests are invited to dress up as Dwight and compete in the ultimate lookalike contest, with accolades awaiting the best impersonators. More than just an evening of comedy, this event is a celebration of The Office’s enduring legacy, its unforgettable cast of characters, and the cultural impact of Dwight Schrute. Whether you’ve re-watched every episode a dozen times or are just discovering Dunder Mifflin, “A Live Conversation with Rainn Wilson” guarantees an evening of laughter, nostalgia, and stories straight from Scranton. Date: Thursday, November 7, 2025, | 8:00 PM Location: The Palace Theatre Stamford ️Tickets are on sale now at palacestamford.org. Don’t miss your chance to spend a night with Rainn Wilson and celebrate the genius of Dwight Schrute.
Get ready for a spooktacular, fun-filled day as CityCenter Danbury, in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Greater Danbury , presents the 33 rd Annual Halloween on the Green on Saturday, October 25, 2024, from 1 pm to 4 pm ! CityCenter Green on Ives Street will be transformed into a magical Halloween playground, perfect for children and their families to enjoy an afternoon of trick-or-treating, costumes, and festive fun! Kids can show off their most creative costumes in the lively Children’s Costume Parade , where prizes will be awarded for the Most Original , Scariest , and Cutest costumes. The first 800 children in costume will receive goodie bags, courtesy of AFC Urgent Care , so be sure to arrive early! Expect plenty of thrills and chills with local vendors , music to get you in the Halloween spirit, a whimsical photo booth and a variety of kid-friendly activities that are sure to entertain the whole family! This free event is open to the public, rain or shine. In case of rain, the festivities will move to the spooky setting of Patriot Garage on parking level 4. Convenient parking is available at the Patriot Parking Garage, located right next to the Green (21 Delay St.). Bring your best costumes, your Halloween spirit, and your family for an afternoon of ghoulish delights and fun on the Green!
Fairfield County is bursting with things to do this season, offering a perfect mix of fall charm and local entertainment. From scenic pumpkin and apple picking outings to thrilling haunted attractions, elegant wine pairings, and outstanding live music performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Explore this week’s curated list of happenings in and around Fairfield County and make the most of this vibrant autumn. Thursday, October 9 Bethel: Blue Jay Orchards PYO Pumpkins & Wagon Rides(11am-5pm) Danbury: Line Dancing every Thursday night at Elicit Brewing Danbury(7pm) Danbury: Thursday Open Jam w/ Sugar House LIVE at Sugar Hallow Taproom(8pm-11pm) Fairfield: Some Hacks LIVE at The Sinclair(8:30pm) Guilford: Bishop's Orchards Corn Maze & Hay Ride(9am-5pm) Higganum: Pumpkin Patch at Halfinger Farms(9am-6pm) Middlefield: Lyman Orchards Corn Maze & Pumpkin Picking(1pm-5:30pm) 📣Newtown: Brennan Orie LIVE at Aquila's Nest Vineyards(5:30pm-8:30pm) Norwalk: Live music with STEVEN KEITH!