How Growing Native Plants Helps Insects and Birds

Carolina Wild Petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) is one native plant found in our wildlife habitat. It provides Nectar and may attract Hummingbirds, Mockingbirds, Thrashers, Orioles, Sparrows, Vireos, Waxwings, and Wood Warblers 

I went to an Audubon "Plants for Birds" program this Saturday and learned why native plants are important for birds. The presentation was given by Melissa Lammers of Halifax River Audubon at the Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center. The following stood out from the presentation: 

Native plants are essential for healthy insect and bird populations, buy why? Ninety percent of plant-eating insects eat only native plants with whom they co-evolved. Ninety-six percent of land birds feed insects to their babies, who need the protein to grow. A nest of chickadees requires 570 caterpillars per day, which is 9000 caterpillars per nest. Common yard plants like Crotons and Philodendron do not provide food to insects, and 80% of the suburban landscape is sterile with these types of non-native plants. In contrast oaks support 557 species of caterpillars. Some common native plants for Florida are Live Oaks, Beauty Berry, Cedar, Pine, Magnolia, Spiderwort, purple Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) vine, Pine, Beach Dune Flower, Blanket Flower, and even common Ragweed. In a before an after “yard makeover” one household found that by increasing the number of native plant species in their yard from 2 to 60, the variety of birds species increased from only 4 to 18. A good goal for a yard or a lot is 70% native species of plants. 

It's very simple to remember this way: 
No natives, no insects 
No insects, no birds 

To find out recommended natives species of plants for your area visit: http://www.audubon.com/native-plants and enter your zip code.

Help Bird and Insect Populations with your Yard or Garden

Florida Native Wildflower Monarda punctata (spotted Horsemint)

According to scientists who published in the journal Science this month the number of birds in the United States and Canada has declined by 3 billion over the past 50 years. That is nearly 30 percent of bird populations, and not just rare or endangered bird species but also common birds. Birds particularly impacted are those which feed on insects.  This downward trend runs parallel to a downward global trend in insect populations. A few of the suggested causes for the insect decline include habitat destruction caused by urbanisation, pesticides, climate change, and artificial lighting.

 There are two easy ways that you can help make a difference in healthy insect and bird populations. First, eliminate pesticides from your yard, and second grow a garden. Any size garden is helpful, even potted patio plants. Native plants for the yard are low maintenance and act as host plants for insects and pollinators. Another good place to start is with an Organic soil mix and seeds of native wildflowers. Look for native wildflowers and plants at your local farmer's markets.

Florida Wildflower Tropical Sage,  photo by Carl E Lewis (CC BY 2.0)

Aquarian Bath is doing our part to improve habitat for birds and insects! We were recently featured in the Daytona Beach News Journal for creating a certified wildlife habitat though the National Wildlife Federation and the Florida Wildlife Federation.

Clip of News Journal Article "Local business makes a difference to protect wildlife" Sept 2019

Ormond Beach Lecture: Single Use Plastics: Understanding the Need for Commercial Composting

Saturday October 12, 2019 11-12 pm
Ormond Beach  Environmental Discovery Center
601 Division Ave
Learn the facts about single use plastic and what you can do to make a difference.
Reserved your seat by calling 386-615-7081

Check out Mimosa Saturdays at Beehive Antiques in Daytona Beach

Start your weekend right with a free mimosa while sipping and shopping over a dozen great antique dealers and Aquarian Bath soaps and shampoos in the new Beehive Antiques 3000 sq foot location at 1019 Ridgewood Ave, Daytona Beach, FL.

Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 10 AM – 5 PM  

Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 10 AM – 5 PM  

Plastic Free July Sale

Are you ready for a challenge? What plastic items can you give up during the month of July? Straws, cups, plastic shopping bags, something else? We would like to help anyone trying the plastic free July challenge by offering a discount on our products, because we have so many plastic-free bath and body items. Learn more about Plastic Free July and sign up for the challenge by visiting http://www.plasticfreejuly.org.

Aquarian Bath coupons

• At AquarianBath.com take 15% off your order with the coupon code PFJ2019 valid now through July 22, 2019
• At Aquarian Bath on Etsy take 10% off orders $20 and up with the coupon code PLASTICFREEJULY2019 valid July 1 - July 22
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Limited Edition Silver Fir Shampoo bar

Zero Waste Soap Saver Set with shampoo bar of your choice

Go Drastic on Plastic Photography Challenge - Volusia County

Healing Arts Festival at Hot House Yoga:Sunday, April 28th

Join Aquarian Bath at the Hot House Yoga studio on Sunday, April 28 from 4 - 7 PM. 

We will be bringing hot/cold therapy neck pillows, eye pillows, soaps, shampoo bars, shea butter, lip balms, deodorant, tooth powders, and solid perfumes. Hope to see you there! You can RSVP at the Facebook event page.

Daytona Beach Earth Day Fest: Monday, April 22 at Cinematique

Earth Day is Monday April 22nd! Please join Aquarian Bath at this community event with demonstrations, vendors, open mic and free beverages. See you there from 3 - 9 PM. Aquarian Bath will be bringing our most popular ecofriendly items for sale. Brought to you by Permaculture Daytona! BYOC (bring your own cup)! Go green- Carpool, bike, walk, or bus!

You can RSVP at the Facebook event page. 

Go Drastic on Plastic Event at the Ormond Beach Library April 28th

Go Drastic on Plastic Event at the Ormond Beach Library 

Sunday April 28th  1:30 pm - 4:30 pm.

Educational film and guess speakers.

Raffle prize with plastic-free products by Aquarian Bath.

Soap Grafting, a simple zero waste hack to make your bars last longer

If you have one wet Aquarian Bath soap or shampoo bar sliver, you can easily fuse it to another soap or shampoo bars. Just squeeze the two bars together and set them aside to completely dry out. This is a great alternative to wasting the last bit of your soap or loosing a small piece of shampoo bar in your hair! 

We also have Organic cotton/ Hemp soap saver sets to go with your soap and shampoo bars if you prefer. 

Lavender Jojoba Hair Serum now available in Plastic free refill bottles and new scent.

Aquarian Bath's leave in hair serum is now available in a refill bottle with a metal lid. I also just added a new scent which is currently only available in the refill bottles: Patchouli Mint with Patchouli, Spearmint, and Peppermint essential oils. I have a similar blend that I was using for my hair that is constantly getting comment while I'm in the locker room or as I'm leaving the YMCA. I tried to recreate it as best I could!

Seaside Herb Society Faire Saturday March 30th in Ormond Beach

The annual Seaside Herb Society Faire will be held Saturday March 30th from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the regular location at the Bailey Riverbridge Gardens, 1 North Beach Street, Ormond Beach. We will be bringing our most popular Aquarian Bath soaps and shampoo bars, and any other items upon request. I have also heard that Meg from Herb and Spice Scentsations will return to the faire with her wonderful spice blends, which I'm looking forward to restocking. Mark your calendars and hope to see you there next month. 

Short list of Aquarian Bath items to be available at the fair:

Unscented and Lavender Scented Eye Pillows

Gardener's Scrubby Soaps

Patchouli Soaps

Lavender Oatmeal Soaps

Lavender Patchouli soaps

Hemp oil soaps

Lavender Spearmint Salt Soaps

Vanilla Chai Soaps

"I heart MOM" Mother's Day soaps

Carrot shampoo bars

Neem Shampoo Bars

Lemon Vanilla Shampoo Bars

Microwavable Herbal Neck Pillows

Solid Perfumes

Lip Balms