bug cycles

this winter it is box elder bugs. when the weather fluctuates they are around the house (inside). last fall there were a large number around the outside of the house so i figured there would be some coming in as the house is not very well sealed up in some places (it is a lot better now than it was before).

some winters there are more stink/squash bugs.

sometimes there are more of the asian lady bugs.

Mom and i have agreed that box elder bugs are much nicer than the other two.

a few flies, pillbugs and spiders are also in residence at times. i don't mind the jumping spiders or the pillbugs. they don't get in food (or at least they haven't yet :) ) or cause other issues. the house spiders are wispy and fine almost invisible to see. i don't much mind them either as they will capture and eat the other bugs if they can. jumping spiders and the larger hunting tunnel web spiders i'll put back outside in the warmer season. i don't find them too often the rest of the season.

today is cold, sunny and had a beautiful sunrise and early morning. managed to get a few bean pictures i find more acceptable than others i've taken recently.

mid-winter chores are actually getting done for a change. shredded a lot of old papers (which means i actually went through them finally so i could shred them). more to go, i've filled up a bucket and a half (6 gallon buckets, well compressed) so far. the worms will be happy in time when those get put in the worm farm or used outside.

i've finally started actually picking hardware bits for a newer computer. which is the first time i've committed myself to making a choice in this matter. i've been dithering way too long on this... prices and performance are finally getting what i want into my zone. :)

what are you up to in the mid-winter while waiting for it to warm up outside?

and there's another bug on the window...

songbird

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songbird
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If I find a spider in the house, it's usually a recluse hunting for a warmer place to stay. They get squished on site!

Reply to
Muggles

Muggles wrote: ...

those are not common in this area, but they can be found at times.

songbird

Reply to
songbird

When it's cold, I'm handling firewood and stoking a wood-fired heater, covering and uncovering a few garden items: Eggplant, strawberries and, on the coldest nights, English peas. Have spinach and carrot seedlings. Deciding on when & where for more spinach, more carrots, more mustard greens, more turnips and (in February or so) more peas. Winter came late this year, so onions, spinach and carrots got a late start. The fall-planted mustard greens have bolted and are in full bloom, to the delight of the hardy insects. Won't need that bed until much later in the year so the butterfly fodder is safe 'til then. That Damned Truck died months ago and must be replaced before next firewood and manure hauling season. Bought a car, primarily to avoid walking; I truly hate walking. First sedan since can't remember when. Don't like sedans (they don't haul anything but asses) but gave up looking for a suitable station wagon. This one's an aging but unusually well preserved Mercedes-Benz (W124 chassis, 260E) which may evolve into another hobby.... This is my third M-B (I'm getting pretty old) so I guess I'm either discerning and discriminating or, more likely, a damned slow learner.... Can't just run to the import parts emporium out here in the disappearing boonies so I'm ordering in a selection of user-replaceable parts without which it won't operate: Radiator hoses, belt, distributor cap, etc. Items for which a person who truly hates to walk doesn't want to wait ;-) The raccoon infestation has lightened up a bit but they're still around. In the process of befriending a "new" stray cat. He's made it as far as the front porch, after very many days. This cat makes a total of eight. I'm popular with the nearby vet. I can't believe I'm putting out ±$100/month just for systemic flea and parasite jive: "Revolution"?expensive but effective stuff. I'd broadcast nematodes in the "yard" to eat the fleas but I'd have to cover at least two acres, I'd estimate, plus nobody can tell me what _else_ the nematodes eat so. Besides, I'd still have to address hearworms and intestinal parasites and they just won't listen.

Reply to
derald

strawberries don't need covering if they're not near blooming.

perhaps you can pick up a small trailer instead? for the price difference might be worth considering. and/or just have stuff delivered. especially when you consider what it costs for insurance and maint these days...

you are kind, but i suppose it also makes sure that any other kitties around aren't getting diseases.

the other evening we had some friends over for dinner and he flat out said that if i see any feral cats i should shoot them immediately. we have the semi-feral kitty we see once in a while, but i'm pretty sure that is the neighbor's cat coming through to supplement the diet (we usually have small and larger critters it can catch). i couldn't shoot any of them anyways. i have a hard enough time killing a bug let alone anything bigger.

the only time i've ever tried to talk to them it has been in barftalk and, no, i don't think they understood that either... :)

songbird

Reply to
songbird

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