probably too much oil in it. i know other small animals cannot have cedar around them. like hamsters or rodents because of the oils and dust is bad for their respiratory system. I would think it would just be best to stear clear of it and use pine or fir even red wood would be better that cedar i would think. Here is a link that might be useful: TheItalian Garden

My garden is quiet, too. I have always been proud in the amount of bees, wasps, hornets, butterfles, etc, attracted to my flower and vegetgable garden. (Even though I get stung). We are organic gardeners and I never spray pesticides. Last year we counted more than a dozen different species on my gooseneck loosetrife at the same time. This morning I saw one yellow jacket and one little white moth. I live next to a pond and I don't even have any dragon flies - in the past, there is almost always one perched on every fence post. I haven't even seen a hummingbird and I ususlly see those every day in the summer - dive bombing me if I get too close to the bee balm. We had several cases of EEE last year in our area and I know the towns sprayed last year and the state is offering free spraying for residents this year. Could this be killing off our beneficials too? I have a lot of melon plants waiting for pollenation and I especially miss my big bumble bee buddies. If you listen, you can hear them saying yum, yum yummm! in the hollyhocks. I am worried about the future. What can we do?

I have a lot of bumble bees around my Salvias, and they are relatively harmless, unless they are in their nests and you cover up their exit with your hand by accident. You will get a bite which will disappear after fifteen minutes unless you have an allergy or sensitivity to stings. For many on the east coast, these are usually carpenter bees, with shiny black bums. They bore half-inch holes in wooden structures like my nursery tables, Which are made from pressure treated 2 x 4 timber. Their exit holes are on the lower surface, which are not in my field of vision. They can be rather damaging to building eaves and other exposed wooden horizontal structures facing the ground. They also are pretty rough on long-tubed flowers like Salvias and will prevent seed set. When flying, they may dart and hover in front of you, but a wave of your hand will send them flying. You will also see the males darting and diving after each other, similar to feuding male hummingbirds.

The flowers are great but the spots are driving me batty. I moved it closer to the fan and away from the light, as recommended. The newest growth was beautiful until this weekend. The spots are moving in again. Sigh.