Week 9-Stink bugs and Butterflies

Usually this time of year, box elder bugs are every where. This year we have been inundated with stink bugs. How they get into the house is a mystery. They are every where. It was suggested the only was to get rid of the stink bugs was to put them into soapy water.  I took a picture of one with the wings out and was amazed with the beautiful design. Now I have been picking them up and throwing them out side.  Maybe they find their  way back in.

(Years ago I found a mouse in the dog’s food bin. I put some nail polish on his back and released the mouse out side. One day later the same mouse was in the food bin again.)

I have asked the stink bugs to leave and they keep showing me they are here.

BRIGHT SPOT!  Thanksgiving day my granddaughters came over to help prepare. A butterfly (hoping it was not a moth) was flying about in my house under the 8 foot skylight. It landed. There were three up near the skylight. We got the ladder and my granddaughter was able to catch them with a cup and release outside. I have really enjoyed the butterflies especially when I found out they are a White Cabbage butterfly. I found out that they were brought into my home by me when I brought in the kale plants that I brought in from my garden. I started pulling the leaves apart and found a butterfly. I picked it up to take over to the sponge I had in sugar water. Well, it fell into the water. I pulled it out and put it on the counter. After a bit, it was on the floor. I then tried putting food for it trying to save it…..do you hear me? I was trying to save the butterfly. It did not work. I was able to release some outside. Six of them stayed to far up under the skylight. One day I was able to get 2 in a cup and took them outside. One flew out and the other flew down and landed on my sock. I came back inside sat down  and left the door open. It crawled around my foot and then flew out the door.  It has been a joyous experience to have such a delicate creature here.

Meanwhile, the stink bugs are still here and keep appearing especially in my office. Each day fewer come to greet me. Very interesting. I am finding more dead ones also.

Maybe someone has some answers, I do not.