Is there anything you can put in a pond to kill fish parasites? Are the fish fit to eat if they have parasites?

Emmanuel

Parasites are common in many fish species, but don't be alarmed. Fish that have them are safe to eat, but all fish, regardless of whether they have parasites, should be well cooked. There is nothing you can put in a pond to get rid of fish parasites.

Why do ladybugs gather on our windows on warm days in the fall? There are hundreds of them, and they often get in the house and die. Why does this happen?

Luke, 6

Ladybugs congregate in the fall to look for warm or protected areas where they can hibernate. They push their way into homes through cracks and crevices, but they should disappear with the first hard frost. They hibernate until spring.

Ladybugs eat aphids, sap-sucking pests that attack various crops, trees and house plants. In that way, ladybugs are very helpful to farmers and gardeners. A large swarm of ladybugs indicates there were a lot of aphids the previous summer. If you have a lot of ladybugs in your house, simply vacuum them up and release them outside.

What is the rarest duck in Missouri, and what is the most popular duck?

Ruby, 10

The rarest duck in Missouri is one that isn't cooked very well! Seriously, there are several species of ducks that we don't see very often here, such as the black duck and mottled duck. By far, the mallard is the most popular duck among hunters and birdwatchers.

What is the smartest wild animal in Missouri?

John, 9

Because all animals have wits enough to survive where they live, we can't accurately say which animal is the most intelligent. Some animals, for example the wily coyote and the sly fox, have shown the ability to solve problems and to adjust to new situations. These are great survival tools, and many people think these animals are more intelligent than other wild animals.

On the other hand, many people consider owls wise because they have a "knowing" look, and ravens to be smart because they can copy human speech.

It's also likely that one armadillo might be smarter than another. There might be a worm that's dumber than the rest, too.