Leaves on all of my Elm trees (I have 15-20 or so of 30-40 year old Elm trees) and many others in town are being eaten by the insects in these pictures. Are these Elm Beetles? How do we, and can we control them? will the trees die? Since it is all over Golconda does everyone have to treat the same way at the same time to get rid of them?

Thank you

Droppings by front door each morning when we wake for about a year now.  Tried mouse traps and don't catch anything so don't think it is mice. A friend has the same in Washoe and says she thinks they are bat guano? They are .25" about each. We have nothing in the eves above the door and have not seen bats? 

Carole does not have an email address so I will have to pass the answer along to her. Humboldt Extension
The phone number does belong to Carole however.

Hello! I'm wondering--can I plant a cherry tree (maybe Bali/evans or Northstar) in the month of August? I'd heard it was important to plant in spring to give trees enough time to situate themselves before winter. But I'm wondering if I get a youngish potted tree and plant mid-august, will it be okay?

I often drive on OR-164 between Jefferson and I-5. There are quite a few bee hives near the road and they have what looks like dark brown glass bottles on the hive top. There are one at each corner and they look like they are upside down with the bottle opening in the hive. Why are these bottles there?

My lawn was laid in 1999. It's heavy clay. Every fall we aerate it. This year it seems very lumpy (like maybe the cores did not break down or there is small lumps from insects or worms). Is there something I can put down to soften the soil or perhaps thatching would help break up the lumps? Top soil is not realistic as I have 2/3 acre! Any advice would ne greatly appreciated!