Backyard Bystander: Fall Insects Really Bug Me
“Shut the door! Shut the door!” became the ongoing admonition for two weeks.
I’m talking about Load of the Flies.
For some reason a load of those tiny black flies descended upon our house to the point where we banned the use of our door leading to the garage since flies hung out there like delinquents waiting to stir up mischief. They would zip in and loop-the-loop through the rooms, pester us while we quietly sat down to meals, and flitted around windows. The extra fly strips helped but did not deter them.
They would coat the south-facing walls outside, sunbathing, which was their privilege. That is, until I would sit down and try to read a book. They all wanted to hang out with me then. That did not do. Not at all.
Wondering what might have brought on this particular buggy problem, we realized the nearby county fair had recently ended. Supposition: the flies were homeless without the animals and our house seemed handy enough.
I do not like flies. Do not. Do not. Do not.
Once the night temps dropped to the mid thirties the flies packed up and left. However, the onslaught of bark beetles began.
I dislike almost as much as bark beetles. While these beetles have no bite and rarely make a sound (unless trying to land in one’s hair–ewickch), they are still incredibly annoying.
We were unaccustomed to these critters until we moved to the Inland Northwest. Our first house lay in twelve acres of a pine forest and these insects revel in chewing up the bark of said trees. Granted, we landed in the middle of their feasting ground, but they absolutely freaked out my kids. They called them dinosaur bugs and would not venture outside. Here they had scads of forestry playground before them and cowered inside afraid that dinosaur bugs would get them. They did finally get over their fear, although they harbored a resentment towards them. Always. Especially when discovered at the bottom of the glass of milk just finished–ewickch.
Cutting these bugs some lack, they are only harmful to trees (as far as I know); however, they earn their nickname of “stink bug” with good reason. When threatened they raise a pungent smell that lingers. So, squashing them is not advised. They also get into everything: cupboards, drawers, boxes. And milk glasses. Often they are not found until after they are dead. Desiccated little critters that faintly reek. Really not pleasant. Especially discovering one afterwards. At the bottom of your glass. Ewickch.
I’m told they are trying to find a cozy place to live as it gets colder. I’m hoping for they will succumb to the season’s first frost.
It almost makes me thankful for winter. Almost.
Anyone else dealing with autumn’s deluge of insects?
