I think that was the verse of an old song and now that I got it in my head I will be humming it all day long. This phenomenon, aptly called an earworm happens when one just can’t get a song (like it or not) out of their head. That is, dear friend, is another story. I do, however, want to talk about the world of insects that seems to intersect occasionally with ours.
I know some of these insects are beneficial. I’ve heard that before and just so you know I don’t kill these invaders, I simply catch and release. Perhaps it’s the eight or more legs, I mean why do they need that may legs? It could be the weird eyes, which even at their tiny size seem way too big. And what emotion other than fear do fangs evoke? Even spider lovers will rip and tear at themselves if they inadvertently walk through a spider web.
The other day my daughter picked up a bug and thrust it towards me. (She was always a tomboy and had nerves of steel) She told me to smell. Smell a bug; she had to be kidding right? I am nothing but trusting and naïve, so I did as she asked.
I have raised kids and changed thousands of diapers in my day. I have wiped up pet messes. I have cleaned out litter boxes way before scoop able litter came in to vogue. I have had babies upchuck on my best dress, and a daughter with projectile vomit. Nothing, and I mean nothing could cause a gag reflex in me, until now.
A stinkbug aptly named for the revolting odor they conjure up at the slightest interference in their personal space. No matter how ironclad your stomach may be, you will gag. You will retch, and you may even dry heave.
So last night sitting on my sofa and watching a little television before bed, I heard something fly and hit the lamp base. A stinkbug! I called my Tomboy daughter and asked her what I should do. She told me not to squash it. Well, duh!
I honestly considered letting it just stay there and hope that it found it’s way out. And then I had visions of me, accidently sitting on it when it moved from the lamp base to the sofa. What if it flew (yes they fly) upstairs and into my bedroom? Something had to be done and soon.
I retrieved a paper cup and a piece of paper. Like an expert, I scooped the little guy into the cup and without so much as a sniff I tossed him outside. Oh yes, I tossed the cup too; I wasn’t falling for that again.
p.s. I read that stinkbugs are not native to Virginia and recently migrated here in the 90's. It figures!
Oh dear, I'm glad we don't have stinkbugs here! Spiders are bad enough! Have a nice weekend, hopefull, bugfree! Valerie
ReplyDeleteGlad we don't get stinkbugs up here in NY either....But I would like to borrow your daughter the next time something "scary" despite it's minuscule size gets into my home!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if we get stink bugs here or not. What does one look like? Funny post.
ReplyDeleteYou can keep the stink bug....we have wolf spiders (you don't want to know) here in Maine. You should see one of those on your ceiling. (shudder)
ReplyDeleteWe have stinkbugs here in SE PA aplenty. I think they are native to Asia. We just started getting them two years ago. To me they stink horribly but not enough to make me gag. My daughter reminded me how much fresh cilantro smells like their stink, now I no longer grow or eat cilantro.
ReplyDeleteDrowning them is the best stink-free way to dispose of them so they are not free to breed more stinkbugs although they seem to drown slower in the winter when they are sluggish. In the fall when they sense winter approaching they will mob the sunny side of houses trying to find cracks (they can make themselves paper thin to get in) to invade for a winter hibernation spot.
When they start clustering on the house I save a can to fill with water then put it just beneath where they are clinging & go near them with my hand. They are rather cumbersome heavy flyers & must drop to start flying. They go right into the can to avoid my hand. I probably killed over 1000 this year this way. Beats having to scrub the side of the house after using a flyswatter which is what I did last year.
Funny post Crystal! You were so nice to save the stink bug! I don't think we have them here? I was reading what skeleton in my closet said, very interesting! Take Care and Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteI really feel the same, should be a factor in education since childhood. A greeting.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, do I love your stories.
ReplyDeleteI felt like I was in the room with you..love your gift of words.
That was a very clever and humane way to dispose of the stink bug. We had our first one in our living room a few weeks ago. We didn't know what it was, so unfortunetly, my husband smashed it. We quickly found out what it was! They need to have a warning light flashing : )
ReplyDeleteyuch! we have them, too! These things are giant! and ugly! tI have heard they try to come in to get warm, not sure if that is true...but they are not wanted in my house either....love this post! good way to dispose, too! hee! have a great dayxo
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