Grumpy neighbour told neighbour at the back’s sister off because a pine tree that is in our garden has nests of Pine Processionary. Because of the mild weather the caterpillars are descending for the next stage of their life. Unfortunately their hairs are very irritating and at certain stages they can release their hairs into the air. This can be dangerous for animals and humans. Our neighbour’s wife was having problems after dealing with caterpillars in their garden. Mrs. neighbour at the back came to see me last night and explained the situation.
I went round to the town hall (neighbor on the other side!) this morning to talk about what to do and by amazing coincidence there was a man there whose job it is to get rid of pests. The tree can be treated next September. This year is a bad year in the village for these caterpillars, so the town hall is probably going to do something about them too.
I then went to explain what was happening to neighbor at the back’s sister and the wife of grumpy neighbour (fortunately). I will have to make sure nothing is growing near or over the wall that divides us, so hopefully the caterpillars will stay our side.
When I went to make a cup of tea this morning there was a European House Centipede in the sink. They go looking for water and can’t get back up the slippery sides of the sink. I dampened some kitchen roll and hung it over the side of the sink so that he could climb out, which he did. He then kindly dropped down onto the floor so that I could pop a Tupperware container over him, slide some cardboard underneath and let him go outside.
My charming absent minded husband went off to work with my keys (as well as his own). I didn’t realize before today how much I need my keys, especially for going in and out of the garage and opening our postbox.
Dom has been back to Poitiers to catch up with her contacts at the university and see her old buddies. We're picking her up from the station this evening as she’s coming to stay for a couple of nights and goes home on Sunday morning. We’re really looking forward to seeing her again.
Olivier will be home late in the day on Christmas Eve. We haven’t seen him since the summer.
Showing posts with label centipedes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label centipedes. Show all posts
Friday, December 18, 2015
Friday, November 06, 2015
Insects
This last week has been interesting as far as nature is concerned. We’ve had a nest of red-tailed bumblebees in the garden in a wall behind the hedge this year. They are very beautiful and it’s been fascinating to see them coming and going. Rob and I have left them alone, especially after he was stung when he was mowing the lawn near to their nest. Can you imagine how the noise and vibration would seem to them?
This week he was stung again and his leg was quite swollen. I checked up online and that can happen and it’s ok. As it happens they are bees that do not die, they can use their stings over and over. I found this wonderful website all about bees. When the weather gets cool enough the male bee population will die, the old queen will die and the young queens have all ready flown away to make ready for their own colonies next year. I will be sad to see them disappear and feel privileged that they chose our garden.
A couple of mornings ago I found a European House Centipede on a kitchen work surface. These are insects I have a lot of time for as they are excellent hunters and rid the house of just about every insect you can think of. I find a clear Tupperware container and pop it over them and then carefully slide a thin piece of stout card underneath (careful not to trap their legs) and let them free outside.
The next one appeared when I was sat on the toilet and of course feet look like good shelter* on their level. I caught up with this one in the bedroom and popped him outside. We’ve had a very mild autumn so far and it looks as if it is going to end soon if I’m finding them indoors. If you do find one or two it’s an indication that you haven’t got any large infestations of other creepy crawlies in your home. If there is nothing for them to hunt they leave.
*in 1902 an entomologist observed that they frightened the ladies when they headed for the shelter of their skirts
This week he was stung again and his leg was quite swollen. I checked up online and that can happen and it’s ok. As it happens they are bees that do not die, they can use their stings over and over. I found this wonderful website all about bees. When the weather gets cool enough the male bee population will die, the old queen will die and the young queens have all ready flown away to make ready for their own colonies next year. I will be sad to see them disappear and feel privileged that they chose our garden.
A couple of mornings ago I found a European House Centipede on a kitchen work surface. These are insects I have a lot of time for as they are excellent hunters and rid the house of just about every insect you can think of. I find a clear Tupperware container and pop it over them and then carefully slide a thin piece of stout card underneath (careful not to trap their legs) and let them free outside.
The next one appeared when I was sat on the toilet and of course feet look like good shelter* on their level. I caught up with this one in the bedroom and popped him outside. We’ve had a very mild autumn so far and it looks as if it is going to end soon if I’m finding them indoors. If you do find one or two it’s an indication that you haven’t got any large infestations of other creepy crawlies in your home. If there is nothing for them to hunt they leave.
*in 1902 an entomologist observed that they frightened the ladies when they headed for the shelter of their skirts
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)