posted
I was tending my garden this evening when I noticed several black bugs on my pepper plants. They where exact lady bug size and shape except they where black with white and orange spots. They didn't seem to have done any damage.... I'm wondering if I need to put the vinegar on them. I am new to this area and am not up on the local bug culture yet. We recently found several large brown recluse spiders when cleaning the garage.... YIKES!!!I have little ones. Sorry so long winded... thanks in advance.
Area:West Texas(Snyder), between Midland and Lubbock
* * * * Hook em' Plants: 35 | From: West Texas | Registered: May 2004
| Seeded: 68.228.124.30
posted
they sound like a species of twice stabbed ladybird beetle. they are good guys.. leave them. plus not too many inscts that feed on mint, with the oils in it.
Good luck!!
PS sure they are brown recluse?
* * * * The Buglady Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, www.bugladyconsulting.com Educating the world... one bug at a time Plants: 435 | From: PA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 205.188.116.71
posted
Ok - - going to get shot for this one - but ....
If you actually found a number of brown recluse spiders - - - first, "bug bomb" your home and garage - if you haven't already. Then, I would get either a duck or goose to keep around as a "pet". Let them help keep the spider population under control. My uncle swears by the geese. He used to live in Oklahoma and says his geese used to even catch and eat water mocassins as well as scorpions and other bugs.
Normally I will not kill a spider - even a black widow. But after having seen what a recluse can do - the severe damage that they cause - - I would rather have no bugs (even the "good" ones) than to have one recluse.
Don't know if you know from first hand experience what a recluse bite does - - and I don't want to over alarm you - - - but .......... Take no chances.
But - also from what I know of the recluse (and it is not much) I'd have to second the Buglady's question - are you sure there were several brown recluses?
posted
Thanks for all the help guys. I'll be sure and leave my ladybugs be. As for the spiders... I'm no arachnologist but I'm pretty sure these are brown recluse spiders that I am finding around the house. I included two pictures of one I found in the garage. We just bought the house a few months ago and I have found 3 in the house about 10 in the garage and maybe 20 or so cleaning up around the house. It wouldn't be a big deal but I have a 6 year old girl and a 1 year old boy. What the 6 year old doesn't pick up and play with the baby boy puts in his mouth.
Thanks again and tell me what you think from the photos I took.
code:
* * * * Hook em' Plants: 35 | From: West Texas | Registered: May 2004
| Seeded: 68.228.124.30
Phil and Laura
guest
posted
Hi Clodhopper, glad to have you here, couldn't help asking about:
quote:I'm wondering if I need to put the vinegar on them.
I haven't heard of that, hope you don't do it While they are on your plant... The vinegar willKill your plants! The Blackies are good fellers keep em around and see the post ...WEEZIE ASKED
Seeded: 170.215.46.69
posted
Well, it looks lie a brown recluse but the true way to tell is by looking at their eyes. Brown recluse have just six eyes (most spiders have eight) arranged in three pairs.
So get out your 10X hand lens and take a peek! Bet you did think you would be looking at spider eyes when you got up this morning.
Also were in TX are you exactly?
* * * * The Buglady Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, www.bugladyconsulting.com Educating the world... one bug at a time Plants: 435 | From: PA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 64.12.116.72
posted
On another message board I read a woman was bitten by a spider. She had a weeks stay in the hospital. She will be scarred for life. Please be careful when dealing with spiders like these. hobo spiders and traps gardencrazy
posted
Hey... there are some buddies at TX&M that are interested in your spiders ... they asked where you are.. they are looking to collect them.
Thanks!
* * * * The Buglady Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, www.bugladyconsulting.com Educating the world... one bug at a time Plants: 435 | From: PA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 64.12.116.72
posted
freaky o.O up here, we get these spiders that are shaped and sized just like black widows. The only i reason i can tell that they aren't widows is that they don't have the red spot.
posted
oh my gosh...ewwwe. After giving those TX&M their share...."I" would fumigate...gives me the chills. ....if it were me that garage, house etc. would be closed off and fumigated so fast it would make your head spin. Buglady...would fumigation even work?
* * * * Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.5
posted
Thanks for the help all. Since finding these BRS's around the house I have been doing quite a bit of reading about them and have learned quite a lot. Yes, I have seen some of the disfiguring wounds they leave; that's why I'm worried about one of my children happening along on one. Also I have checked and confirmed they have six eyes. So that brings me to BugLady's question.
I live in Snyder, Texas; and I would be happy to assist anyone in trying to collect specimens. So far I have picked up about 5 dead ones (mostly for proof of what they are), but haven't attempted to catch any live ones. You should tell your friends not to tarry though. I have started taking the measures of clearing up clutter around the outside of the house (woodpiles, lumber, etc...) and spraying around the house with CS Lambda-cyhalothrin. This seems to be having an effect already, because I am finding them dead sometimes instead of alive as always before.
Sorry it took so long to get back with you, the family and I went out of town for the long weekend.
* * * * Hook em' Plants: 35 | From: West Texas | Registered: May 2004
| Seeded: 68.228.124.30
and this is the guy that said if you have any questions you can call him
Scott A. Russell Extension Agent - IPM Texas Cooperative Extension Terry and Yoakum Counties 209 South Fifth Street TX 79316 806-637-4060 Fax 806-637-2588 sarussel@tamu.edu
* * * * The Buglady Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, www.bugladyconsulting.com Educating the world... one bug at a time Plants: 435 | From: PA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 205.188.116.71
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oh my gosh...ewwwe. After giving those TX&M their share...."I" would fumigate...gives me the chills. ![[dunno]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
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