(5:30pm-8:30pm) Norwalk: Live Himalayan Music at Himalaya SoNo(6:30pm-8:30pm) North Branford: Rose Orchards Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch(7am-6pm) South Windsor: Foster Family Farm Corn Maze(10am-6pm) Thompson: Fort Hill Farms Corn Maze Adventure(12pm-4pm) Old Greenwich: Mojo LIVE at Bosco's Bar & Grill(9pm-12am) Ridgefield: Dr. Caterwaul's Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps LIVE at Nod Hill Brewery(6:30pm) 📣Stamford: Comedian Phil Hanley at New York Comedy Club Stamford(7pm) Friday, October 10 Bridgeport: Gab Kallay LIVE at Port 5(5pm-8:30pm) Bethel: SHAWN TAYLOR LIVE at Shakedown Street(6:30pm) Bethel: GORJA LIVE at Notch 8(8pm) 📣Bethel, NY: Peace, Love & Pumpkins at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts(6:30pm-10pm) Bethel: Blue Jay Orchards PYO Pumpkins & Wagon Rides(11am-5pm) Cos Cob: The Bar Car Band LIVE at St. Lawrence Society(7pm-10am) Danbury: DJ J.R LIVE at Elicit Brewing Danbury(10pm) Danbury: Shot Down LIVE at Elicit Brewing Danbury(9pm) Danbury: Glenn Roth LIVE at Charter Oak Taproom(6:30pm-8:30pm) Fairfield: DJ SKILLZ LIVE at Elicit Brewing Fairfield(10pm) Fairfield: Harvest Fair Halloween Haunt(7pm-10pm) Fairfield: Rhythm City LIVE at Elicit Brewing Fairfield(8pm) Fairfield: The Amish Outlaws LIVE at The Warehouse FTC(8pm) Guilford: Bishop's Orchards Corn Maze & Hay Ride(9am-5pm) Higganum: Pumpkin Patch at Halfinger Farms(9am-6pm) Middlefield: Lyman Orchards Corn Maze & Pumpkin Picking(1pm-5:30pm) 📣Newtown: Yappy Hour - Bring Your Furry Friends at Aquila's Nest Vineyards(6pm) 📣Newtown: Arberesh Music with Peppa Marriti Band at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards(6pm) Newtown: Birdsey Beers LIVE at Reverie Brewing(6pm-9pm) Newtown: Johnny Chapman - LIVE at Newsylum Brewing Co.(6pm-9pm) 📣Newtown: Magical Mystery Doors at Edmond Town Hall(8pm-10pm) Newtown: Al Rivoli LIVE at Perfusion Bar(8pm-11pm) 📣Norwalk: Quinn & Trug LIVE at SONO 1420(6pm-9pm) Norwalk: Live Himalayan Music at Himalaya SoNo(6:30pm-8:30pm) Norwalk: DKP Band LIVE at Odeen’s Norwalk(7pm) Norwalk: What Up Funk Band LIVE at 314 Beer Garden(7:30pm-10:30pm) North Salem, NY: Mystic Moon at Harvest Moon Farm and Orchards(7pm) North Branford: Rose Orchards Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch(7am-6pm) New Haven: Ghosts of New Haven(7:30pm) Rye, NY: Scarded By The Sound at Playland(11pm) Ridgefield: Paris Monster LIVE at Nod Hill Brewery(6pm) Rowayton: Tin Sandwich LIVE at Sails American Grill(9:30pm) Shelton: Pimpinella LIVE at Pier 131(9:30pm) Sherman: MahJongg Fridays LIVE at JCC in Sherman(12pm) 📣Stamford: Comedian Phil Hanley at New York Comedy Club Stamford(7pm-9:30pm) 📣Stamford: Trey Kennedy at The Palace Stamford(8pm) South Windsor: Foster Family Farm Corn Maze(10am-6pm) Thompson: Fort Hill Farms Corn Maze Adventure(12pm-4pm) Westport: Vertigo LIVE at Black Duck Cafe(9:30pm) Saturday,October 11 Bethlehem: Garlic & Harvest Festival(9am-6pm) Bethel: IRIS LIES LIVE at Shakedown Street(6:30pm) Bethel: LOST REBEL LIVE at Notch 8(8pm) 📣Bethel, NY: Peace, Love & Pumpkins at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts(6:30pm-10pm) Bethel: Blue Jay Orchards PYO Pumpkins & Wagon Rides(10am-5pm) Danbury: DJ DOUBLE G LIVE at Elicit Brewing Danbury(10pm) Danbury: