The Helper

  A lot of folks look at critters as more a nuisance than a help especially when those critters are of the creepy-crawly sort.  Let one insect invade the garden and toxic chemicals are dumped by the boatload onto the plants.   Let one spider spin a web on the porch and flyswatters and bug sprays are used in force.  Let a spider creep into the house and full out panic ensues.  KILL!  This is all that crosses the mind.  It is a shame as a lot of these critters are more of a help than a hindrance and not all are as creepy as folks imagine.

  We are in a war with termites and wood borers.  While I can be found in the corner rooting for most critters, there are a few that have earned my disdain.  Termites and wood borers are perfectly fine if they stay away from my abode but let them attack the Little Bayou House and something has to be done!  We are doing.  The entire place is being stripped of siding, inspected, sprayed and rebuilt.  It is a time consuming, difficult task but worth the effort.

  Yesterday, I found that we had an army coming to our aid.  This army is made of critter soldiers.  Spiders!  Spiders of every sort are here to lend a helping hand and I appreciate their efforts.  I watched as a spider devoured its prey under the railing on the back porch.  A wood borer had become ensnared in the spider's web and the spider was making quick work of the beast!  Good job, Lady Spider!  She made haste in subduing the critter and then wrapped it in silk.  The wrapped beetle was pulled way into the corner so she could dine at her leisure.  I congratulated her upon her capture and thanked her profusely.  What a big help this spider is!  I ensured her that she would never be harmed and never shooed away from the porch.  She was fully welcome to call the Little Bayou House her home.  

  It seems strange to me that folks will kill every critter without asking if they are friends or foes.  Most spiders fall into the first category.  They are friends.  Without their help, our places would soon fill with unsavory characters that mean harm.  A single spider can catch thousands of nuisance critters during their lifetime.  Yep, Lady Spider can stay!