Can I be the crank that says "nooooo, don't plant ligustrum!" ? Having walked through thickets of it and other invasives in remote places in east Texas it is on my never plant, ever, ever, ever list. How about a nice wax myrtle??? I am sure there are other alternatives than ligustrum.
I'm sure I'm poking the hornets nest because I know there are gardeners out there who are die hard about some of the invasives that are planted in their gardens and will never give them up no matter what cost they do to the environment, but you are a spokesperson for gardening and people listen to you and what you do.
A handy trick for catching fruit flies is pouring a small amount of red wine into a class, putting some plastic wrap on top and securing with a rubberband. Poke several holes in it with a small pin, big enough for the flies to get in, and then the flies will generally drown in the wine. Has worked for me several times when I've had fruit fly problems.
Signed up for Arbor Gate next weekend. And you are right, they have the best workers. If you've never been to Maas Nursery down in Seabrook they are also one to go to.