The Archives LIVE at Elicit Brewing Danbury(9pm) Danbury: PIMPINELLA LIVE at Sugar Hallow Taproom(8:30pm) Easton: Pumpkin Patch at Silverman's Farm(9am-5pm) Fairfield: DJ PUZZO LIVE at Elicit Brewing Fairfield(10pm) Fairfield: The Pop Rocks LIVE at Elicit Brewing Fairfield(9pm) Fairfield: Struggle Monkey LIVE at Elicit Brewing Fairfield(9pm) Fairfield: Symbio – Dinner and Concert(6pm-9pm) Fairfield: Roomful of Blues LIVE at StageOne FTC(8pm) Goshen: Fall Festival on the Zoo Farm - Action Wildlife Foundation(5pm) Guilford: Bishop's Orchards Corn Maze & Hay Ride(9am-5pm) Higganum: Pumpkin Patch at Halfinger Farms(9am-5pm) Hunter, NY: OKTOBERFEST at Hunter Mountain(11am-6pm) Lebanon: 27th Annual Connecticut Renaissance Faire(10:30am-6pm) Lebanon: Adults-Only Halloween Party at The Connecticut Renaissance Faire(6pm-9pm) Litchfield: Bunnell Farm Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch(10am-5pm) Middlefield: Lyman Orchards Corn Maze & Pumpkin Picking(1pm-5:30pm) Milford: WRATHCHILD Iron Maiden tribute at Anthony D's(9:30pm) New Canaan: Captain Obvious LIVE at Gates Restaurant & Bar(8:30pm-11:30pm) New Canaan: Allman Brothers Tribute @ Carriage Barn Art Center(6pm-10pm) New Milford: Scarrybrooke Park CT's Haunted Trail(6pm) 📣Newtown: Fall Belgian Chocolate and Wine Pairing at Aquila's Nest Vineyards(12pm) 📣Newtown: Sentinel Salt LIVE at Aquila's Nest Vineyards(2pm-5pm) Newtown: Lakeside LIVE at Newsylum Brewing(3pm-6pm) 📣Newtown: Country Music Tribute ft Casey Wayne at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards(6pm) Newtown: MOMbies DJ Night: Raising Spirits & Funds at Aquila's Nest Vineyards(6:30pm) Newtown: The Headliners Club featuring Graham Kay, Erin Maguire, Gastor Almonte at Edmond Town Hall(8pm) Newtown: Nick DiMaria Jazz Quartet LIVE at Perfusion Bar(8pm-11pm) Newtown: Fall Festival at Castle Hill Farm(10am-5pm) Norwalk: Live Himalayan Music at Himalaya SoNo(8:30pm) Norwalk: Mind The Gap LIVE at 314 Beer Garden(7pm-11pm) North Salem, NY: Mystic Moon at Harvest Moon Farm and Orchards(7pm) North Branford: Rose Orchards Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch(7am-6pm) New Haven: Ghosts of New Haven(7:30pm) Old Greenwich: Cooked Up LIVE at Bosco's Bar & Grill(9pm-12am) Prospect: 21st Annual Town of Prospect Pumpkin Festival(4pm-8pm) Redding: Mr. Know It All LIVE at Milestone(8pm) Ridgefield: Frank Viele LIVE at Nod Hill Brewery(4pm) Shelton: Legends of Fear(7pm) Shelton: Happy Sally LIVE at Pier 131(9:30pm-12am) Sherman: Cover to Cover LIVE at JCC In Sherman(7pm-9pm) Stamford: That's Amore! Italian Fest in Mill River Park(12pm-9pm) 📣Stamford: Swan Lake at The Palace Stamford(7pm) 📣Stamford: Comedian Phil Hanley at New York Comedy Club Stamford(7pm-9:30pm) Stamford: Blood-Manor(6pm-10pm) South Windsor: Foster Family Farm Corn Maze(10am-6pm) Trumbull: Trumbull Health & Wellness Fair(10am-2pm) Thompson: Fort Hill Farms Corn Maze Adventure(12pm-4pm) Wilton: Beauty is Resistance: art as antidote(11am-6pm) Westport: MoCA\CT Sessions: Latinx Musical Identities(7pm-9pm) Westport: Pimpinella LIVE at Black Duck Cafe(9:30pm) Windsor: Pumpkin Patches, Hay Rides and Mazes / Corn at Brown's