After a cold and rainy spell for the last days of TGPP season, today the sun came out, the temperature rose into the 70's and the ladybugs/Asian beetles returned to haunt and harass us for who knows how long. It must be something like the swallows returning to Capistrano because these little pests, in horrendously large numbers, descend from someplace and besiege us until at least the first hard freezes or high winds or up to 9 months, whichever comes first.
These pests do serve some worthwhile purpose like eating aphids, mites, and other plant-attracting insects. Karen and I don't grow plants, have no garden, but for some reason the pesky critters take a liking to our motor home and have decided they want to take up residence with us. I don't know why they bother me so much and cause me to become unusually "frazzled", but they do every year about this time.
Just like the chiggers, the current little demons, seem to impact almost everyone, but the natives don't seem to complain openly about them, while us "fureners" squall and moan and complain without ceasing. I guess there are some things you just take in stride and consider as the price you have to pay for living in Arkansas; the list is pretty long and includes: snakes, weather warnings, ice storms, black mold, heat and humidity, cold and humidity, University of Arkansas football, ticks, armadillos........
We are looking for a house-not-on-wheels so we can become permanent Arkansas residents temporarily. I guess that means we have to put our heads down, do the work assigned to us and let be what will be and learn to love those insidious spotted varmints. Help us, Lord.
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At least you have some cool weather. I'd trade these mosquitoes for some chiggers. You can spray for the chiggers but there is really no relief from those blood suckers, nearly year round. Glad you are making it OK. Hope your hypochondria is just a symptom and not a reality. Take Care - Bill & Susan Rigby
ReplyDeleteBTW, Rob told me that if you squash those lady bugs, it attracts even more of them, like lemmings, I suppose. He was careful to remove them without killing them if possible.
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