Spiders or Mosquitoes...Which Do You Prefer?

   With the almost constant rains of spring, mosquitoes are now a huge problem.  The county (and city depending on where you live) used to have leaders smart enough to call for spray trucks to make their rounds at least weekly.  It kept the mosquitoes down somewhat but then folks started complaining about the spray killing the lightning bugs (fireflies for those not in the south) and other critters.   So, in an effort to be "environmentally (and politically) correct" the spraying came to halt.  I agree, the spray used was not species specific so it did kill other critters and something needed to be done but to quit spraying altogether was not the brightest move.  The mosquitoes are now in giant swarms and literally start eating you alive if you are not careful.  There is no entertaining outside which is pretty much mandatory with the pandemic situation that is upon us.  That added another stress on folks.  Anxiety levels are escalating for folks.  Me, not so much as I am accustomed to both being isolated and being with mosquitoes.  I live on the Bayou so both are a constant thing.

  Well, with that onslaught of mosquitoes (and midges) something had to be done.  Now, my life has taken a turn to trying to attract spiders.  I admit to being one of those folks who used to "dust" the cobwebs from every nook and cranny but now those critters are free to web anywhere they please.  Pretty soon, the place is going to look like some horror film set!  Just today, a lovely orchard spider decided to pull her webbing across a potted rose that sits on my outdoor plant shelves.  As I was watering the potted plants, she happily spun her web.  I was all for this so was careful not to disturb her.  She and I will coexist just as I do with the orb weavers that have strung webs across the doors and windows.  These webs give visitors the heebie-jeebies which is all fine and well since no one is supposed to enter anyway...(city mandates about social gatherings and doctor's orders for me.)  The spiders and I have a mutual understanding that they can stay if they do their jobs of catching the biting bugs.  This evening, the small orchard spider had a lovely web that spanned between the rose canes and the night blooming cereus.  She should soon be fat and happy!

For The Want Of Ladybugs!

  For the past few days, I have noticed tiny bugs dropping from trees near the back porch.  At first, it was hard to distinguish these from the pollen and blossom drop from the black gum trees and oak trees. Since the every bit of the porch, Frog Pond and back yard is covered with the greenish yellow pollen, it was difficult to even find the minuscule greenish yellow bugs.  BUT...they were there!  As I worked in the gardens, I would find the little rascals crawling on my shirt, in my hair and even in Ms. Nycto's long black fur.  The cat did not seem to mind but I did!  What were these things and where were they??  

  This morning, I found them.  The two pear trees that flank the back porch were literally crawling with things.  Ugh!  Every leaf, blossom, twig and new shoot was mounded over with bugs.  At least this gave me a closeup view of the critters without them crawling on me.  Aphids!  Millions of aphids!  Aphids everywhere!   Actually, these are green peach aphids.  Stupid aphids!  These are pear trees!  Ok, time to attack the critters that were attacking my trees.

  Since I am not one to douse every plant with some harmful chemical, I had to come up with a more earth friendly spray that would eliminate the bugs but not harm the birds, the cats and, well, me!  While Son repaired the sprayer, I pondered the situation.  It was not long before a solution was found.  The sprayer was filled with a combination of water, dish soap and apple cider vinegar.  The dish soap is a "clean" (pun intended) brand that does not cause problems in the garden.  It would make the vinegar stick to the critter and hopefully kill it.  

  Son volunteered to soak the trees.  He hopped up on the porch rail and started shooting the stuff at the tree.  The stiff south wind aided him in his quest.  The trees were soon covered in what Son was calling "Easter Egg Goop".  (Anything that smells like vinegar reminds him of dying eggs as a kid.)  Once he finished the job, he asked me to spray him.  Hundreds of the little critters were crawling on his shirt.  Since the spray was also "people friendly", I obliged and he soon smelled like an Easter Egg himself!

  The mixture did work and most of the aphids are dead even though they are still plastered to the leaves.  Tomorrow, Son will mix another fine blend and repeat the process.  Hopefully, a million or so aphids will bite the dust and my pear trees will be happier.  I know I will be!  Where are those ladybug swarms when you need them??