Harvest(10am-5pm) Sunday,October 12 Bethlehem: Garlic & Harvest Festival(9am-5pm) Bridgeport: Sal Grillo LIVE at Port 5(3pm) Bethel: BRUNCH - ROBERT FULLERTON LIVE at Shakedown Street(12pm) Bethel: Mystery Train LIVE at Notch 8(4pm) Bethel: Blue Jay Orchards PYO Pumpkins & Wagon Rides(10am-5pm) Danbury: Pets in the Park(11am-4pm) Danbury: Dirty Doorknockers + Dad’s Grill LIVE at Charter Oak Taproom(3pm-5pm) Easton: Pumpkin Patch at Silverman's Farm(9am-5pm) Guilford: Bishop's Orchards Corn Maze & Hay Ride(9am-5pm) Higganum: Pumpkin Patch at Halfinger Farms(9am-5pm) Hunter, NY: OKTOBERFEST at Hunter Mountain(11am-6pm) Lebanon: 27th Annual Connecticut Renaissance Faire(10:30pm-6pm) Litchfield: Bunnell Farm Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch(10am-5pm) Middlefield: Lyman Orchards Corn Maze & Pumpkin Picking(1pm-5:30pm) Newtown: Chris Cavaliere LIVE at Reverie Brewing(2pm-5pm) Newtown: Jeff Summa & The Roasters LIVE at Newsylum Brewing(2pm-5pm) 📣Newtown: Tony & The West Siders LIVE at Aquila's Nest Vineyards(2pm-5pm) 📣Newtown: Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards(6pm) Newtown: Fall Festival at Castle Hill Farm(10am-5pm) Norwalk: Traffic Jam LIVE at 314 Beer Garden(3pm-6pm) Norwalk: Live Himalayan Music at Himalaya SoNo(6:30pm-8:30pm) New Haven: Ghosts of New Haven(7:30pm) Ridgefield: Dan Tressler & Friends LIVE at Nod Hill Brewery(2pm) Stamford: That's Amore! Italian Fest in Mill River Park(12pm-9pm) Wilton: Beauty is Resistance: art as antidote(11am-6pm) Windsor: Pumpkin Patches, Hay Rides and Mazes / Corn at Brown's Harvest(10am-5pm)
There’s something special about The Lodge at the Riverbank Ramble —a place where music feels personal, stories unfold in song, and audiences become part of the experience. This unique and intimate venue has built a reputation for bringing top local and regional artists up close and center stage, creating one-of-a-kind musical moments that stay with you long after the last note fades. As the 2025 season comes to a close, The Lodge is ending on a high note with an unforgettable evening on Thursday, October 16, featuring two of the area’s most talented and expressive performers. Don Zlotnick Kicking off the night is Don Zlotnick, whose contemporary Americana sound blends his love of classic rock and blues into something both familiar and fresh. His evocative lyrics, magnetic stage presence, and soulful energy draw listeners in, creating a connection that feels genuine and deeply human. Christine Chanel Following Don, Christine Chanel takes the stage with her signature indie-soul sound—lush, emotional, and impossible to ignore. Known for her powerful vocals and resonant hooks, Christine delivers every song with heart, crafting a performance that lingers long after the final chord. Bring your favorite beverages, pack a few snacks, and settle in for a cozy evening surrounded by music lovers and exceptional artistry. Whether you’re a regular at The Lodge or experiencing it for the first time, this event promises an atmosphere that’s warm, welcoming, and full of musical magic. 🎟 Seats are limited! Reserve your spot now before this final show of the year sells out — click here to save your spot.
