Re: "Interesting" vistor in compost pile

bullfrogbabe 9/6/2010, 3:58 pm

The original speciman that started out this thread sure looks like a grub...aka some sort of beetle larval stage. We get smaller versions from the various beetles we have here that eat the roots of grass or burrow into old stumps.

Retired Member 1 9/7/2010, 9:22 am

bullfrogbabe wrote:The original speciman that started out this thread sure looks like a grub...aka some sort of beetle larval stage. We get smaller versions from the various beetles we have here that eat the roots of grass or burrow into old stumps.

Well, yeah -- if you'd read a few posts further down, you would have seen a pic of the adult -- a rhino beetle. I'd still rather them than a 4-5" bright yellow slug!

Folks, I ended up pulling 26 larvae from that one compost pile--that was one busy beetle mama. Rolling Eyes

Half are in another compost pile and half went to grub/beetle heaven. I figured a dozen rhino beetles would be enough for me!

Megan 9/7/2010, 10:55 am

Oh, yuck!

SFG in Chicago 9/7/2010, 12:04 pm

I lived my whole life in FL until recently, I know all about those palmetto bugs. I'll never forget the day in the 2nd grade, while we were saying the pledge to the flag one dropped from the ceiling into my teachers hair. You can imagine it was hilarious to a room full of 2nd graders!

Actually the bugs here in IL are just as bad if not worse than FL. We have a really bad fly problem in the summer. They're worse than any bug problem I ever had in FL.

LaFee 9/7/2010, 12:54 pm

Oh goody. We could color-coordinate our slugs.

Here's one of the monsters I had to deal with this spring -- one of my "frat boys":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Arion_rufus_%28Dourbes%29.jpg

Beer doesn't kill them....they drink it and party harder. Ugh.

junequilt 9/7/2010, 1:40 pm

Yesterday I watered several of our 4x4 beds. One of them is largely populated with a rambling tomatillo. After I had spent quite a bit of time bent over soaking the mix under the tomatillo, I straightened up and suddenly caught sight of something green on my shoulder. It surprised more than frightened me, but I guess I gave a bit of a shriek, because DH came running. It was a big tobacco hornworm -- must've been on the tomatillo -- inching its way down my shoulder. Ecccch! "Interesting" vistor in compost pile - Page 2 Icon_tongue

DH dispatched him (or her) neatly with scissors. I didn't even get slimed in the process!

Megan 9/7/2010, 5:51 pm

Ugh! I (almost) wish I had that problem... my tomatillos aren't doing well.

Retired Member 1 9/8/2010, 9:22 am

junequilt wrote:Yesterday I watered several of our 4x4 beds. One of them is largely populated with a rambling tomatillo. After I had spent quite a bit of time bent over soaking the mix under the tomatillo, I straightened up and suddenly caught sight of something green on my shoulder. It surprised more than frightened me, but I guess I gave a bit of a shriek, because DH came running. It was a big tobacco hornworm -- must've been on the tomatillo -- inching its way down my shoulder. Ecccch!

DH dispatched him (or her) neatly with scissors. I didn't even get slimed in the process!

Oh, my -- I think I would have died on the spot. I handle them with gloves, but to have one on me? Bletch!

middlemamma 9/8/2010, 12:32 pm

Holy Schmoly.....yuk yuk yuk....never seen a slug like that....ew ew ew.

Well...I guess everywhere has it's bugs....and we get used to 'em don't we?

I imagine on some level although not good for our gardens all these critters play a role. I just wisg they would play it away from me. LOL

LaFee 9/8/2010, 12:36 pm

The good news is that I also have hedgehogs...who consider slugs to be a delicacy, and turn up their noses at tomatoes and lettuce!

Ha-v-v 9/9/2010, 10:20 am

junequilt wrote:Yesterday I watered several of our 4x4 beds. One of them is largely populated with a rambling tomatillo. After I had spent quite a bit of time bent over soaking the mix under the tomatillo, I straightened up and suddenly caught sight of something green on my shoulder. It surprised more than frightened me, but I guess I gave a bit of a shriek, because DH came running. It was a big tobacco hornworm -- must've been on the tomatillo -- inching its way down my shoulder. Ecccch!

DH dispatched him (or her) neatly with scissors. I didn't even get slimed in the process!

Ok the "bit of a shriek" lolololol from me would have been a full on scream, then I would flick it off and gross myself out some more. lololololol Man !!!
Ha-v-v

LaFee 9/9/2010, 11:01 am

Insert visions of Ha-v-v doing the heebie-jeebie dance. bounce

Odd Duck 9/13/2010, 4:57 pm

You know, slugs are pretty gross and I would likely do a short heebie jeebie shudder from a big slug or a big tomato worm, but a big spider would get me full on heebie jeebied! Especially an unexpected spider.

junequilt 9/13/2010, 5:35 pm

Gosh, I guess it's a good thing I didn't take photos of the golden orb spider girl who guarded my tomatoes and peppers for most of the summer! About a week after I noticed she'd spun an egg sac, she disappeared. Hopefully she (or her offspring) will be back next year! But NOT on me -- I draw the line there. "Interesting" vistor in compost pile - Page 2 Icon_tongue

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