Let’s do the Time Warp…again! The Rocky Horror Picture Show isn’t just a movie — it’s a ritual. It’s the midnight crowd, the shadow cast, the call-backs, the props, and yes, the dance (that’s the Time Warp). As 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the cult-classic film, Connecticut is lighting up with screenings, themed events, and even appearances by original cast members. Whether you’re a longtime Transylvanian or a first-time “sweet transvestite,” here’s where to get your dance on across the state — plus a few ideas for how to make the most of your Rocky Horror night out. 👄 A Little History of a Cult Classic When The Rocky Horror Picture Show premiered in 1975, it was considered a flop. But the film’s afterlife became nothing short of legendary. Midnight screenings and participatory audiences transformed it into a global phenomenon. What began as an oddball musical became a communal experience: dress up, shout the lines, throw props, and dance the Time Warp. Nearly five decades later, it continues to unite audiences in joy, weirdness, and unapologetic self-expression. And this year, the celebrations in Connecticut are going big — with restored 4K screenings, roller derby mash-ups, ska-fueled parties, shadow casts, and celebrity appearances. Where to Time Warp in Connecticut & New York October 19, 2025 – 5:30 PM ROLLER MAGIC – 4th Annual Rocky Horror Bout 60 Harvester Road, Waterbury, CT Lace up those skates and get ready for a Rocky-inspired roller derby event like no other. October 23 – 25, 2025 Avon Theatre – Movie Only 272 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT October 23 – 9:00 PM October 24 – 11:00 PM October 25 – 11:00 PM Classic screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show return to downtown Stamford’s historic theatre for three nights of audience participation and pure camp. October 24, 2025 – 7:30 PM Edmond Town Hall – Movie Only 45 Main Street, Newtown, CT An intimate community screening in one of Fairfield County’s favorite historic venues. October 24, 2025 – 8:00 PM Fairfield Theatre Company – The Warehouse 70 Sanford Street, Fairfield, CT Featuring special guest Rhea Ruggiero — a true treat for fans of the original film. October 25, 2025 – 7:00 PM Strand Theater 165 Main Street, Seymour, CT Join the fun with a costume contest and prop bags available on-site. October 25, 2025 – 7:30 PM Edmond Town Hall – Live Shadow Cast with the Come Again Players 45 Main Street, Newtown, CT Experience Rocky Horror as it was meant to be seen — with a live shadow cast bringing the madness to life right before your eyes. October 25, 2025 – 9:30 PM Tarrytown Music Hall 13 Main Street, Tarrytown, NY A short drive from Fairfield County, this legendary venue hosts a live shadow cast that always sells out — so grab your tickets early. October 30, 2025 – 7:30 PM Warner Theatre – Oneglia Auditorium 68 Main Street, Torrington, CT Featuring Barry Bostwick, the original Brad Majors himself! VIP meet & greet and special seating available. October 31, 2025 – 8:00 PM Paramount Hudson Valley Theater 1008 Brown Street, Peekskill, NY Close out spooky season with a Halloween-night screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in one of the Hudson Valley’s most beautiful theaters. 🩸 Tips for a Perfect Rocky Horror Night Know the callbacks — half the fun is shouting at the screen. Dress the part — think corsets, fishnets, and over-the-top glam. Dance the Time Warp — because once you start, there’s no going back. ✨ Ready to give yourself over to absolute pleasure? Grab your tickets, call your fellow creatures of the night, and let this 50th anniversary celebration remind you why The Rocky Horror Picture Show still thrills after all these years.
Get ready to dance, sing, and relive the magic of ABBA when ATC The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA comes to The Palace Theatre Stamford on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 8PM . For more than 20 years, ATC The Concert has wowed audiences across North America with dazzling performances of ABBA’s greatest hits. Presented by 21st Century Artists , the show is hailed as the top ABBA tribute in the world. Fans and press agree: “This is the closest to ABBA you’ll ever get!” The concert captures the look, sound, and spirit of ABBA with soaring vocals, vibrant costumes, and all the songs you know by heart. Sing along to timeless favorites including: Mamma Mia Dancing Queen Waterloo S.O.S Knowing Me, Knowing You Money, Money, Money Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Each performance is a full-scale celebration of ABBA’s iconic music and infectious energy. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering ABBA for the first time, this is a show you won’t forget. COME DANCE, COME SING, AND HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE! 📍 The Palace Theatre Stamford 📅 Saturday, October 25, 2025 ⏰ Showtime: 8:00 PM (Doors open 7:00 PM) 🎟 Get Your Tickets Now